We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Woodward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had just worked through some awful health issues like insomnia, panic attacks, anxiety, low thyroid issues, and chronic infections by going through a program called Functional Diagnostic Nutrition and applying the principles I learned to myself. After realizing how much better I felt, I was excited to share what I had learned with other women. I didn’t really go into it to start a business, but it evolved to be so, and I am very grateful.

What should our readers know about your business?
I love the demographic of women I work with because I have been where they are- exhausted, overworked, and frustrated. I know what it takes to overcome this, and it’s not a diet or a supplement or a program. What sets my business apart is that I get to work with women in a truly holistic manner. I find it so fulfilling when my clients get the point where they finally realize that health is not a weight or a food or a race. Health is a gift, and has to be nurtured and cherished as such. My strength lies in teaching women the complete picture of nourishment instead of looking at life and the body as a series of reductionist is parts. I’m known for teaching women how to nourish themselves so they can nourish those who depend on them. Women tend to feel like no one takes care of them, and it’s kind of true. So I teach women how to care for themselves the way they would care for others. This tends to be a huge mindset and lifestyle shift. Since I’m not a doctor, I have plenty of time to spend with my clients to tease these concepts out. That gift of time is something that is very important to me. I’m most thankful that I get to help so many women really and truly feel like they’ve got their lives back. I have women stop me when I’m out, or contact me online and tell me that I’ve changed their lives. Really, they are the ones that do all of the work. But I love that I get to be part of that change. Not everyone is 100% pleased all of the time, of course. I had one client want to stop services because she felt like I spent too much effort in my free coaching group. She felt like she wasn’t special enough. I refunded her money and sulked about it for a day like a true perfectionist would. But i decided two things- one, that I would absolutely keep providing great content for my free and low cost audience. And two, that I would be completely transparent with every new potential client- “i give most of my information away for free”. And the coolest thing is, most people don’t care. They still want to work together. I think it’s brought an authenticity and camaraderie to my work with clients that a brand new entrepreneur is too fearful to explore. My business mentors have taught me to give more than I receive, and that’s a personal concept I try to hold to as well. I want the world to know that it’s important for me to care well for my women so that they have the strength to care well for themselves. i do this by teaching, encouraging, coaching, and backing it with some kickass biochemical and nutritional science.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d take my visitors to the gem of the central coast, Paso Robles. We would wine taste at Daou and Herman Story, eat at Fish Gaucho, go for a hike, and then drive down to Pismo Beach for some whale watching and a long stroll on the beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shout out to my husband, who saw me through the years where I felt awful, financed my going back to school, and encouraged me to start my business. I also wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without the work of amazing hormone doctors like Lara Briden and Broda Barnes. I’m so thankful for Dr. Steve Salyers and Kathy, who let me work at their amazing chiropractic office. Finally, Reed Davis and Brandy Buskow pulled me into the FDN fold, where I get to mentor other likeminded practitioners and ride the swell of the incredible new discipline of Functional Nutrition. The Lord makes this all possible for me.

Website: www.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com
Instagram: jennifer_woodward_nutrition
Facebook: @jenniferwoodwardnutrition
Youtube: Jennifer Woodward Nutrition

Image Credits
Lorie Chambless Photography

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