Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Longoria.
Jenna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I know what it is like to suffer from hormonal imbalances and digestive discomfort. I suffered from ovarian cysts starting at the age of 14, and in response, the doctors put me on the hormonal birth control pill. So there I was, a freshman in high school (which is already an awkward phase in itself!) experiencing weight gain, digestive discomfort, and depression that ensued with the pill.
I didn’t know it then, but what I suffered from is something called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It wasn’t until I was 21 that I decided to ditch the pill. My intuition led me to this decision even though I didn’t know much about health at that point. After 6 months of not having a period (post-pill amenorrhea), I went to the doctor to ask him for advice.
But all he did was quickly write me another prescription for the birth control pill. Even at this age, I didn’t understand the logic in this. To me, it made perfect sense to want to support my body in order for it to produce its own hormones so I could have a period naturally. When I told the doctor this he looked at me, and I’ll never forget it because it changed the course of my life, and he said: “why?”.
This is where my journey into women’s health began. And it wasn’t always easy. To make a long story short, I almost died from hormonal complications in my late twenties.
Because of this, I take my job to help other women VERY seriously. I’ve since studied hormonal and digestive health extensively, and I’ve dedicated my life to helping other women achieve optimum hormonal and digestive health. My goal is to inspire women to take charge of their bodies, and to end the belief that period pain is a hopeless cause.
Painful periods are not normal.
Using hormonal birth control as a band-aid to get rid of hormonal imbalances is not going to solve the root hormonal issue. I see too many young girls going to the doctor getting prescriptions for hormonal birth control to treat symptoms such as acne and painful periods. Yes, it will solve the minor issue, but it doesn’t get to the root cause. So what happens is when they get off hormonal birth control years later, the root issue is still there but this time with a vengeance.
Prescribing the hormonal birth control without investigating the root cause is an injustice to women, and it’s just plain lazy. I’m not saying hormonal birth control doesn’t have its time and place, I just believe that all women should be empowered with the knowledge about all of their birth control options, including the pros and cons of each, before having a decision made for them.
This is why my mission is to empower women with body literacy, so they can be their own best health advocates. I created Healthier Notions in order to help women balance their hormones holistically with diet and lifestyle change, and I support women with PCOS, endometriosis, hormonal imbalances, and those looking to optimize their fertility health.
This work brings me great joy.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being an entrepreneur is definitely not something one gets into if they want an easy option! It takes a lot of grit to be a business owner, and there are so many times I’ve been tempted to quit and just give up everything for a secure job with a steady paycheck. But instead, I stayed true to my vision and reminded myself why I do what I do. The work that women in my field do is important and necessary. It is this extra drive and laser-like ninja focus that has kept my business afloat. There will always be ups and downs, but I mustn’t look at the downs as failures.
Success is not linear.
Sometimes certain campaigns or strategies don’t work, and that’s okay. It’s all part of the learning process. Yoga and meditation have been crucial components of helping me view things in this way, and gain acceptance for what is. As well as intention setting. I write intentions with each new moon, and I keep them somewhere where I can see them daily.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Healthier Notions – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m the only health coach in Houston that supports women suffering from Post Birth Control Syndrome (PBCS), something that occurs anywhere from 6-8 months after getting off hormonal birth control. I support women suffering from PBCS by working with them one-on-one in my Houston office, or online sessions for those living out of town or seeking convenience. I work with my clients to give them individually tailored nutrition plans, lifestyle recommendations, and targeted supplements.
I specialize in supporting women with PCOS, endometriosis, and other hormonal imbalances that cause painful periods, amenorrhea, infertility, stubborn weight gain, and digestive discomfort. I also educate women about less invasive birth control options such as the Fertility Awareness Method.
If you summed it up, I guess you could say I am the “Period Fixer”. It might not seem important, but your period is your fifth vital sign. It is a report card that is evaluating your overall health each month. If there is something wrong with your period, then it’s crucial you investigate.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My vision is to bring about a Period Revolution. To inspire women to be their own best health advocates and stand up for themselves to demand better birth control. It’s now 2018 and we’ve progressed in so many other ways, so why are we still using such an outdated method of contraception?
Why must we shut off a female’s entire hormonal system just to prevent pregnancy? Especially when we are only fertile a few days each month, and men are fertile 365 days out of the year!
I dream of a time when we are all empowered with the knowledge of how our reproductive system functions- to be able to read our bodily sensations throughout the month. To understand how to decipher our monthly report card that comes in the form of our monthly bleed.
This paradigm shift is already taking place. More and more women are saying NO to the pill and taking control of their fertility. More women are ditching the doctors who won’t support them on this journey and finding healers who will. I have so much hope for the current and future generations of women. We create life and deserve much more than the quality of health care we’re currently receiving.
Pricing:
- Initial 30-minute consultation $50
- One month program which includes three sessions $350
- Follow up sessions $100
Contact Info:
- Address: 13614 Memorial Drive. Houston, Texas 77079
- Website: www.healthiernotions.com
- Phone: 7139929811
- Email: jenna@healthiernotions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennalongoriahealth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthiernotions/
Image Credit:
Alessia Campostrini
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
