Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Ann Welty.
Hi Leigh Ann, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a young age, as a gymnast and dancer, I was aware of my body but not always in tune with it. As a teenager, I followed whatever the magazines, “experts,” or diet trends told me was right – fat-free foods, calorie counting, and over-exercising. I thought I was doing the right things, but my body told a different story through headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, pain, and anxiety. In college, I fell in love with movement – step aerobics, Jazzercise, weight training, 4 mile walks – but my diet and stress habits worked against me. A herniated disc and chronic low back pain became long-term reminders that strength doesn’t always equal health.
As a young adult and military-wife, separation from family, deployments, and motherhood while working a full-time job brought new layers of stress and self-neglect. I tried to ease my stress with daily dog walks, yoga, and weight-training but struggled with chronic low-back and hip pain, pelvic-floor issues, hormone imbalance, and anxiety, pushing through instead of slowing down. I learned to function but was very disconnected from my body’s signals.
When I moved to the Houston-area in 2010, I tried reformer-Pilates for the first time and fell in love. The integration of body, mind, breath, movement, precision, balance, and flow…just made sense. It all clicked and I wanted to learn more. I became certified as a Pilates instructor which deepened my fascination with movement and body mechanics, but I was still overtraining, under-recovering, and not listening to those quiet signals for help my body was sending. I was helping others connect with their bodies while ignoring my own.
Over the course of the next 10-years, amid divorce, dual-home parenting, job shifts, relocation, and daily life stressors, my nervous system never felt safe. I functioned in a constant state of fight-or-flight – outwardly strong but inwardly depleted.
Eventually, the stress of reproductive health challenges and a hysterectomy forced me to pause and re-evaluate my entire approach to wellness. During the pandemic, overwork, poor nutrition choices, and chronic stress led to a heat-related collapse and a warning from a practitioner that my nervous system was near total burnout. It was a pivotal moment: I realized I looked healthy on the outside but was unraveling inside.
So, I took a step back, re-evaluated what was truly important to me, and embarked on a genuine healing journey. I discovered the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN)® holistic healing modality and completed the FDN accreditation program and advanced training in functional blood chemistry, hormone/thyroid health, gut health, and detoxification strategies. I earned my Board Certification as a Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) and launched Welty Wellness and Nutrition so that I could share my experience and help others learn how to heal themselves too.
I ran multiple rounds of labs on myself and began helping clients interpret their own results. My clients began to make great progress, reducing from multiple prescription medications to 1 (or none), pain reduction, better sleep, and more energy…but some clients would get to a certain place in their protocol and would get “stuck” Unable to progress because their fatigue or lack of sleep or pain came back. At the same time, I continued to work on managing my own daily stress load and the new stress of owning and operating your own business.
Although I was “doing all the things”, I knew I was still missing something. In an effort to reduce my stress I began working with my own holistic practitioners at Houston-based ‘Heights of Health’ and ‘Holistic Health Chiropractic’, I discovered the connection between the emotional and physical side of healing. Through my work with these expert practitioners I learned about the art of muscle testing, energetic frequency and discovered that unresolved emotions, trauma, and stress patterns were deeply connected to physical pain. I understood that until I addressed the emotional side of healing, I was never going to be able to truly help my clients. So I became certified as a Mind Body Spirit Release (MBSR)™ Practitioner and began using this healing modality with my clients.
I integrated MBSR™, functional lab analysis, and nervous-system regulation to create a truly holistic, whole-body approach. My work evolved from “testing and fixing” to guiding women toward deep, sustainable change – physically, emotionally, and energetically. True healing required teaching my clients to calm their nervous systems and create safety so the body could release what was holding it back. I realized that without that foundational work, even the best wellness protocols will always fall short.
