Meet Jenny Smith | Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach

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

Hi Jenny, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by doctors who go against mainstream medicine and take an investigative approach to patient care. Dr. Mark Hyman is a doctor I admire for his work in Functional medicine. He inspired me to see a functional medicine doctor for my own health. This approach to treatment changed my life. It changed everything for me. I had never felt more valued, and the quality of care I received was priceless. This motivated me to become a certified functional medicine health coach.

As a functional medicine health coach, my clients also inspire me. They work hard to make small changes to their health and, in return, see significant results. Change can be challenging, but they remember their why and make it happen.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I grew up in a home with a mom who loved her sweets. We had a junk food drawer in the kitchen filled with cookies, Twinkies, Hostess cupcakes, Little Debbie’s, and Ding Dongs; you name it, we had it. It was always stocked. My friends would come over and go straight to the junk food drawer. Granted, my mom made home-cooked meals every night for dinner, but my brother and I had access to all the sweets.

I considered myself a healthy child but looking back, I struggled with health challenges that I now know were directly related to my poor diet. I had so many ear infections as a kid and was put on antibiotics. I eventually had to have surgery three times to reduce the ear infections. I struggled with anxiety and depression. I went undiagnosed and just thought I was a “moody” child. I lost a significant amount of hair in high school, and my doctor said it was due to a hormone imbalance because I was going through puberty. I just needed to ride it out. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with psoriasis. My dad had this, and they chalked it up to genetics, and I was given a topical ointment for it. I also developed hypothyroidism in my early 20s. Doctors said I would have to be on medication to manage it for the rest of my life. I continued to struggle with these issues for many years.

The turning point for me was when I lost both of my parents. My mom passed away at the young age of 52 from breast cancer. My dad died suddenly six years later at 61 from a massive heart attack. His heart attack resulted from kidney failure from unmanaged type 2 diabetes.

I missed having my mom at my wedding, the birth of my kids, and so much more. My dad was here to walk me down the aisle and to meet my babies, but I have missed having him here to watch them grow up.

I realize that sounds utterly depressing, but that is the reality for many living in our country. People die prematurely or live a poor quality of life due to a chronic illness. Losing my parents at a young age motivated me to change my health, not just as a short-term fix but for the long term. After struggling with these issues for 20 + years, thinking medication and fad diets were my only option, I finally decided to take my health seriously.

That decision, combined with the fact that I was not getting the answers I was looking for from conventional doctors, led me to learn more about functional medicine.

I found a wealth of information on this topic from one of my favorite authors/Podcast hosts, Dr. Mark Hyman. Functional medicine doctors are licensed practitioners that focus on the root causes of our symptoms and recommend food and lifestyle interventions. They can prescribe medications, but it is usually a last resort.

The functional medicine approach changed my life. I feel healthy and have way more energy now. I also found out I was struggling with insulin resistance, and if I didn’t change my diet and lifestyle, I would have eventually become type 2 diabetic. That was alarming because of what I saw my dad go through.

I have since learned how to balance my blood sugar. I no longer crave sweets after meals. I have lost 20 pounds and have kept the weight off. I am no longer dealing with depression, low energy, and brain fog. I also have not had a psoriasis outbreak in years. My diet has helped keep those symptoms at bay.

This is what led me to become a coach. I have spent most of my career in education but was ready to make a change. I got certified as a functional medicine health coach. I now help women in their 40’s balance their blood sugar to reduce sugar cravings, gain more energy and lose weight without calorie restriction and excessive exercise.

The best part of what I do is helping my clients reach their goals. Women come to me after they have tried so many of the fad diets out there to lose weight. Doctors told them to “eat less and exercise more.” You wouldn’t believe how many times women hear this from their doctors. As we age, weight loss becomes more difficult for women because of our hormones. My clients feel heard and understood when they work with me because I can relate.

If you would have told me 5 years ago that I would switch gears and become an entrepreneur, I wouldn’t have believed you. It has not been easy. I would say marketing my business has been the most challenging. I have had to seek help from experts in this area. The lessons I have learned are to always trust my gut and trust in my abilities. Mindset truly is everything. A mindset shift is also a big part of my coaching work with clients.

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?
Some of my favorite restaurants in the East Valley are San Tan Flats for excellent steaks, outdoor dining, live music and making s’mores, Joe’s Farm Grill and Hash Kitchen for breakfast, Rock Lobster for sushi, and my favorite is Picazzo’s Italian dining for gluten and dairy-free options. I am originally from southern California, and we have finally found our favorite Mexican food restaurant at Los Dos Molinos in Mesa. My family and I love watching movies at the Majestic Cinema in Chandler. Fat Cats in Queen Creek is fun for the whole family. We also love going to Organ Stop Pizza for singing and listening to the organ musicians. They have a delicious menu. Top Golf in Gilbert is the go-to place when friends come to visit. We will venture to either downtown Chandler or downtown Gilbert for some adult fun. I love to take my girlfriends shopping at the San Tan Village. So many fun places to go and delicious restaurants to eat at in the East valley. If it is Fall or Winter, we love taking our kids to Schnepf’s farms for family fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to acknowledge my husband, Derek, for supporting me while I pursue my passion. Starting a business is not easy, and I have doubted myself. He has encouraged me not to give up. If it weren’t for his support and encouragement, I would not have started my coaching business.

I want to thank my children, Samantha and Devun, for their patience. I have spent a lot of time at my desk coaching clients and working on new program developments. This time spent working has taken away some of my time with them. They understand and support my mission.

I want to thank all my family and friends that believe in me and continue to cheer me on. I also want to thank the fellow female business owners I met in my mentorship group through Level Up Arizona in the East Valley. You are my tribe; without you, I would not have come this far. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Website: https://www.simplifiedlifestylecoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaz_coach/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-smith-72265a53/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082866356176&sk=about

Other: Take my blood sugar quiz: https://subscribepage.io/bloodsugarquiz

Image Credits
Mandy Rae Photography, Natalie Lynn Photography