We were lucky to catch up with Megan Van Noy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Megan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I want to take you back 9 years ago when I found myofunctional therapy on a Craigslist Ad and knew without much research that in my gut this was my next path.

My parents thought I was crazy that I wanted to switch my career at 25 and when I’d only been a hygienist for 3 years and every single person around me looked at me like I had 3 heads. I had a couple people in my corner who I had worked at a dental office that did bioblocs in 2012, so they had a working knowledge of what I was trying to do. And that’s actually where I got my first exposure to jaw growth and tongue posture and the whole works. I just didn’t know until 3 years later that it was something I could specialize in.

At the end of 2015, the course instructor I reached out to emailed me and let me know she was likely switching to teaching dentists and this was going to be her last round of her course, so if I wanted in the time was now.

So I leaped and went for it. At the time, I told my current dentist what I was doing and showed him all the things. He was supportive, until it was time for me to actually start my business, and then he wasn’t. I was fired for starting my own business. He didn’t think I should be allowed to have my own business. I was devastated. I was embarrassed. I was genuinely shocked that the man who told me I was the best hygienist he has had in 20 years could flip so easily.

But here’s the thing… I didn’t give up. I didn’t quit. I didn’t get scared. I knew it was right for me.

I also want to remind you that this was 2016. Not one single person called themselves “an airway provider” or used the term airway. They weren’t even using the term posterior tongue tie. There was one release provider in Portland and everyone hated him. And one guy doing Biobloc and he was not the best to work for. Otherwise it was finding orthodontists who referred for tongue thrusts. That was it. I was the only hygienist in Portland doing myofunctional therapy and I had a big target on my back. I have been attacked more times than I can count.

While building my practice I found an orthodontist who rented me his consult room when they weren’t there for $150/month and I hit the streets to anyone who listed tongue thrusts or tongue ties on their website… there were less than 5. So I just went to as many orthodontists as possible.

In the meantime, I was offered an associate position with my mentor of the course I took. I was one of twelve people in that course and 1 of 3 who consistently showed up to the phone conference teaching every week. I didn’t miss a single class or Q&A.

Now, I wish I could tell you that it was all smooth sailing from there… but I’m going to tell you the truth. In 2017, my dad had a traumatic brain injury and a bleed that led to several surgeries and a 27 day coma that he wasn’t supposed to come out of. I worked 3 days a week in hygiene, spent 6 days a week at the hospital and still saw myo patients.

By the end of 2018, I had been fired from 2 more offices for having my own myo practice.

Again, I didn’t give up. I didn’t quit. I didn’t hide.

Also in 2018, my mentor no longer wanted to see patients, so I took over her practice as well as my own. And by the end of 2019, my practice was busy enough to leave hygiene all together and not have to worry about being fired again. Hallelujah!

Now the story continues with pregnancy in 2020, my mentor giving me her business, then taking it back when I was 32 weeks pregnant, and putting me into a position where I didn’t have much choice of what to do next since I could give birth at literally any moment. At 36 weeks pregnant, I had to fly to Arizona to hash out the details and combine businesses so I could provide for my baby.

Again, I would love to tell you that I finally figured it out and that I was in a great position of safety and security, but that’s not what happened.

This part of the journey is even messier. 6-8 weeks of leave quickly turned to 3 weeks or I wouldn’t get paid. Dodging and finalizing details to be put in an agreement so we were both protected. At 8 weeks postpartum I wrote an email about my struggles and how I almost bled out from retained placenta and I really needed help.

Their response,  “this side of the business doesn’t make me enough money to care about it. I have too much going on with this other group that I am working with that can propel me further and set me apart.”

And even after that, in the postpartum depression and anxiety, newborn exhaustion, fear, and shame, it still took me 9 months of trying to stay involved and keep it all together despite lack of support and eventually learning I was the scapegoat for anything that went awry to finally have the confidence to start back over again.

