We were lucky to catch up with Dakota Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dakota, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking the risk of having a home birth was the most life-changing decision I’ve ever made. Some might see it as a big risk, others not so much. Personally, the idea of labor and birth terrified me, especially since it was my first pregnancy. My husband deployed to Japan when I was 6 and a half months pregnant. Wanting a natural birth, I veered away from the idea of a hospital birth. Two months into his deployment, we decided on a home birth. My drive was for a natural birth and a safe space to be vulnerable, surrounded by people I love and trust. I found a midwife and prepared for labor physically, mentally, and emotionally. Accepting my husband wouldn’t be there for the birth was tough. Around 35 weeks, I was diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia, adding another layer of fear.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day of 2023, at 38 weeks and 6 days, I went into labor, lasting 25 hours. Grateful for my best friend, a NICU nurse, and an amazing doula, my midwife arrived just in time for my daughter’s birth in my 600 sq ft San Diego apartment. Despite hemorrhaging and losing 1500 mL of blood, my midwife handled it at home. Terrifying as it was, I was just grateful to have my baby safe.
My husband watched the birth on FaceTime from the jungle in Japan. Choosing a home birth was a risk, but trusting in my strength, my body, and my birthing team, I had the birth I desired. Yes, there were challenges, but the experience made me stronger as a wife, as a mother, and as a woman.

Dakota, 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?

My name is Dakota Smith, I am a Navy Hospital Corpsman with 3.5 years of service. My journey started in a hematology/oncology ward, where I discovered exceptional leaders, forged enduring friendships, and met my husband William.

In January 2022, I hit a rock bottom physically, mentally and emotionally. I made a life-changing decision to quit nicotine, alcohol, and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Quitting cold turkey, I explored yoga, aerial arts, and creative pursuits, breaking free from old habits. Intermittent fasting, nutrient-rich eating, and prioritizing mental well-being became cornerstones of my transformation. I also turned inward and started doing inner work on myself mentally, spiritually and emotionally. This was the beginning of my holistic health journey.

In May 2022, I was overjoyed to find out I was pregnant, crediting my swift conception to these positive changes.
However, my pregnancy journey took a challenging turn. While deployed on a Naval hospital ship in Guam, I learned about my pregnancy, leading to my return home. Married in July, my husband and I faced separation as our duty stations changed. Severe perinatal depression plagued me, intensified by the distance from family and my husband.

Administrative issues delayed my housing allowance, leaving me initially without suitable accommodation. Moving in with a coworker, I faced an insect-infested and ammonia-filled environment, left with no other choice. Later, I found refuge in another friend’s apartment, though privacy and comfort were limited. As I approached the third trimester, my husband left on a six-month deployment to Japan.

Finally securing my housing allowance, I moved into my own place, overcoming numerous challenges. This pregnancy journey, filled with hardships, has been a test of resilience and strength as I prepared for the arrival of my baby.

These transformative experiences have fueled my passion for perinatal, postpartum, and motherhood support. What brings me immense joy is not only providing mamas with insights and tips for navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood but ensuring they feel truly seen and heard.

As a certified health coach, registered medical assistant, and currently studying to be a holistic health practitioner and a certified childbirth educator, I empower mamas to reclaim personal power through techniques like education, meditation, hypnosis, self-concept work, mindset training, and more.
Whether guiding them through the fears of labor, the overwhelm of new motherhood, or uncertainties in parenting, I’m committed to helping them find their way.

Beyond my successes—a triumphant home birth, being a CEO of two companies, and a fulfilling Naval career—my proudest role is being a mother to Aliyah and soon-to-be son, Elijah. Motherhood has been a profound teacher, instilling in me patience, compassion, empathy, and grace.

Acknowledging the challenges, I embrace the beauty and rewards of motherhood. This is why I’ve chosen to empower mamas through their unique journeys of motherhood.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

In the world of medicine, especially in holistic health and supporting moms, success comes from being genuinely passionate about what you share, embracing compassion without judgment, and showing up as your authentic self every day. Having a real desire to witness positive changes in your clients’ lives and empower them to live as their healthiest, happiest selves is the key to personal fulfillment and success.

In my three years in the medical field, working in various settings, I’ve encountered knowledgeable professionals who lacked compassion. I’ve seen patients firing doctors because they didn’t feel seen or heard, and witnessed avoidable mistakes due to a lack of awareness and care.
It made me question why some chose the medical field if they weren’t happy or fulfilled, and how their lack of empathy affected both patients and coworkers.

On the bright side, for those aspiring to work in healthcare, whether conventional, natural, or integrative, success comes from genuine passion, compassion without judgment, and authenticity. If you truly care about helping people and let your authentic self shine, success is inevitable!

How’d you meet your business partner?

This story holds a special place in my heart because my business partner is none other than my amazing husband, William. We both serve in the Navy and happened to find ourselves working in the same inpatient hospital ward in San Diego.

During my first week there, he was on leave, so I didn’t see him initially. But about a week into night shifts, I noticed this tall, handsome man with dark features. I couldn’t help but do a double take. Soon after, my coworkers mentioned a HM3 Smith who was returning from leave. That same night, our paths finally crossed, and we started talking.

We discovered we had so much more in common than we realized. Coming out of long and toxic relationships, we bonded over our shared experiences. Our interests aligned, and we just clicked.

Fast forward a year, and I found out I was pregnant. We got married, embracing the journey of parenthood and marriage together. Both driven to be business owners and create a legacy for our children, we launched our first business, Regreen Wellness LLC, in May 2023. Our goal is to provide holistic solutions through organic, vegan, and all-natural supplements and skincare products.

While juggling military duties, parenthood, being separated in our first year of marriage, and another pregnancy, our journey has been quite the ride.
In November 2023, we embarked on our second business, DS Holistic Health LLC. I got my health coach board certification and have been studying to become a certified childbirth educator and holistic health practitioner.

Having my husband as my business partner may go against the advice of many, but it works for us. We share the same dreams, goals, and motivation – our children and their quality of life. Will is not just my husband but also my biggest cheerleader, supporting and encouraging me every step of the way. I feel incredibly blessed to have him by my side as my life partner, the father of my children, and my business ally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dsholistichealth.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakotasmith.holistichealth?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093499380108&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakota-smith-01b1722a0?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Dakotasmithholistichealth?si=jPQkktAoylkL5dBc
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dsholistichealth?_t=8j7sYlLVHjC&_r=1