We were lucky to catch up with Donna Poppendieck recently and have shared our conversation below.

Donna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

By the time I was in my early 40s, my health tanked … I was diagnosed with a serious blood disorder. After a couple of years on oral chemo, I knew I couldn’t continue to live my life this way. I visited my first natural health practitioner and was able to get completely off the medication by taking supplements, changing my stress-filled living environment, my diet, and my outlook on life in general. I conquered my biggest challenge, my blood disorder, and went back to school and entered the field of mental health. However, I understood that people with mental health issues (and who doesn’t face them at some point?) could improve their mood and the expression of their diagnosed conditions by changing their lifestyles.

If we eat much healthier food than the standard American diet (SAD), take a few needed supplements, and practice mindfulness, among other approaches, our physical health improves and even our mental health gets better! I’m not saying that talk therapy has no place – it simply “takes” better in a person with a healthier body, which supports a healthier mind.

A few years ago, I created an online learning academy which teaches people just how to do this, based on my own life experiences and research. Today we offer a rich and diverse course offering to anyone who wants to learn how to improve their mental health naturally.

Knowledge is power – take charge of your health!

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?

I created Health and Wellness Online LLC which is an online learning academy teaching people that there are different and effective approaches to both physical and mental health than what is offered under the conventional medicine banner alone.

Having been a college professor for about 15 years teaching mental health, I was experienced in creating curriculum. Also, I am a nerd! I have multiple graduate degrees; I love education. I also worked for about 17 years in a dual-diagnosis treatment facility with both children and adults. So, it was a no-brainer for me to create an online learning academy, which teaches people all about natural mental health for everyone. This school pulls from my personal and educational and professional experiences.

I offer courses about such topics as using amino acids instead of psych meds, treating heroin addiction naturally, treating ADHD (also known as ADD) naturally, herbs, immunity, mindfulness, the best parenting styles, and many more.

At times people do not get the results they are looking for when trying to deal with issues concerning their mental health. Parents are often frustrated with giving their kids medication for attention- and behavior-related issues, both at home and at school.

We offer education about alternative approaches which are backed by research studies and other authoritative sources, and which get results. People can also search out other types of competent health care providers in their areas and work integratively with their conventional practitioners, if they like.

I believe in the adage –

Knowledge is power – take charge of your health!

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

When I entered my early 40s, my health began to take a major, downward spiral. I had just lost my adopted daughter to an overdose of prescription medication from the psych hospital she’d just been treated in. Unknown to me, the prescribed medication was highly toxic, and they were prescribing it because it seemed effective in many young people. It did not work that way for us. Within the next year, my own health began to break down, and I was diagnosed with the blood disorder, essential thrombocytosis, a disease of the platelets. With a life expectancy of 10 years, and after two years on the highly toxic chemotherapy, I finally decided to explore natural options. In fact, at my chiropractic office, there was somebody using an energy-based approach to wellness, and I began there. Over the next ten or so years, my health was blossoming. Fortunately, I never had to return to oral chemo! Through supplements, diet changes, mindfulness practices, I had reversed the expression of my genes, which were programmed to create autoimmune disease. I always knew I would find a way to conquer this; I never gave up searching for the right approach.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

At first I believed I could fund my business by working as a professor and starting/running my business. Over time, that proved to be too much for me to handle. I realized one day that if my business was going to be successful, I had to give it my full attention. I began making inquiries, especially with the Small Business Administration and other business entities that worked with them, and was able to find two sources willing to take higher than usual risks for small business owners. I received a couple of business loans. This helped greatly, although loans have to be paid back with interest! Also, we entered the time of the pandemic and the government had plenty of programs for funds that did not have to be paid back, and I took full advantage of those. Fortunately, my business is cash-flowing much better since about two years ago, and I have been able to meet my obligations! Another source to consider, which I have not done to date, is to start a crowd funding campaign.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://healthandwellnessonine.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthandwellnessonlinellc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthandwellnessonlinellc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-poppendieck-a02b17104/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/healthwellonllc
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/healthwellonllc/_created/

Image Credits
I had some professional headshots done at JC Penney Portrait Studio. All other images used are sourcd from paid subscriptions.