We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather Terry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather below.
Heather , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
Over twenty years ago I was hit by a semi tractor trailer on I – 25 on my way to work.
It was a life changing experience — and one I’m deeply grateful for.
Did that moment in time forever change my life, yes; I had to have a disc in my back replaced and no one really knows how long it’s going to last. So, I’ve learned how to lift heavy for strength and use Yoga for flexibility and balance.
Did it set the stage for an autoimmune disease I was likely predisposed to, yes; it was likely the linchpin to the Pernicious Anemia I’ve worked to put into remission. So, I’ve used therapeutic nutrition and food as medicine to keep it at bay.
Did it create issues with infertility, yes; B12 and folate deficiency (present in Pernicious Anemia) inhibits neural tube development in an embryo. I had multiple miscarriages and fought like hell to have my daughter. So, I’ve learned how to use Functional and herbal medicine to optimize hormone health.
Did it absolutely change the course of my career, yes; employment in the world of corporate finance for Fortune 500 companies couldn’t compare with changing the life of another human being forever using Chinese Medicine. So, I decided to go back to school for another 4 years and do it all over again.
This time for impact, not for income.
My acupuncturist changed my life — eased my pain.
And now I seek to ease the pain you’re carrying, the autoimmune disease that’s holding you back, the infertility that impedes your dreams, or maybe get rid of a hot flash or two along your purposeful journey.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a continuation to the prior question:
I treat 30 – 35 patients per week within the clinic I own, Be Well by MOOV in Colorado. People of all ages and backgrounds come through my door; however, I find that I treat autoimmunity, perimenopausal women, and recreational athletes the most. I tend to be the resource of “last resort” for many, but I welcome the challenge of partnering with them as we work together, using the lens of Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine, to find their highest level of health. To me, they’re not a diagnosis — they’re a beautifully unique human with unique needs.
I also own a company, dirty, LLC, which produces and sells a pain – relieving cream (musclemud) that I personally formulated using medicinal botanicals. As a practitioner who treats people who use their bodies regularly, and who likes to train hard herself, I was dissatisfied with the pain relieving options available on supermarket shelves. musclemud, a botanically infused pain – relieving cream, not only works to stop pain upon its application, but also treats the underlying cause of pain using the lens of Chinese Medicine. It does this without damaging our internal health like NSAIDs are known to do, or exposing our bodies to harmful chemicals or endocrine disruptors. It’s crafted with organic, sustainably sourced ingredients and serves as an extension of the care I strive to provide within my clinic.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2018 my husband and I separated. By 2019, he had divested in the business we started together (a facility that fused fitness and wellness together under one integrated roof). At the end of 2019, I discovered the floor upon which we were dropping heavy weight was literally crumbling. Turns out, the business was built on a floating floor which was undisclosed by our landlord. He refused to pay for repairs, and declared us in default should the facility floor remain in its current, cracked and crumbling, condition.
I had three options:
1. Sue – I had a strong case, but if I lost, I’d have to pay legal fees for both parties – a very expensive and risky move considering I’d be going up against the largest commercial developer in my state…and his team of lawyers.
2. Move the entire facility into another building and pay for the repairs at the current facility out of pocket – again a very expensive and risky move given the considerable increase in leasing rates that had occurred over the prior 5 years.
3. Make the choice to sell the fitness side of the business and use the proceeds to fund the needed repairs, learn from the experience, and open a new, very small facility doing what I love — using Chinese Medicine to help people feel better in their bodies.
As I’m sure you’d suspect, I opted for the third solution. It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done — navigating the sale of one business, creating a new home for my daughter as a single mother, and starting a new business from scratch all within a few short months of each other. The income from the new business was meager, and the demands of COVID nearly broke me as I had to see patients in person to earn an income, but my daughter also needed my help with school as she learned from home.
The pivot was a gift though. And the hardship served me and my daughter. I was reminded (and she learned first hand) that you have to hustle to make dreams come true; that we can use the challenges we’re given in life to either break us or build us; and it’s humans — not money, not recognition, not anything more than beautiful humans and mother nature that make this world a better place.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
-Be the best at what you do and ignore your competitors – we each have our own gifts.
-Crunch the numbers, but connect with the human- it’s more expensive to get a new client than it is to build a relationship with the one you have. Take care of the people who take care of you. It’s simple, but distractions are plentiful. Stay focused on what you’ve already built, first.
-Be grateful for every person who chooses to walk through your door – when they feel your gratitude, it lets them know they matter (and feeling seen and appreciated in 2025 is becoming increasingly rare). The gratitude also helps you remember just how many people choose you, your businesses, and helps ease the frustration of the tough days.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bewellbymoov.com and www.getdirty.co
- Instagram: @bewellbymoov and @getdirtyco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bewelllafayette and https://www.facebook.com/getdirty.co
Image Credits
All photos taken by Kimberly Mitiska