Shanais Pelka is the co-founder of WildType. She's an herbalist, nutritionist, and product formulator with 25 years of experience working with medicinal herbs, functional mushrooms, adaptogens, and superfoods.
Her path into natural medicine began in 2002, after she experienced a life-threatening reaction to an antibiotic and developed severe idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Her hematologist told her there was no cure and that removing her spleen may be the only way to restore her platelet levels.
Shanais was determined to find another path. She began studying Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and started an herbal regimen of her own. That experience changed the direction of her life and shaped a belief that still guides her work today: the body has a remarkable ability to heal when it's given the right tools.
She went on to earn a Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition, a Master of Science in Herbal Medicine, a Master of Science in Education, and an MBA. She also spent years working in a clinical setting, helping patients re-establish balance and work toward optimal health.
Shanais formulated and launched her first adrenal support supplement in 2003. In 2014, she founded Nii Foods, creator of the Nii Bar. This led to an appearance on the Food Fortune Show, multiple appearances on QVC, and products carried nationwide by retailers including Sprouts, Jimbo's, Costco, New Seasons Market, and Natural Grocers. Over the past two decades, she has formulated numerous supplements, including award-winning products found on the shelves of major retailers.
WildType grew from the same curiosity and passion that has guided Shanais throughout her career. When she began digging into the research on micro- and nanoplastics, she saw how widespread these exposures had become. Even people doing their best to live naturally and reduce plastic couldn't avoid them completely.
As a mother of three and grandmother to one, the issue felt deeply personal. She wanted something better for her family and the larger community. She created WildType to offer a practical way to support the body through the everyday exposures that have become nearly impossible to escape.
Today, Shanais is building a homestead in Central Florida, where she grows herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees and cares for a growing collection of farm animals. When she isn't researching, formulating, or working around the homestead, you can usually find her hiking with her dogs, hanging out with her kids, cooking, fermenting something in the kitchen, or dominating on the pickleball court.