Meet Colleen Kurtz | Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner & Clinical Therapist

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

Hi Colleen, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I like to think of balance as feeling that I have management over my time and the capacity to do what needs to be done daily. This is an ever evolving process though! I am constantly asking myself what is and is not working, tweaking what’s not, and finding better ways to feel that sense of balance. When I feel that my life is more balanced, it involves feeling accomplished at the end of the day, that I have the capacity to engage fully with my family, as well as carving out time for myself to replenish.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 14 years, and spent my career working inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, inpatient medical, trauma, and hospice. I loved my work, but saw my patients continue to decline despite receiving top medical care. I watched them circle through medication after medication and suffer through side effects, lack of medication response, and overall a bandaid approach that left them sicker, more depressed, and frustrated.

My passion for nutrition, healing, and wellness took a deep dive after my own health declined over 15 years ago. I was tired and sleeping ALL the time, my whole body hurt, I was so chronically bloated I looked pregnant, I was taking WAY too many medications that didn’t do anything. I saw every specialist under the sun, was evaluated for cancer, brain tumor, MS, heart disease, & more to still be told everything was “fine”. “Fine” and frustrated. I even remember awaiting test results to see if I had cancer and I prayed they were positive so we could at least KNOW what we were dealing with and finally take action.

It wasn’t until I took my health into my own hands, took a functional approach, made some MAJOR diet changes, somewhat begrudgingly, and saw a HUGE improvement within 2 weeks. I was off almost all of my medications and felt like I was finally coming out of a cloud. I was able to be more present with husband and actually spend time with him after work instead of going right to bed. We were able to have conversations about our days, spend time working on our house and garden, and spend time with friends without me having to leave early, or take a nap, or sleeping all day.

It wasn’t just that my physical symptoms improved, so has my own mental health. Diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, this was the first time in my life I was able to stop medication and be able to focus in school and work without forgetting things and feeling overwhelmed with my assignments. Instead of coming home and sleeping after work because of how exhausted I was, I was able to spend time cooking meals, going on dates, and spending time with my husband for the first time in our marriage.

Experiencing my own health decline and witnessing the repeated dismissal of my patients’ health issues during my years in the medical field have fueled my passion to assist others on their healing journey. I am particularly dedicated to emphasizing the crucial connection between gut health and mental well-being, recognizing the reciprocal influence between the two. Each person’s journey is unique, and I am committed to diving deep to get the answers they deserve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m from Tampa, so first and foremost would be the beach! You can’t come to Florida without a visit to the beach and a swim in the pool. I’m a pretty low key person, so spending time in quieter settings where you can have a conversation is always my preferred. Some of my favorite places to visit include Sparkman’s Wharf, Armature Works, the Tampa Riverwalk, and a cute little coffee shop I recently discovered.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where to even start! My husband first and foremost, has been my rock and cheerleader throughout my schooling, business building, and all those times I’ve doubted myself. My ongoing schooling from both Nutritional Therapy Association and Restorative Wellness Solutions. These programs allowed me to make a shift in my career that I wasn’t sure was possible, feel confident in doing so, and provide me with the tools and support needed along the way. I’d also say the team of highly skilled and amazing women, they are always there for support, build each other up.

Website: www.mindfully-nourished.com

Instagram: @colleen_mindfullynourished