Q&A with Brooke Davis BSN, RN, CCM, CHC

Today we'll be chatting with Healthier Existence founder Brooke Davis. Brooke specializes in working with women experiencing hormonal imbalances as well as those with other reproductive health concerns, and she has deep experience helping clients with PCOS, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, and infertility. She also helps with more general health concerns like weight loss, transitioning off of birth control, and more. Healthier Existence focuses on helping women leverage nutrition and other healthy lifestyle habits to improve their hormonal health and fertility.

Something worth mentioning about Brooke is her many certifications: as a registered nurse (RN) and certified health coach (CHC), Brooke is a great example of someone that leverages several qualifications in her aim to support her clients’ health. Pollie applauds Brooke’s decision to build upon her RN degree by pursuing a certification in women’s health, and her story will certainly be an inspiring one for those of you curious to dip your toes into the realm of “provider entrepreneurship.”

If Brooke is a provider you would like to work with, you can book an introductory call with her here. She has several programs to choose from and also offers shopping tours for those local to Columbus, OH, group coaching, and corporate wellness workshops.

When did you decide you wanted to dedicate yourself to helping women with hormonal imbalances?

Brooke: Years ago, I struggled with menstrual pain, ovarian cysts, acne, and PMS. I also developed a fibroid that needed to be removed. Initially, I assumed that there was little that could be done about these issues and that they were out of my control. I thought cramps and PMS were just the normal part of being a woman. I was told that ovarian cysts sometimes “just developed” during childbearing years, and that fibroids were common place for some women, especially women of color with my family history of a mom and grandmother who had them as well. After changing my diet and incorporating other healthy lifestyle habits in my routine, I was amazed at how I was able to change all of these things completely. I realized that I did have control of my hormonal and menstrual health. I then decided that I wanted to help other women do the same, pursue my certification as a women’s health coach, and start my own business.

You're an RN and certified health coach. Why did you choose to pursue this combination, and how does it uniquely allow you to help your patients?  

Brooke: I knew that I wanted to be a nurse when I was in high school. I was always interested in the medical field, how the human body works…and I knew that I wanted to help and serve others. I’ve been very fulfilled in my nursing career but decided that I wanted to also pursue a certification as a women’s health coach to complement my nursing education. Nursing is focused a lot on disease and illness and how to help patients once they are diagnosed with a condition. After my own hormone health journey, I wanted to pursue supplemental education that focused on nutrition, prevention, as well as alternative and complementary strategies to wellness. With my nursing background in addition to my certification as a women’s health coach, this allows me to help many women, with a wide array of health histories and concerns, using a multifaceted approach.

What advice do you have for other men and women who are considering pursuing an RN degree or health coach certification? What's important to keep in mind about both when it comes to the scope of patient care?

Brooke: I encourage anyone interested in pursuing a RN degree or health coaching certification to go for it! Both are so rewarding. The coursework may be rigorous at times, but it’s so worth it. When working as a RN and/or certified health coach, you definitely have to keep your scope of practice in mind. For example, both a nurse and certified health coach are unable to diagnose conditions or prescribe medications. Keeping that in mind, I will often educate and help empower my clients to know what testing to request from their doctors or what supplements to speak with their providers about that may help their symptoms.

What can one of your patients expect in their first few visits?

Brooke: During our first few sessions, clients can expect us to discuss their health history in detail as we move forward with a customized plan personalized for their unique needs. No two people are the same and there is no one size fits all approach. My goal is for my clients to find out what works best for there body, and I am here to help them along that journey.

What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for managing a hormonal imbalance?

Brooke: Make sure that you include a healthy fat, protein, and veggie with every meal, eat enough fiber daily, limit your sugar intake, eat organic as often as possible, avoid processed foods, develop a healthy sleep routine, and focus on minimizing stress.

How do you like to communicate with your patients?  

Brooke: I try to make communication easy for my clients and use a multitude of options. Local clients can meet in person, we can communicate virtually via video chat, as well as over the phone and through email and text.

What are the challenge areas in today’s health system for women trying to manage their hormonal health? Are there any “hacks” in the system patients should be aware of to maximize their access to quality hormonal health experts?

Brooke: It can be challenging today for women to manage certain hormonal health issues within the current health system, especially for women experiencing things that are seen as “normal”, such as PMS, menstrual cramps etc. Often times they are given the impression that this is just “part of the course” or prescribed a birth control pill and sent on their way. Patients are often left thinking that there is really no solution. Or often times a band-aid is placed, where the root cause is never identified. By seeking out naturopathic and alternative medicine providers, health coaches, and other women’s health professionals, patients may be able to manage a lot of their health concerns naturally, with good nutrition and other healthy habits.

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