We recently connected with Meghan Punda and have shared our conversation below.

Meghan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I had been working at a private oncology practice in Bethesda, MD. I was always busy and often double-booked on most days. Then COVID hit! Since we were in oncology, we couldn’t just shut down; we kept going, but it was a difficult time both professionally and personally. I had two teenagers at home, and remote schooling was not going smoothly.

One day, while driving home from work, I had an aha moment. I knew I needed a change and was feeling burned out from treating metastatic cancer. I trusted my gut instinct that change would be okay, and everything would work out. Several months later, I resigned from my oncology position and decided to start Nourished + Well.

Meghan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been a nurse practitioner for over twenty years. Most of my career was dedicated to treating oncology patients. Despite my commitment to patient care, life threw me a curveball after I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition in my 30s. Traditional medicine, while effective for many, didn’t offer the solution I needed, so I began a journey to discover the true cause of my symptoms.

I turned to functional medicine, a science-based, patient-centered approach to health that looks at how all systems in the body are connected. Instead of treating my symptoms separately, I could take a comprehensive approach that includes both nutrition and lifestyle changes.

After restoring my own health, I wanted to focus on addressing root causes to help others. Many of my clients face hormonal challenges, digestive problems, autoimmune conditions, and resistance to weight loss. I take pride in using a bio-individual approach for each person, emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and hormonal health to enhance overall wellness.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business at 47 may seem intimidating, and at times it was. I transitioned from being an employee at a large medical practice to running my own business. I immediately had to learn various skills, including website design, blogging, social media algorithms, and branding.

Sometimes, I felt exhausted and overwhelmed, but I kept telling myself to keep going, and as I did, I figured out one thing after another. Running a business can be fun, but it’s also challenging work. I thought, “I’ll be my own boss and set my own hours,” but the truth is, your new hours will be much longer than you expected.

I’m now five years in, and because of my resilience, I continue to grow my business, connect with other clinicians, and work with some amazing clients. At the end of the day, I love that I’m helping people achieve a healthier state of well-being.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Success goes beyond just training. The real key is connecting with clients and educating them about their health. Sometimes, our roles involve acting as detectives or therapists. Building that connection helps people trust and understand you, which encourages growth and often leads to better health.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nourishedandwellco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishedandwellco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nourishedandwellco/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-punda-115473a/

Image Credits

Market Street Studio