I was begged to go to a conference to be a united front after their falling out with the other organization they had been focused on all year and when I arrived I was ditched and left out of every meeting, every dinner, every reason I was told the business needed me to be there. Furthermore, none of the doctors there knew that I had been the one seeing all of the myo patients since 2018. People were shocked to know I existed. I had been with this organization for 6 years and no one outside of it knew who I was. My work was being taken credit for by my mentor. The person I trusted the most.

Upon arriving home and missing Izzy so much – I had to leave 2 days after her 1st birthday for this event, I knew I couldn’t do it anymore.

And again, I wish I could tell you that it was a mutual parting and that no love lost and people grow apart, but that’s not what happened.

A full blown attack and smear campaign ensued. I was accused of a lot of things that were untrue. I was removed from everything and edited out of photos. Completely erased from history. Threats to ruin my career. Calling mutual doctors and associates to cry and tell them horrible things about me and then firing associates who said they know I didn’t do any of those things.

I had to hire a lawyer. I had to protect myself. I had to stand up for myself. I had given every part of me to this mentor and business and to be flipped on so quickly and having to worry if I was even going to be able to practice myofunctional therapy ever again.

I’m hoping you have guessed it by now…  I didn’t give up. I didn’t quit. I didn’t hide.

I rebuilt it all. Bigger and better and in the way that I saw actually helping people for impact, not just for money and fame.

So, when I hear about things going on in the field now or the lack of collaboration, I get it. I have been through it in every possible way. I have hired more lawyers than I care to count at this point, but through it all I persevered.

And for about 2 years I hid. I hunkered down back to my corner of the rebuild and when I gained the confidence back again, I decided I’m not going to hide anymore.

I created the Business of Being a Boss program as a way to help other myofunctional therapists feel like they don’t have to hide either. To be able to run your practice and your lives without fear or looking over your shoulders or being under somebody else’s thumb. That’s why I give you everything. Everything I’ve got from paperwork, to marketing, to getting patients referred and then getting them to sign up.

This field shouldn’t hide in fear. We should be working together to create amazing lives for ourselves, our families and our patients. We shouldn’t be worried about who’s reporting who or who’s trying to shut who down.

I need you to bet on yourself. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Don’t hide.

Now more than ever is the time to act. It is the time to get your myofunctional therapy practice successful and separate.

I hope you let me show you how. I fiercely fight for those in this field to be successful. I don’t back down from bullying or harassment.

I even helped one of my clients who got a complaint in her state and we were able to keep everything above board. She didn’t lose her license or her business.

It’s all possible. We need to lean in to the success and impact and not be afraid to be seen.

We are no longer hiding. We are building successful and sustainable businesses.

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.

For the last 8 years, I have provided myofunctional therapy via telehealth to thousands of patients across the globe. We have worked with kids as young as 3 and up to age 76 in over 20 different countries and every single state. I shared my story on how I got there in the last question, but after becoming a Mom and navigating the first 12-18 months of motherhood, I saw my purpose change. When my daughter was 18 months old, something switched in my partner and his behaviors spiraled into abuse. The abuse became more erratic and dangerous and although I went to the authorities several times, it took 5 months to get him out of our home. I was granted a restraining order and custody of our daughter due to imminent danger. During postpartum I thought that I had PPD/A and that I was the problem and going crazy, but the reality is I was slowly being conditioned to feel that way. I didn’t know what was true and not true anymore until he snapped and our couple’s counselor identified the abuse.

Once I became free from the intimate partner violence relationship and navigated single solo motherhood in a new light, I created a deep space for healing and had to re-learn how to value myself and trust myself again. I knew that I was not alone in feeling like I lost my identity in those first couple of years of motherhood and I knew that I deserved to find myself again. So I created the Not Just a Mom brand to help other moms heal and feel safe as they navigate motherhood while re-establishing their identities and who they are.

