Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dawn Karwoski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dawn, 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.
At the start of 2023, I took a risk by investing a large amount of money in myself and my business. I joined a women’s business mastermind group, designed to help me scale my business and support myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
In years past, with previous small business endeavors, I had tried and failed to do everything myself. I lived the assumption that I could handle it all, and if I couldn’t for some reason, that was a reflection on me as a person and my capabilities. Needless to say, I often ended up frustrated and burned out.
When I launched my coaching business in 2021, I knew I needed to do things differently. So I flipped the script and did the exact opposite of what I had always done. This time I did not wait to make money before I invested in myself, and I sought out a support group to lift me ,and help me through all the growing pains, as opposed to trying to keep it all close to my chest.
What I experienced was far more than I ever could have imagined. I made real, meaningful connections with like-minded women who saw and accepted me for who I am. I watched my mindset transform as I committed to daily inner work, supporting myself in mind, body, and spirit. I watched trust and inspiration blossom in others as I shared my truth vulnerably.
I gained valuable tools to support my business of course, but the biggest shifts I saw from this investment are all within myself. I am more confident, connected, and excited for the future than I ever have been!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello friend, my name is Dawn, and I am Board Certified Root Cause Health Coach.
I spent decades suffering from mystery illnesses and recurring infections while I waded through the traditional medicine system, only to be told by dozens of Doctors that it was “all in my head” or they “didn’t know what to do with me.”
After a serious health crash in 2017 that led to two autoimmune diagnoses, I came to find Functional Medicine (aka Root Cause medicine). I began seeing a Functional Dr, Functional Health Coach, and Therapist. I incorporated mind-body-spirit wellness, focused on rest, and balanced my nervous system. And I saw my entire life and well-being completely transform.
I went from being defined by my 10+ diagnoses, feeling fearful, broken, lost, and hopeless, to putting my “incurable” diseases into remission within 2 years. I now live a life of freedom, experiencing joy, peace, and love, and have confident hope for the future.
All of these experiences led me to my calling, to support others on their healing journey. Others just like you.
I founded Well Rooted to help support others in living healthy and happy, simply. I believe in cutting through all the noise in the health + wellness space, and getting back to basics by connecting to our roots.
To work with me in 2024, I have two coaching programs available, along with in-person and virtual services as follows:
– The Chronic Illness Freedom Academy is a group environment that supports women in finding freedom from their diagnoses and heal naturally. This program takes you through the exact system I used to put my illnesses in remission, supports you in building a community, creating a flare-up plan, and much more.
– The Real Food Reboot is a healthy eating kickstart that helps you create sustainable goals that stick. In this program you will explore and improve your relationship with food, discover how your food history plays into the present, and builds your confidence in the kitchen with cooking, meal prep, and planning tips.
– If you are local to the Chicago area, I have weekly office hours at a Wellness Center in Westmont, IL where I offer 1:1 and group appointments. I also host frequent Wellness Workshops and Programs with various topics around Health + Wellness.
Outside of Well Rooted, I work full-time as a Corporate Meeting + Event Planner and live in the suburbs of Chicago with my husband Garett, and two cats, Milo + Otis.
Last but not least, here are some fun facts about me to help us get to know each other:
– I enjoy spending time in nature, walking/hiking, doing yoga, and loving Jesus.
– I am a total goofball and love to laugh. I try not to take life too seriously, and embrace my “weirdness” as a sign that I know how to have fun.
– I am a science geek and love to learn. You can often find me working on my mindset, experimenting with new wellness tools, and making meaningful connections with beautiful souls.
– I have been in love with food since I was old enough to lift a spoon. My Easy Bake Oven and play kitchen were my favorite toys, and I started entertaining at 5 by making my mom and her friends snack plates.
– I now create my own Real Food recipes that are both nutritious and delicious, because even though I have food restrictions and know my body deserves the best, I still want to enjoy my favorite things.
Hot tip: there is a database of free recipes for you to enjoy over at www.theWellRootedlife.com/recipes
I look forward to helping you live healthy and happy, simply.
xoxo,
Dawn
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I am known as a kind, compassionate, and empathetic coach, employee, and partner. These traits and skills were something I was often told in the Corporate world that made me “weak” and “ineffective.” Yet they are part of who I am, and make me unique, special, and qualified to support others on their healing journey.
Especially for my chronic illness clients, who have been beat down by their illness, are gaslighted by professionals and loved ones, and feel broken and lost, these traits are essential to form a trusting and safe coaching container.
I really had to learn to not only embrace these traits, but also to step into my authentic self and let them shine. The more I show up as my true self, share my story vulnerably, and let go of trying to be who others want me to be, the more I am able to connect with my clients, colleagues, and even personal relationships.
In a space that often promotes quick fixes, pushing ourselves beyond our means, and “no pain no gain,” I am proud to offer my clients and market a completely different and gentle approach to healing. I am proud to be Highly Sensitive, intuitive, and full of grace, and show my clients that these traits and skills are actually a superpower.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience is one of my core strengths and something I have had to lean on and utilize often in my healing journey.
Throughout the decades I spent suffering from unidentified conditions, I experienced so many challenges that could have easily caused me to give up. I watched my body deteriorate, as entire systems and organs began to shut down, and felt completely helpless to do anything about it. My mind was frozen in fear, my emotions completely shut down, and my soul ached for true rest.
At the most challenging point in my journey. I was down to eating only 10 “safe” foods, and couldn’t even eat outside of my home. I became afraid of food, and would have hyper reactions to many healthy items. I had lost all enjoyment in cooking and eating. Which was devastating for someone who bases much of her life around food because it provides a source of love and joy. I felt I was completely broken and could never be fixed.
I sought out help from dozens of Doctors, specialists, and Practitioners. Some of them were helpful for a time, until even they got frustrated when none of their solutions would work. But most of the professionals I saw made me feel small, unseen, and like I didn’t matter. I was constantly told I would be stuck with symptoms and illnesses for life, that I was making it all up, or was over-exaggerating.
I could have easily internalized these experiences, and did for some time. But thanks to my faith, and an unwillingness to give up or give in to the darkness, I kept going.
Every day I would commit to doing my best, whatever that looked like. Some days that meant simply taking a shower or making one meal. Eventually though, my resiliency and consistency paid off, and I started to heal. To really heal.
I continue to face challenges and rely on my resiliency even know. 2023 was a very difficult year with multiple big challenges and I felt the familiar pull of those old habits and fears. But thanks to my past experiences, maintaining hope, and leaning on my community, I know I can and will make it through whatever life throws at me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thewellrootedlife.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.wellrooted.life
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theWRlife
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-karwoski-7681753
Image Credits
Photography by Erica