Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Carlie Bell-Biggins.
Dr. Bell-Biggins, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a licensed Naturopathic Physician with expertise in holistic, complementary and alternative medicine. Born in Dayton, OH and raised in Houston, TX, both cities are near and dear to my heart. My third home is Phoenix, AZ, where I resided for five years and completed my Naturopathic Medical degree. It is said that all great healers spend some time in the desert.
Many people ask me why I decided to go into natural medicine. I always wanted to become a doctor, but when I would visit a conventional physician’s office, I knew I aspired to practice a different kind of medicine. I wanted to be more of healer, working with herbs and spending more time with my patients. I discovered Naturopathic Medicine, and the rest is history.
My motivation to become a natural medicine doctor primarily came from watching my dad’s failing health over the years. With several chronic illnesses ailing him, from congestive heart failure to prostate cancer, I knew his diet and sedentary lifestyle were to blame. Being a truck driver by day, and couch potato by night, my dad had very little inspiration to move his body, with the exception of walking Toots, his beloved Miniature Pinscher who passed away a few years back. A diet of mostly white and brown foods, sweets, beer and meat lover’s pizza created the perfect storm for a disease body state. My father is 73 years old and is the most loving and selfless individual you could ever meet. He taught me the definition of unconditional love and has always been my rock.
Before making my final decision, I decided to visit the Naturopathic Medical School that I was most interested in attending Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. I drove from Houston to Tempe, AZ to participate in the Student for a Day Program to ensure this was right for me. While visiting the clinic to observe a homeopathy shift, the supervising physician asked me if I had any health problems that I cared to share with the students on the shift. I proceeded to tell them about my chronic eustachian tube (inner ear) problem, it was always painful and inflamed, especially in the winter. I had been to several doctors over the past ten years about it and was always prescribed an antibiotic or decongestant, which never worked. One doctor even insisted it was due to the pollutants in the air after tropical storm Allison, even though I explained the problem had begun years before the storm.
When the students on the shift discovered I was 14 when my ear pain first began, they were surprised, stating ear problems don’t typically begin so late in childhood. They then wanted to know if there was anything significant that happened around that time in my life. In fact, it had. A major life change happened that winter when we unexpectedly moved from Houston back to Dayton at the beginning of my sophomore year in high school. After more questions, I was prescribed the homeopathic remedy dulcamara. Take three pellets under your tongue one time were my instructions.
The next day after taking the remedy, the outside of my ear began to hurt. This was troubling because it was always the inside of my ear that hurt, never the lobe. I called the clinic to speak to the doctor and told him the outside of my ear had never hurt before. His reply, “we have the right remedy.” Strange medicine, I thought. The next day, my ear pain was gone, and I have never again had a problem with my ear since then, over 15 years ago. I thought, if I could be a doctor who can heal with one dose of one remedy, I’d be a pretty awesome doctor!
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?
Starting my own business has been very challenging, yet one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The first true roadblock I experienced was a copyright issue with the original name of my company before it became Monaco Natural Health Solutions. Receiving a letter in the mail from an attorney representing their client was shocking and eye-opening. I had made a rookie mistake in believing due diligence had been done when indeed it had not.
Most of my struggles have been those shared by most entrepreneurs. Finding time to do it all, the infamous and illusive work-life balance dream that all business owners aspire to is a constant goal. Trying to invest in myself without going into debt and managing social media madness are other common struggles I share with fellow small business startups.
Staying motivated to sit at my desk all day with the lure of my backyard pool or a quick binge of Criminal Minds on Netflix calling me is a daily challenge I am proud to say I am conquering well. Internal motivation to take the Dr. Carlie brand to the next level is stronger than the downward pull of every struggle and set back. It’s important for entrepreneurs to keep our focus on the end goal and know how to pivot when necessary.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a Cannabis Expert and a Natural Medicine Physician. Holistic education, products and services are my specialty. Most importantly, I help people feel better.
Founded in September 2018, Monaco Natural Health Solutions LLC offers Holistic Health Coaching, the Monaco Dispensary, and Health Questionnaires with resulting dietary, lifestyle and supplement recommendations.
