Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Julie Freeman

Julie Freeman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Julie, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
Ah, such a great question and one that I posted on briefly the other day! Are you a dietitian or nutritionist? My response to this question is both AND with a capital A, N, D.

I was trained in the late 70s (OMG, did I just reveal my age) as a dietitian and found much to be underwhelming except for the program being part of the Home Economics Division (another clue to my era) where we cooked, planned, created beauty and ambiance with both food and the setting from Day One.

I’ve written cookbooks, been on national television sharing healthy food preparation and have been a consultant for family owned supermarket chains where quality and education for both staff and customer were important.

There was not much available in the whole health movement back then, so my road less traveled took me to graduate studies in counseling and mental health, post-graduate certifications in mind-body medicine, functional medicine, yoga and reiki.

I use the best of both conventional medicine and functional-integrative medicine with a sprinkle of ancient wisdom built in. This is where the AND comes in, an alchemy of sorts.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a licensed nutritionist and functional medicine provider and my clients are national, occasionally international. I see people in person, via telehealth and love working with groups as well as providing seminars and workshops.

I am in the process of reworking my website, updating for additional services to be available in the next few months.

I am unique in that I have been trained in the conventional sciences as well as what may still be called “alternative medicine”. I do look at data and I tap into my intuition when working with clients to support and guide them into perhaps unknown areas for them. Examples include looking at the client’s history from pre-birth until now – what brought you here? Most often it is a health challenge, but that provides a beginning to safely “peel the layers of the onion” as the client feels ready. I prefer to work in collaboration, often being the team lead with providers and mental health clinicians. I stay abreast of the latest in psychedelic medicines and TMS as potential alternatives to conventional mental health treatments in treatment resistant cases and also in women’s health where research is quite promising.

I use a Food As Medicine approach and often refer to the ADLs (activities of daily living acronym from my nursing consulting many years ago). The food on the plate, how it is prepared and how it is eaten (standing, sitting, with attention and gratitude or not) provides information for every cell in the body.

While I can and do order functional labs, I look at what has been done already, determine if more information is needed and most importantly, will the data be actionable? Can or will the client be able to take action based upon test results. Rather than being reductionistic as both conventional and functional medicine can be at times, I like to look at the bog picture, co-create a prioritized plan of action and be there for support and accountability.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As I sat at the maple kitchen table on Belle Ave in the second grade, my folks would stand over me yelling, “what’s that matter with you, are you stupid?” I gained 50# that year and my nickname became “Fat Fern”, after my last name, Fernekees.

I struggled with math facts and reading comprehension. I had weak ankles that turned over and had to wear ugly tied shoes. I was often left out from games because I wasn’t good at running. I was alone a lot and was an only child. but I also met my best friend that year and we are still “best buddies” to this very day.

Were my parents bad parents – not at all! They wanted for me what they didn’t have, yet as a child and one who was/is sensitive, perceptive, empathic, I felt misunderstood.

I became an over achiever – national honor society, national math and science society, who’s who award, but learning remained hard and took a lot of time and effort.

Fast forward after having my two daughters, they also hit a wall in the second grade. Only by the time they were in school, there were services – neuropsych testing, executive function specialists – and I took advantage of these opportunities immediately.

As I read their reports, the tears came streaming down. Both were highly intelligent, in fact quite high in IQ, but they struggled with executive function and mild inattentive ADHD issues, something very manageable with support. And of course, we worked with an amazing coach and neuropsychologist who even attended school meetings.

One of the gifts from my personal struggles and those of my daughters, is that I am not only perceptive and aware that this may be operating in one’s struggle with self-esteem, but also how to support clients nutritionally and emotionally in the journey with a mind-body approach.

I now no longer see myself as stupid but as one who has a different learning style. I seek support where needed which happens to be mostly in technology. The language of programs and apps is challenging, but I have my peeps who I ask for help!

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
This is a great question because I have never been one to give up – pivot, redirect, revise – would be more appropriate words to describe how I have navigated life.

I’ve had a long-term dream since college days to create a healing place, the hospital of the future. This would be akin to a retreat yet not the way that most retreats are set up – only for the wealthy, not truly based upon the inner and outer healing.

I’ve had to put that vision on hold for some time due to personal health challenges and family health challenges which have impacted my financial world, but I never say never!

When faced with significant life circumstances, I bring myself back to quiet, to where I can listen to my inner voice of truth and revisit my passion and purpose in this life. Sometimes that is easier than others but I also know that feelings and emotions are not permanent – they ebb and flow like the water.

I am committed to being a small, but influential beacon of light in this world that is so desperately needed. And I do not take this responsibility lightly!

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I do believe that my public version is the real me! In fact, for better or worse, I’ve kept my social media on my personal site because I share me, my life, my highs and lows, in sickness and in health. I call my work and life, “lifework” because there is no separation between them.

I care deeply. I aim for peace. I believe that community, collaboration and relationships are key for universal harmony.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe that I am doing what I was born to do and sure has not been an easy road. In fact, I wrote a short book, Sunflowers, Sapphires and Seraphim about 8 years ago to share a bit about this journey of transformation. It is now time for the sequel and the journey continues.

I take each roadblock as a lesson to learn, to adjust as needed and continue on the path – a path centered around whole health in mind-body-spirit, not only for individuals, but families, communities and our world.

I’ve held peace events, bringing my fellow musician community together to share songs of hope – music has powerful healing frequencies.

I gather people together to build a community of joy, peace and resilience – and usually feed them in the process! I love the concept of the Blue Zones where family, community and being in relationship with our precious environment fosters well-being.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliefreemannutrition/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliefreemannutrition/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliefreemannutrition

Image Credits
Carina Fleckner