Navigating Life as an Educator, Elemental Wisdom Carrier, and Reality TV Persona with Daniele Gates
In this episode, Tara Magalski sat down with Daniele Gates—educator, entrepreneur, mother, world traveler, podcaster, and reality TV personality from "90 Day Fiancé." Daniele’s journey from New York City educator to CEO of Yinsa and Live Yinsa Collective is a testament to the power of self-healing, resilience, and authenticity. This episode dives deep into holistic healing, Ayurveda, the realities of entrepreneurship, and the transformative lessons learned from reality TV.
From Educator to Healer: Daniele’s Transformational Journey
Daniele’s story begins in the classrooms of New York City, where she spent nearly two decades as an educator. The stress and demands of teaching led her to yoga, which became her sanctuary and the first step on her healing path. Completing her yoga teacher training in 2014, Daniele discovered Ayurveda—a holistic system of medicine that would become the foundation of her future business and personal transformation.
Yoga as a Gateway: Yoga provided Daniele with tools to reconnect with her body and begin healing from childhood trauma.
Ayurveda’s Holistic Framework: Ayurveda offered a comprehensive approach to health, addressing diet, sleep, movement, and emotional well-being.
Entrepreneurial Evolution: What began as an Ayurvedic skincare brand grew into a retreat company, online membership platform, and private coaching practice.
If you’re feeling burned out or disconnected, explore yoga or another mind-body practice as a first step.
Consider learning about Ayurveda to gain a deeper understanding of your unique constitution and how to restore balance.
Building a Holistic Business: Challenges and Solutions
Running a wellness business from an island paradise like the Dominican Republic sounds idyllic, but Daniele is candid about the logistical hurdles—especially shipping and product accessibility. She’s pivoted by focusing on in-person sales at retreats and considering a local brick-and-mortar space.
Shipping Challenges: High costs and logistical headaches can limit product reach.
Hands-On Creation: Daniele finds joy in making products for herself and her family, but scaling up requires balancing creativity with business demands.
In-Person Experiences: Offering products at retreats aligns with her lifestyle and deepens the client experience.
If you’re a wellness entrepreneur, consider hybrid models—combining online offerings with in-person experiences.
Focus on what brings you joy in your business, and delegate or streamline tasks that drain your energy.
The Power of Retreats: Self-Healing and Pancha Karma
Daniele’s retreats are designed to empower participants with self-healing tools and immersive Ayurvedic experiences. Upcoming offerings include a self-healing retreat in Bali and a Pancha Karma retreat in India.
Self-Healing Retreats
Focus: Teaching modalities like tapping, Reiki, Japa meditation, and yoga that participants can use independently.
Consistency Over Quick Fixes: True healing comes from regular, inward-focused practices, not chasing external treatments.
Empowerment: The goal is to equip attendees with lifelong skills for self-care.
Pancha Karma Retreats
Focus: A 12-14 day immersive detox and nourishment process guided by Ayurvedic doctors.
Personalized Healing: Treatments are tailored based on dosha assessments, blood work, and physical observations.
Balancing Tradition and Comfort: Daniele strives to honor authentic Ayurvedic practices while meeting the comfort expectations of Western clients.
When choosing a retreat, look for programs that teach you skills you can integrate into daily life.
Prepare for immersive healing experiences by learning the basics of Ayurveda or yoga beforehand.
Ayurveda and Elemental Healing: Practical Client Guidance
Daniele’s coaching blends Ayurveda with astrology, helping clients understand their elemental makeup and how it influences health.
Elemental Assessments: Combining natal chart readings with dosha analysis makes ancient wisdom accessible and relatable.
Start with the Basics: Most clients see profound change by improving sleep, hydration, and nutrition before adding advanced practices.
Realistic Change: Daniele encourages clients to set boundaries and make changes that fit their unique circumstances.
Begin your healing journey by tracking and improving your sleep, hydration, and diet.
Use tools like astrology or dosha quizzes to gain insight into your natural tendencies and imbalances.
Consistency, Boundaries, and the Realities of Healing
Both Daniele and Tara emphasize that healing is a lifestyle, not a one-time event. Consistency, patience, and boundaries are essential.
Long-Term Commitment: Real transformation requires at least six months of consistent effort.
Boundaries as Self-Care: Setting limits with work, family, and technology is crucial for mental and physical health.
Gradual Progress: Small changes, like cutting out soft drinks or improving sleep, can lead to bigger shifts.
Commit to a daily or weekly self-care routine, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.
Set clear boundaries around work and personal time to protect your energy.
Environmental Wellness: Navigating Modern Health Challenges
The conversation highlights the impact of environmental toxins—air pollution, mold, and even seaweed blooms—on health.
Environmental Awareness: Modern life exposes us to toxins that require proactive detoxification and self-care.
Location Matters: Living near the sea and in alignment with natural rhythms can support well-being, but even paradise has its challenges.
Regularly detox your environment: use air purifiers, avoid VOCs, and be mindful of water and food quality.
Spend time in nature and align your routines with natural cycles (e.g., sunlight exposure, sleep patterns).
Reality TV as a Mirror: Shadow Work and Self-Awareness
Daniele’s experience on "90 Day Fiancé" was both challenging and transformative, accelerating her personal growth and self-awareness.
Public Scrutiny as a Teacher: Being on camera forced Daniele to confront her own shadows—anger, anxiety, and boundaries.
Authenticity Over Perfection: She rejects the “perfect healer” image, choosing to show up honestly, even on bad days.
Shadow Work: Reality TV became a form of accelerated shadow work, revealing patterns and triggers that might otherwise go unnoticed.