Meet Heather Kish | Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach for Women’s Fertility and Reproductive Health

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

Hi Heather, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
If I’m being honest, I think about giving up often. I think many entrepreneurs do. Starting you own business is scary. However, I feel like I kept coming back to the thought of. “Why not?” I led with my heart. I feel like my story is an important one that can resonate with many others. My niche focuses primarily on women with fertility or reproductive issues. And I think that many people feel they are all inclusive, and nothing could be further from the truth. Those are just symptoms of something deeper. It took me a long time to figure that out, and I feel like if I can educate others on the importance of getting to the root cause of whatever health issues they might be having, they can overcome them.

What should our readers know about your business?
I launched my business as an integrative health coach. I specialize in fertility and women’s reproductive health. However, the integrative component to it, is that I look at people from a unique perspective. We are all bio-individually different. Meaning, there is no one way to treat or heal everyone. We all have different interpretations of what healthy is, and different lifestyle and dietary choices that contribute to or inhibit our health. When I work with clients, I look at their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. And at any given time, one may be more important than the other. My goal is to help my clients discover this, and course correct what they need to do to change their overall health and/or goals around it.

I think there is something to be said about a business that can relate to the client it serves. I myself, have been where many of them are, I struggled with food and digestive issues most of my adult life, and I had many reproductive/fertility issues. I feel like there is a high opportunity with health coaching because physicians often do not have the time or resources to work with patients one-to-one to set goals, educate, and make sustainable changes. I offer this, and I work with a client’s prescribed diagnosis or plan to ensure their success.

I remember when I began my graduate program, and I told the director I didn’t feel like I should be in the company of the others in my cohort. He replied, “Heather, you are uniquely qualified because you have something the others don’t–institutional and practical work experience.” And that has stuck with me as I began this business. Because it’s not always about education, or the specific field you have joined. It’s about life experience, grit, passion, and consistency.

I have had many challenges and I know I will have more, but I welcome them because each time I learn something from them. I think the biggest lesson I have learned is to have a plan and prepare that it will change. It’s important for things to be fluid and evolve and be a continuous learner. How we take in information has changed so much since I was in traditional school, and educating others doesn’t always have to be in a conventional way. Thinking outside the box, and constantly pivoting is important.

I want the world to know that my story may be mine, but we are in this life together. We all want to feel connected, supported, valued, heard, and most of all loved. Being sick or going through fertility issues is a very emotional and physical place. It can be isolating. I want my brand and my story to be that I know what it feels like to be where you are, because I was there. I want others to know I get it, and I will help them in whatever way they feel they are not getting from a conventional medicine practice, or from others in their circle. They can come to me and feel safe to be all the things that they are feeling and know they will be okay.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would love to take them to see the Downtown Mall. There are so many amazing little shops and small businesses that make Charlottesville the cutest little college town. One of my absolute favorites is this ice cream parlor called Chaps. It’s been there since 1985 and has a 50’s flare that continues to make it an iconic place to stop.

Of course, you can’t come here without taking a walk around the University of Virginia’s campus. The rotunda was designed by Thomas Jefferson himself and is the heart of the activities and events here.

I also always take guests to some of the best wineries here and that includes Veritas and Trump. Both boast beautiful grounds, hosts weddings and other events, and have exquisite tasting rooms. Summer or winter they are a must.

Finally, the Shenandoah National Forest skyline drive is a stop we must make. Visitors come from all around, especially in the fall to take in the colors and the sights of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are hiking trails and walks to enjoy, and some perfect spots for a picnic as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oooh that’s a tough one because so many thanks are necessary for so many.

Two people in my life that truly were integral in seeing this business come to fruition are Kimberli Davino-Wilson and my husband. Kimberli is someone I met through social media, and we instantly connected. She is so encouraging, honest, real, and pushes you to go for your dreams. My husband was the one that told me, “I can see how your face lights up when you speak to people about their health, you should find a way to make it happen.”

My fertility specialist, Dr. Christopher Williams, I also have to thank. I sought out his experience when I was diagnosed with fibroids. He removed them and 6 years later treated my fertility treatments that resulted in the birth of my daughter after a successful round of IVF. His practice and his staff made the entire experience one that changed my life and really propelled me into this space of wanting to serve other women going through this.

Finally, I would love to mention the Institute of Integrative Health, IIN. I found them last March as I was looking for education around how to bring my dream to a reality. Becoming a health coach seemed so far out of reach and this program they offered, spoke to me to loudly, I couldn’t ignore it. I enrolled immediately and completed my coursework in October. They facilitated how to jump right into your business. The curriculum was outstanding, the instruction and facilitators were amazing. I truly owe the preparation and the launching of my business to them and my experience with the program.

Website: harvesthealthwithheather.com

Instagram: harvesthealthwithheather

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harvest.health.with.heather

Image Credits
Sera Petras Photography