We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rosia Parrish a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rosia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

After graduating from CU Boulder, I embarked on a seven-year journey to complete the pre-medical requirements and apply to naturopathic medical school. Although I also applied to conventional MD or DO programs, I knew deep down that I desired a more nonconventional approach to healthcare that valued lifestyle, nutrition, and overall well-being over the traditional pharmaceutical and surgical methods. It was a risk, but one that has proven to be fulfilling and rewarding beyond measure.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a naturopathic doctor specializing in fertility.  As a naturopathic fertility specialist, I help couples overcome infertility by addressing the underlying causes. My patients come to me after failed attempts at natural conception, unexplained infertility diagnoses, or unsuccessful IVF treatments. I believe in a holistic approach to fertility that considers all aspects of a patient’s health and lifestyle. By investigating the root cause of infertility, I optimize my patients’ overall health, including the quality of their eggs and sperm, for the healthiest pregnancy and baby possible. You can learn more about my practice at nawellness-boulder.com and reach out to me at info.boulder@nawellness.com or 720-893-1234. Also, stay tuned for my upcoming website thrive-fertility.com

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

In recent years, I’ve had to overcome some of the toughest moments of my life, and while it’s hard to say whether it speaks to my strength or my weakness, I’m proud of how I’ve persevered. In 2016, my world was turned upside down when my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only a week to live. As a naturopathic doctor, I knew that there had to be more options out there for her, so I traveled with her to top doctors all around the country and Canada to try and extend her life. It was a difficult and emotional time, and after 16 months of fighting, my mother eventually passed away.

For me, the loss of my mother was devastating. I was pregnant with my daughter at the time, and it was hard to come to terms with the fact that my mom would never get to meet her. But things got even harder when, during my mom’s memorial, my grandmother suffered a cardiac condition and passed away soon after. Losing my entire matrilineal line was almost too much to bear.

As a naturopathic doctor, I found solace in helping others, but it became clear that I needed help too. I sought out professional support to help me navigate my grief and loss, so that I could be there for my patients who were also dealing with pain and sorrow. Through this journey, I learned that physical health is deeply connected to our emotional and spiritual well-being, and that we need to address all of these aspects to truly heal.

Today, I’m proud of how I’ve come through my grief. I’ve learned to be a mother without my own, and I’ve found my own voice and intuition. I’m still a functional medicine naturopathic doctor, but I’m also someone who knows the importance of addressing the mind, body, and spirit when it comes to achieving our health goals.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Last year, my family and I faced a major challenge when the Marshall Fire displaced us from our beloved neighborhood. It was a life-changing experience that transformed us in ways we never thought possible. Despite the sudden change, we pulled through and worked hard to navigate the aftermath of the fire, which included dealing with insurance, FEMA, and finding temporary housing.

During this time, I also made a bold decision to leave my job at a traditional clinic structure and start my own practice. Although it was a difficult decision, it ultimately led me to find my true calling in telemedicine and to go into a specialty practice for myself. I now have more confidence, clarity, and drive to live my purpose and make a positive impact on others’ lives.

The Marshall Fire may have been a devastating event, but it ultimately gave me the strength and motivation to make positive changes in my life that I should have made long ago. I am grateful for this experience and the lessons it has taught me because the pivot to telemedicine allowed me to start my own thriving practice and pursue my purpose with renewed clarity and drive.  This journey has brought me to a place of deep gratitude for my work and the opportunity to help others. And, most of all, I am grateful for my kids and family, who have supported me through it all and remain my biggest inspiration and motivation. 

Life can often bring unexpected challenges that can be overwhelming and stressful. However, it is important to recognize that these challenges can also lead us to new opportunities and a clearer understanding of our life’s purpose. The Marshall Fire and the challenges before and after were not easy, but it ultimately led me to start my own thriving practice and gain more confidence in myself and my abilities. While chaos can be difficult to navigate, it can also bring us to where we are meant to be in life.

My recent past since 2016 has been marked with grief and loss, but I have also found resilience and strength through these experiences. While the road has not been easy, I am excited for what the future holds and I’m committed to living a life of purpose, meaning, and joy, and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.