Now, as a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Pilates Instructor I help active women over 45 who feel like their bodies are working against them – those who are doing everything “right” but still don’t feel well. I teach them that healing begins with safety, and that before we can enter the house of healing, we must open the door by clearing physical and emotional debris. Once that door opens, energy flows, test results improve, and lasting transformation becomes possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Self-doubt – thinking I am not doing enough or providing enough value for my client – I’ve always carried this quiet pressure to do more – to give more, teach more, explain more. Even after clients told me how much better they felt, part of me still wondered if I had done enough. As someone who cares deeply about outcomes, it was easy to measure my success by their results rather than by the support, insight, and space I was providing. Over time, I’ve learned that transformation doesn’t always happen in one session or one protocol – it unfolds in layers. My role isn’t to ‘fix’ anyone, but to guide, empower, and create safety for the body to do what it was designed to do: heal.
Imposter syndrome – I struggled for a long time with imposter syndrome – feeling like I had to prove my worth by knowing everything. I took every class, every webinar, every training that came my way, constantly trying to fill a void that wasn’t about knowledge at all – it was about confidence. It took time to realize that being a practitioner doesn’t mean knowing it all; it means holding space, asking good questions, listening to your intuition, and walking beside someone as they find their own answers. My confidence began to grow the day I stopped trying to know it all and started trusting what I already knew.
Time management – As a mom, business owner, and Pilates instructor teaching in two studios while also seeing private clients, I still struggle to find time for my own wellness. I teach others to prioritize self-care and nervous system balance, but have to remember to pause long enough to give myself the same grace. Time management is still one of my biggest challenges – I continue to remind myself that “productivity doesn’t equal peace” and that “I can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Balancing mission and money / overgiving and under-receiving: wanting to help people feel better so much that I give away too much for free, not valuing my time – I care deeply about helping people feel better and often find myself overgiving – spending extra time in sessions, answering long messages, or discounting my work – because I want to make healing accessible for everyone. But in doing so, I undervalue my time, my energy, and the very boundaries that keep me healthy enough to serve at my best. This is something I am still working on today!!
Simplicity – I’ve had to learn to simplify. Early on, I wanted to give my clients everything—every bit of science, every possible connection, every rabbit hole I’d explored myself. But I realized that too much information can overwhelm a healing body and an already overloaded mind. My growth as a practitioner has been learning when to teach, when to hold space, and how to guide clients one intentional step at a time.
Perfectionism: My inner perfectionist has been one of my greatest struggles but also one of my greatest sources of growth. As an enneagram #1, perfectionism runs deep for me – it’s part of how I’m wired. I’d overthink my client replies, my programs, my website, and my posts, wanting every piece of my work to be just right before sharing it. As I have grown as a practitioner, I’ve learned that perfection isn’t what changes lives – presence is. I’ve learned to release the need for universal approval.Not everyone is going to agree with me or like what I say – and that’s okay. My role as a Holistic Health Practitioner isn’t to please everyone and make people comfortable – it’s to be effective and help my clients grow – even when that means having hard conversations or challenging old beliefs. True transformation doesn’t come from striving for perfection – it comes from honesty, humility, and the courage to be real.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Welty Wellness and Nutrition?
What do you do? Own and operate a holistic wellness practice that offers a personalized, whole-body approach to root-cause healing using functional lab testing, detoxification strategies, and nervous system balance.
What are you most proud brand wise? My Signature program: Reset & Renew – a 12-Week Mind-Body Detoxification Program
What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc? see below for more info about Welty Wellness & Nutrition
Welty Wellness and Nutrition is a holistic wellness practice that helps active women over 45 eliminate chronic pain, regain energy and strength, and enjoy a vibrant, pain-free life – without relying on medication.
I take a root-cause approach to healing, combining the best of functional lab testing, nutrition, detoxification and drainage, and nervous system regulation with energetic and emotional work. My clients often come to me feeling like their bodies are working against them. They’re doing “all the right things” – eating clean, exercising, taking supplements – yet still feel tired, inflamed, or stuck. Together, we uncover why their body isn’t responding, identify hidden stressors, and create a personalized plan that supports true restoration from the inside out.