I’m passionate about helping moms reclaim their joy, set boundaries, and thrive in every aspect of life. My journey into this work started from personal experience—navigating the complexities of motherhood, surviving abuse, dealing with mom guilt, perfectionism, and the overwhelming mental load that so many of us carry. Along the way, I realized how often moms, including myself, put their needs last, striving to meet everyone else’s expectations while losing sight of their own identity and well-being.

Professionally, I began my career as a myofunctional therapist, where I not only helped clients improve their health but also developed a deep understanding of the importance of creating balance, boundaries, and a strong sense of self. Over time, I transitioned into empowering others by creating programs and communities that address these deeper challenges.

What I Offer and the Problems I Solve:

I provide programs, courses, and communities designed to help moms overcome the struggles that hold them back. My core offerings include:

The Drop the Mom Struggle Program: A foundational program for moms to tackle limiting beliefs, mom guilt, burnout, perfectionism, and more. It’s about rediscovering self-worth, healing past wounds, and creating a balanced, fulfilling life.

The Business of Being a Boss: A program designed to empower solo healthcare practitioners, particularly myofunctional therapists, to achieve financial success, gain confidence, and overcome imposter syndrome.

Not Just a Mom Podcast and Community: A platform where I share insights, strategies, and real-life stories to inspire moms to embrace their unique journey, build connections, and thrive.

What sets my work apart is the deep empathy and relatability I bring to my programs. I’ve walked the path my clients are on, and I understand the emotional and logistical challenges they face. I’m not just offering theoretical advice; I’m sharing real strategies that work in the day-to-day chaos of motherhood and professional life.

What Sets Me Apart:

A Holistic Approach: I focus not just on one aspect of life but on creating balance across motherhood, personal growth, and professional development.

Community-Centered Solutions: I believe in the power of connection and support, which is why I emphasize creating “villages” and strong support networks for moms.

Practical Tools for Real Life: From scripts for asking for help to strategies for setting boundaries, I provide actionable steps that are easy to implement.

Empowering Moms to Lead with Confidence: Whether it’s overcoming people-pleasing during the holidays or rediscovering their identity, my work empowers moms to show up authentically.

What I’m Most Proud Of:

I’m incredibly proud of the transformation I see in the moms I work with. Whether it’s someone reclaiming their identity after years of feeling “just like a mom,” a therapist gaining the confidence to grow their business, or a single mom finding joy and stability again, these success stories fuel my passion. I’m also proud of the communities I’ve built—safe spaces where moms and practitioners can support each other, share their journeys, and thrive together.

What I Want Potential Clients and Followers to Know:

I want every mom and professional who engages with Not Just a Mom to know that they are enough. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders or meet everyone else’s expectations. Through my programs, courses, and content, I’m here to remind you that it’s okay to ask for help, set boundaries, and create a life that feels good to you.

Whether it’s navigating the struggles of motherhood, overcoming imposter syndrome, or building a thriving business, I’m here to guide and support you every step of the way. Your journey matters, your growth matters, and your joy matters. Let’s build a life you love—together.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Confidence and knowing your worth. As a female in a service based healthcare industry we are often drawn to it because we have a deep desire to help others. It’s easy to then struggle with pricing our services appropriately or being judged or questioned when that is not generally a challenge that men face. 2 out of 3 women struggle with imposter syndrome compared to men and often are put in a position to constantly prove ourselves or our worth. We get put on this hamster wheel that we keep having to further our education or take more courses just to prove we are knowledgeable enough when actually we have the experience and expertise required.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Yes and no. Which I know is a somewhat of a non-answer, but in life, I don’t believe in failure. If I wouldn’t have started my career as a dental hygienist and quickly discovered that there was no room for growth and that it is not a field that accommodates motherhood, then I wouldn’t have sought out change to become a myofunctional therapist. If I had not become a myofunctional therapist and learned how to run my own business and how capable I am of adapting, changing, and being resilient I think I would have been complacent or too afraid to put myself out there in the Not Just a Mom brand and how important this movement for moms truly is. I wouldn’t have the same impact that I am building to create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://notjustamom.mykajabi.com/
• Instagram: notjustamom_xo