The Dr. Carlie brand launched in December 2019 and encompasses Monaco Natural Health Solutions, Monaco Academy, Monaco CBD, and more.
Holistic Health Coaching is available to individuals as well as medical practices that value the need to incorporate health coaching services for their patients. I have a team of Monaco Holistic Health Coaches comprised of primarily other Naturopathic Physicians. We use a HIPAA compliant digital platform to interact with our clients one on one, and to share challenges, recipes, workouts and other resources to coach our clients into health and wellness. Our coaches and clients monitor metrics and progress together, chat via messaging, and meet for live video coaching sessions. Monaco Holistic Health Coaches are trusted partners in your wellness journey, here to help you accomplish your health goals.
Monaco Academy offers holistic health and cannabis related courses with an e-learning platform. Students can become a Certified Monaco Holistic Health Coach with an eight weeks online course including live weekly coaching sessions. We also offer an online Medicinal Cannabis Certificate course for anyone looking to increase their knowledge of the health benefits of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system.
As a professional educator presenting on natural health topics including stem cell therapy, natural remedies and the medicinal benefits of cannabis, I’m known for being the leading voice in the medicinal cannabis space in Houston. I guest lecture for cannabis educational programs around town and speak at various cannabis conferences throughout Texas. My last conference lecture was at the Lucky Leaf Expo at the Irving Convention Center. The next scheduled speaking engagement is The Texas Hemp Expo in January 2020. Various CBD dispensaries have invited me to speak to their customers about the benefits of CBD, and I have sat on various holistic healing panels to discuss related topics.
What sets Monaco CBD apart from the crowd is we’re not just another white label CBD brand. As an expert in plant-based medicine and the cannabis plant, I understand the endocannabinoid system, the terpenes, and the phytocannabinoids. I also understand how they all interact to benefit the health and well-being of Monaco CBD consumers. The difference is while many CBD companies are popping up to cash in on a hot trend, I understand the power of the medicinal plant and its synergy with our human physiology.
Monaco uses a full spectrum hemp oil in all of our products because it is more effective than CBD isolates and broad spectrum oils. I believe in the synergistic effects of whole plant medicine, where all of the phytochemicals work together as nature intended. Full-spectrum hemp has high levels of CBD, along with other phytocannabinoids like CBG, CBN, CBD-A, CBDV, CBL, CBC and less than 0.3% of THC. All cannabinoids have medicinal value and add to the effectiveness of the oil.
Events and Seminars are also a part of the Dr. Carlie brand. The Dr. Carlie Launch Party and Networking Mixer is January 17, 2020 at DuVin Pintor Wine & Art Gallery from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Come out to enjoy CBD infused wine and celebrate the launch of DrCarlie.com.
I’m also hosting a CBD Seminar and Tasting on February 1, 2020 at the Cubio Innovation Center from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Come learn all about the medicinal benefits of Cannabis and sample CBD infused bites prepared by Healthy Chef JLa with EPIcuisines.
You can find registration information for both events and future events on my Facebook page, @drcarlie.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a cool nerd. I ran track and cross country, and I even modeled for a local studio, D’Elegance. I asked for things like globes and anatomy books for Christmas. I was and pretty much am still a loner, getting along with everyone but never a part of a clique. 50/50 introvert/extrovert, I was always a true reflection of my parents with my mom being 100% extrovert and my dad being 100% introvert. Playing outside, riding bikes, reading and spending time at Galveston Beach were my favorite pastimes. I still have many of my Barbies, Cabbage Patch dolls, and my Michael Jackson doll with the Thriller black and red outfit at my parent’s home. I suppose nostalgic is a good word to describe me, then and now. I have been taking pictures of everything since elementary school. My friends call me the historian, and indeed our lives are well documented.
Much hasn’t changed since my childhood days. I’ve always been very focused, determined and into the books. I was inducted into the National Honor Society in the seventh grade and a member of International Baccalaureate in high school. I graduated in the top 10 percent of my class and was awarded a full academic scholarship to The Ohio State University where I studied Spanish abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico and completed my undergraduate education.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drcarlie.com
- Phone: (978) 763-8102
- Email: carlie@drcarlie.com
Image Credit:
Charles Baldwin
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