My practice embodies a truly integrative approach that addresses the whole person – not just symptoms. While nutrition is foundational, true vitality comes from nurturing the body, mind, and nervous system as one. I work closely with each client as both detective and teacher – using functional lab screenings, in-depth intake evaluations, muscle testing, and bioenergetic assessments to uncover hidden stressors and connect the dots between symptoms and root causes that conventional approaches often overlook.
I help women turn information into action – guiding them toward realistic daily habits that create long-term balance. My focus is on simplifying the science, teaching them how to understand their bodies, and uncovering why issues exist rather than simply managing them or disregarding them.
My signature program, ‘Reset & Renew: A 12-Week Detox for the Mind and Body’, guides women through a gentle, step-by-step process to remove both physical and emotional toxins. It combines functional nutrition and homeopathic detox & drainage support with mindset work, emotional release tools, and nervous system reset practices. Clients often describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more energized – with less pain, better digestion, and a renewed sense of calm and strength.
I’m also proud of my Thrive in Five Program, a foundational 5-month holistic wellness journey that integrates functional wellness testing with comprehensive detox & drainage support. It’s designed to help women upregulate metabolic function, detoxify gently, and rebuild energy through education, daily habits, and powerful mindset work.
I believe that true healing requires clearing obstacles on multiple levels – physical, emotional, and energetic. My goal is to teach women how to take control of their own health through targeted detoxification strategies, balanced nutrition, lifestyle shifts, and daily habits that support lasting health, so they can continue to thrive long after our work together ends.
What sets my work apart is the integration of science and soul. I’m not just testing for imbalances – I’m teaching women how to understand their bodies, trust their intuition, and create lasting lifestyle changes that support long-term healing. I do not diagnose, medicate, prescribe, or cure. My approach isn’t about quick fixes or chasing numbers; it’s about helping the body feel safe enough to heal.
Brand-wise, Welty Wellness & Nutrition is rooted in compassion, education, and empowerment. My goal is to make holistic healing approachable, evidence-informed, and deeply personal. Every client is seen, heard, and supported with compassion and curiosity. My goal is to meet clients where they are and walk alongside them, because transformation is a partnership.
True wellness isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. It’s about learning to listen to your body, trusting its wisdom, and giving it the safety and support it needs to do what it was designed to do – heal.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, surrounded by family, faith, and a strong sense of community. I was a a good student who liked to read – driven and curious – but not a straight-A perfectionist. I always wanted to do well, but I also wanted to understand why things worked, not just memorize the facts. I was part of the “smart kid” group, but I never quite felt like I fit neatly into any box – I was a mix of studious, creative, and independent, with an adventurous spirit but lacked courage to try new things.
From a young age, I was a gymnast and dancer, fascinated by the strength, grace, and mechanics of the human body. Looking back, that early connection to movement planted the seeds that now show up in my work as a Pilates instructor and Holistic Health Practitioner.
I loved spending time outside in nature with my feet on the earth, sand, or water and wanted to do my part to protect the planet, long before “eco-conscious” was trendy. Some of my happiest memories are from being outdoors – hiking, camping, and attending church camp, where faith, friendship, and fresh air shaped my love for community and connection.
Family played a big role in my upbringing. My parents have been married for decades, and I grew up surrounded by both sets of grandparents and extended family. Those close relationships taught me the value of connection, compassion, tradition, and caring for others.
By age fourteen, I was working part-time at my grandfather’s men’s clothing store, babysitting for several local families, and later at a local drugstore. I worked hard, earned my own money, learned responsibility, and discovered how much I loved helping people.
When it came time for college, I took a leap of faith and moved ten hours from home to attend Appalachian State University, where I earned a degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology. Balancing a full course load, multiple jobs, volunteer work, and time amongst new friends, my college years were more than just an education. It taught me discipline, independence, and resilience and was early training in showing up for others, contributing to something bigger than myself, and living out the belief that small acts of service can make a meaningful difference. That season of independence, curiosity, and hard work are the same qualities that later gave me the courage to start Welty Wellness and Nutrition and pursue my calling to help others heal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myweltywellness.life/
- Instagram: myweltywellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leigh.ann.welty/
