We recently connected with Natalie Samson and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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 remember sitting in the hospital at my desk after meeting with a patient who I knew would pass away soon from early onset cancer, feeling both unfulfilled and frustrated. I was having conversations about cancer and Alzheimer’s risk, life-altering diagnoses, but I wasn’t addressing the bigger picture. No one was talking about modifiable risk factors in the healthcare system or how patients could take control beyond screenings, surgeries, and pharmaceuticals. It felt like such a massive gap in care.
At the same time, my father was (still is) battling metastatic cancer. Watching him go through that only reinforced my belief that genetics should be used not just for diagnosing, but for prevention and personalization – real, proactive care that considers lifestyle, nutrition, mindfulness and stress.
I started looking for a job that integrated genetics into a more holistic, functional approach. But it didn’t exist. That’s when I realized: I had to create it.
As genetic counselors, we’re trained to guide patients through hard conversations. But how could I talk to someone about their cancer risk without also addressing stress, nutrition, and lifestyle? Genetics is powerful, and addressing only the Western traditional world of care felt like just one piece of the puzzle. I wanted to bring it into the integrative space, where we could use it to personalize care in a way that actually helps people change their future, not just react to it.
Natalie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We are a private genetic counseling practice that takes an integrative, prevention-focused approach to care. We specialize in offering genetic testing and counseling across a variety of areas including: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, pediatrics/autism, connective tissue disorders, preconception, pharmacogenomics, and nutrigenomics; but what really sets us apart is how we approach that work.
In a traditional setting, genetic testing often stops at delivering results, a risk number here, a red flag there; but I saw firsthand how many people were left wondering, “Okay, now what? What do I actually do with this information?” That’s what inspired me to step out of the traditional system and create something more integrative, where genetics isn’t just a static report, but part of a living, breathing plan for long-term health.
We partner with patients to interpret their genetic results and translate those findings into real-life action steps focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, targeted screening, and prevention strategies. We blend medical-grade hereditary testing with cutting-edge pharmacogenomic and nutrigenomic insights, which allows us to support people who want to be proactive, not just reactive, about their health.
Our patients are often navigating personal or family histories of disease or simply wanting to optimize their health for longevity. We help them answer questions like:
How can I reduce my cancer risk if I have a strong family history?
What does my genetic profile say about my cardiovascular health or dementia risk?
Are there nutrition or lifestyle adjustments that could meaningfully shift my trajectory?
It’s really about feeling empowered to take charge of your health journey, knowing you have a guide who understands both the science and the real-life application.
For anyone learning about us for the first time, I’d want you to know this: we are here to walk alongside you, offering evidence-based, compassionate, and personalized care. We believe your genes are just part of the story and you hold so much power in shaping the rest!
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Honestly, beyond all the training and scientific knowledge, I believe the most essential ingredient for success in our field is the ability to truly counsel, not just deliver facts or interpret test results, but to sit with people in often vulnerable, emotional moments and guide them with empathy, patience, and care. I think this is lacking in the medical world today.
It’s so important to remember that behind every genetic result is a real person, someone who’s thinking about their mom or dad, their daughter, their sister, their future children. These aren’t just medical cases; these are families, histories, hopes, and sometimes fears.
Being able to connect on that human level, to help someone process complicated and sometimes emotional information, and to offer them not just answers but support, is where the heart of this work really lies. It requires compassion, active listening, and a steady presence, knowing when to educate, when to reassure, and sometimes when to just hold space for someone to process what they’re hearing!
At the end of the day, people remember how you made them feel, whether they left feeling overwhelmed and confused, or whether they felt seen, heard, and uplifted with a clear sense of what’s next. That emotional intelligence and relational skill, I believe, is just as important as any textbook knowledge when it comes to truly making a difference in this field.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I think one of the biggest and most undertalked-about keys to success in any business is having a good team and by that, I don’t just mean talented people, but having strong relationships, trust, and a healthy team culture!
To me, managing a team well means leading with clarity and kindness. I have learned that people really need to know what’s expected of them, where the business is headed, and how their role fits into the bigger picture. But just as importantly, they need to feel valued (!) as people, not just as workers.
I try to foster open communication. I’m also a big believer in recognizing the human side, checking in on how people are doing personally, celebrating small wins, and making space for humor.
When you invest in your team’s growth, they not only perform better, they bring more creativity, loyalty, and heart to the work. And that’s what really keeps morale high, knowing you’re part of something meaningful, surrounded by people who care about the mission and about each other!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldengeneticshealth.com
- Instagram: @goldengeneticshealth
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-samson-golden-genetics
