We recently connected with Jennifer Jenkins and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

Thank you for inviting me to share my story.  When I began nursing school, I knew I wanted to help people get well. But I quickly learned that traditional western medicine includes little focus on coaching patients and empowering them to take charge of their own health.

By the time most of my patients were admitted to the hospital, they were suffering from acute or chronic medical conditions.  Many of those issues could have been prevented or treated before becoming life-threatening emergencies. 

Instead of training patients to take care of their own health and prevent further illnesses, my job became focused on stabilizing their “emergent” care with the goal of discharging them to their homes or other residential facilities.  I found myself driven to reduce my patients’ risk of readmissions in the future, and I learned how many of their conditions were preventable.

I helped to stabilize patients and watched them recover, but I learned that they were given little guidance on how to prevent issues from re-occurring after they were discharged. Little to no instruction was given about diet, exercise, breathing, meditating. Thus, I realized a vital component of western medicine was missing.  I became passionate about the need to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and holistic health.

However, it wasn’t until my own medical problems surfaced that I learned how important it was to my life and livelihood to make a change.  Like many busy professionals, I was burning the candle at both ends. My priorities were focused on work. Ironically, I was helping my patients get well, as I became ill.  It was time to make a change.

I needed to take responsibility for my own wellbeing.  No one was going to do it for me. I had seen too many patients fall into the justification trap that they are “victims” who must accept their diagnosis or live with the “cards they have been dealt.” After I made some significant changes to my lifestyle, I was able to reverse all my medical issues—without medications.  I knew that I needed to take a root cause approach to help my patients and myself.

Instead of masking symptoms and pain with medicine, I learned first-hand that the body has an amazing ability to heal itself with proper nutrition and movement. It was from my own healing that I knew I needed to coach others back to better health so they could live happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives.

One of my first coaching clients reinforced my focus on holistic healing. She came to me because her blood pressure was elevated. Her A1C (her average blood glucose level) was elevated, and she had high cholesterol. Though she didn’t seek health coaching to lose weight, I knew it would be a key to reaching her goals of lowering her A1C and insulin levels.

Together, my client and I negotiated with her doctor to give us a few months of working together to implement a plan that included lifestyle changes that would prevent the need for prescriptions, etc. What began with focusing on better sleep quality and a healthier diet (to stabilize her insulin levels), my client began creating time for exercise she enjoyed; working on her stress management; staying hydrated, and so much more.

Not only did she take back control over her health in a few short months, she was able to avoid costly medications. With a few lifestyle changes, she lost over 30 pounds. Nearly three years later, she has maintained the weight loss and stabilized her insulin—without medicine! She now lives a vibrant, active lifestyle!

When we think of the “costs” she saved, we usually think in terms of dollars and cents. But my client has saved so much more. As a happier, healthier, more productive person, she has excelled in her occupation. Her relationships have improved, and we know she has reduced many risk factors that would have led to her morbidity and reduced her longevity. 

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

Over 12 years ago, I found myself on the other side of the medical field: as a patient. I developed a multitude of symptoms that led me to see over six (6) different medical specialists. My body felt like it was shutting down, and I feared what my future self would look like if something didn’t change. Somehow, I felt certain that my medical problems were a result of an un-balanced and unhealthy lifestyle.

As a result of professional stress, poor sleeping habits, and unhealthy food choices; my body was crying for help. I was prescribed a host of treatment plans and medications, and I began to believe there was no other choice than to remain on medicine for the rest of my life.

I was not overweight. Many people said I looked “healthy.” But I never felt unhealthier. I went to see more doctors and received no answers to the root cause of what was happening in my body. I felt hopeless. It was at that moment that I decided to find my own answers! Somehow, I knew my search would bring me to the need for holistic health modalities and lifestyle changes.

I had been working extremely long hours in a hospital, and I was under a tremendous amount of stress. I was not getting enough sleep, and I was not managing my stress in a healthy manner. I was not exercising. I was dependent on caffeine. I was consuming the “typical American diet” that was full of gluten, high fructose corn syrup, trans-fats, and full of chemicals and preservatives like glyphosate. The stress of poor nutrition had taken its toll on my body.

But what about my mind? I was filling my mind with negativity. I felt negative about myself, so I was projecting my own misery on my nearest and dearest. My unhealthy lifestyle had put a strain on the meaningful relationships around me. So, how did I begin my own transformation?

I was given a life-changing opportunity to join a medical mission group that would work alongside several brilliant doctors and medical professionals from across the U.S. and throughout China. It was during this experience that I witnessed the power of healing through nutrition and alternative health and healing modalities. I am eternally thankful for the opportunity to work alongside holistic medical professionals in China. And this gratitude has also propelled my healing that has now been sustained for well over a decade.

Rooted Holistic Health Coaching was founded with those who are ready to take a root cause approach to their health and wellness and weight management goals in a simple, easy-to-implement program that addresses all aspects of health including stress management, functional movement, eating for health and performance, community support, behavioral modification, mindset, strategies for a healthier home and work environment, breathing techniques, and so much more.
We offer a wide variety of options to help meet the needs of clients based on their goals, budget, and commitment level.

One of our flagship programs, the Rooted Health Metabolic & Lifestyle Reset program is a comprehensive, 12-month program that focuses on a root cause approach to longevity and overall wellness but also helps clients reach and sustain their weight management goals. We focus not only on nutrition and movement but on other modalities that are often overlooked: breathing, activating the vagus nerve, meditation, proper supplementation, gut health, stress management, restorative sleep, oral health, plant-based nutrition, etc.

We offer one-on-one private coaching for those who desire personalized attention and accountability; group coaching with a community of like-minded individuals; and self-guided programs for those who are self-motivated to make a change but need structure and guidance.

As well, we offer health presentations and speaking engagements for businesses and organizations, online webinars, free monthly health guides, and weekly tips and recipes. Join our e-mail list and social media for daily motivation!
When you are ready to make a change and would like to see if one of our programs or coaching packages is right for you; we always offer complimentary consultations.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

For me, it is about being extremely coachable and teachable myself. It is important that I stay up-to-date with the latest research and science because knowledge and technology are changing rapidly. I like to consider myself a lifelong learner, as I am always working toward new certifications in wellness to pass this learning on to my clients.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My business began on a referral basis through networking and professional relationships I have cultivated and from clients who have shared their results. We are looking forward to growing our outreach and spreading our good news digitally, through e-mail and social media. Thank you again for helping us tell our story of health, hope, and healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RootedHolisticHealth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_jenkins_health_coach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RootedHolisticHealthCoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jenkins-rn-chc-fns-ryt-1103825/
• Other: To book a complimentary discovery call: https://p.bttr.to/3oRRyUU