Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub’s wife, Joanna Zanella, has taken to social media to promote wellness industry services while discussing her daughter’s medical diagnosis.
In a video posted online, Zanella reveals that her young daughter has been diagnosed with hypotonia, a condition characterized by decreased muscle tone. However, rather than simply sharing her family’s medical journey, the disclosure serves as a vehicle to promote a wellness laboratory and its proprietor.
“Back has given out twice, her joints had been really hurting, just a bunch of stuff that just wasn’t normal,” Zanella states in the footage, describing her daughter’s symptoms before launching into an endorsement. “I had Danielle, my dear friend Danielle Johnson at Wellness Lab. Here I am with Danielle at Wellness Lab. She is my gatekeeper. She has been the one to fix me these past couple weeks.”
The promotion takes a turn as Zanella criticizes conventional medical care. “This is where the medical system fails us a lot,” she declares, before revealing her mother’s diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease.
She then adds, “General doctors don’t know what they’re doing and they don’t know how to listen to their patients, but it’s super easy peasy. I’m gonna tag her, Danielle Johnson at Wellness Lab. You’re welcome, girls. Here’s my secret.”
Zanella’s entry into influencer-style health advice comes at a turbulent time for the Schaub family. Reports suggest they are relocating from their Austin, Texas home, which has been listed for approximately $3 million.
At the same time, sources claim the podcast host’s business ventures have seen declining viewership and revenue, with his operation shifting from professional studio spaces to what his own producer described as less-than-ideal recording facilities.
This isn’t the first instance of the Schaub family leveraging personal medical situations for promotional purposes. Brendan Schaub previously made claims about his son’s epilepsy being addressed through CBD oil, a narrative he incorporated into sponsored content.
“Some blog or like some form where there’s other parents who kids suffered from this and they go, do not give your kid the prescriptions that the doctors are giving you, try CBD oil,” Schaub said in previous footage. “My son’s never had one since. Since he gave me this, it’s because of CBD oil. He’s never had one since.”
The former UFC heavyweight has also promoted blue scorpion venom, claiming it restored his physical abilities. “Before I started taking, I couldn’t hold the baseball glove for Tiger, I couldn’t play catch. I benched this morning,” he stated in promotional material.
Schaub’s track record with product endorsements has raised concerns beyond family health claims. He recently promoted a beverage a beverage that asserts it can reduce blood al**hol content by up to 50% in 30 minutes.
The FDA has reportedly opened an investigation into the company following multiple complaints about its scientific claims. Documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests show regulators questioning whether the product’s assertions are even physiologically possible.
One formal complaint filed with the FDA noted that the drink’s claim about converting consumed beverages “into sugar thus detoxing blood alc**ol levels” is “simply not possible.” Additional concerns were raised about whether intoxicated individuals might operate vehicles after consuming the product, mistakenly believing their impairment had been significantly reduced.
The sole physician serving on the board of directors resigned earlier this year amid the mounting scrutiny.
