Meet Kate Van Es

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kate Van Es. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

firstName}, thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us about a deeply personal and sensitive topic. Postpartum depression affects so many in the community and hearing from someone who has overcome PPD might help someone who is going through it right now. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience

I overcame postpartum depression by confronting a challenging transition into motherhood, which had caught me unprepared. Coming from a life of adventure—traveling the world and training dolphins—my surprise pregnancy brought an abrupt halt to my unorthodox lifestyle. Giving birth at the height of the COVID lockdowns, I felt trapped in the suburbs, and my sense of identity was lost. I struggled deeply, disconnected from my husband and baby, and sought escape through unhealthy behaviors like alcohol. It wasn’t until I asked for help that my mom, a functional medicine NP, and I started examining the root causes of my depression. We discovered the profound impact of mineral depletion, nervous system dysregulation, and the cortisol-driven lifestyle, especially postpartum. I also realized I needed to commit to hard challenges, building resilience through discipline, workouts, and even marathons, teaching myself not to quit when things got tough—a pattern I had followed for years. Diving into functional nutrition, I learned how minerals and metabolic processes are key to restoring gut health, hormones, and neurotransmitters. By finding personalized nervous system regulation strategies, I transitioned out of the constant “flight” response and finally found peace. Now, my mom and I run a functional medicine practice that helps other women facing postpartum struggles, thyroid issues, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, and more, by getting to the root cause.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

At She-Health, we focus on helping women understand the deep connection between their metabolism, nutrient and mineral balance, and overall health. Our practice stems from the belief that metabolism isn’t just about burning calories—it’s the foundation for how our bodies produce energy, regulate hormones, and support mental well-being. Many women experience symptoms like fatigue, thyroid imbalances, hormonal issues, and anxiety, without realizing that the root cause often lies in metabolic dysfunction and mineral depletion.

What makes our approach truly special is that we go beyond surface-level symptoms to explore how internal stressors ( blood sugar, gut dysbiosis, heavy metals, mineral imbalances, liver congestion etc. ) and external stressors ( lifestyle, environment, behaviors etc.) are impacting the body’s ability to regulate itself. We take a holistic view, focusing on mineral balancing and addressing the cortisol-driven lifestyles that keep women stuck in survival mode. By restoring nervous system function and metabolic health through practical, sustainable strategies, we guide our clients toward long-term healing.

Unlike traditional functional medicine that often relies heavily on supplements, tests, and extreme diets, we focus on developing real partnerships with our clients. We uncover the lifestyle patterns, behaviors, and stressors that are keeping them from fully healing. We don’t believe in endless protocols or quick fixes—our goal is to empower women with the tools they need for sustainable wellness, from nutrition and mineral support to transforming their environment and lifestyle.

We’re especially excited about our 30-Day Jumpstart to Restored Metabolism, designed to help women restore metabolic function without extreme interventions. This program focuses on supporting metabolism naturally through personalized nutrition, minerals, and lifestyle shifts that promote real, lasting balance. Whether you’re struggling with postpartum issues, thyroid imbalance, or chronic fatigue, we work alongside you to uncover and address the root causes of your symptoms.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, there are three qualities or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful:

Mineral Balance: Minerals are the spark plugs for nearly every function in the body—energy production, hormone regulation, and nervous system function. Understanding how critical mineral balance is has transformed my approach to healing. For anyone early in their journey, start by learning how mineral imbalances can affect metabolism, digestion, and stress response. Focus on how to restore those balances, particularly through whole, nutrient-dense foods instead of supplements that target isolated nutrients.

True Nutrient Density: It’s so different from what most people think of as “healthy” or geared toward weight loss. Real nutrient density means focusing on foods that are rich in bioavailable vitamins and minerals, not just low-calorie or “clean” options. People often get caught up in trends that deprive their bodies of the nutrients needed for energy and hormone health. My advice is to relearn what “nourishing” truly means by incorporating foods like organ meats, seafood, dairy and rich broths, which have been forgotten in modern diets.

Resilience: Building resilience is key to managing chronic stress and a dysregulated nervous system. Resilience isn’t about avoiding stress, but about how quickly and effectively you can bounce back from it. I’ve learned to purposefully put myself in situations that activate my stress response (like lifting heavy weights) and then practice tools that bring me back into a parasympathetic state, like deep breathing and restorative movement. It’s also important to develop resilience through relationships with others for support and accountability. For anyone starting out, I recommend focusing on nervous system flexibility, intentionally incorporating both stressors and restorative practices.

The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to consistently reflect on your behaviors and patterns, especially the ones that keep you stuck in the stress loop. Identify these, and when you catch yourself, remember to pause, reset, and move toward balance.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is someone who is ready to dig deeper and understand the root cause of their health challenges rather than just managing symptoms. They have likely tried the conventional approaches—medications, diets, supplement protocols, or various workout routines—but haven’t found the lasting relief they’re looking for. They might be dealing with persistent issues like fatigue, weight gain, hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, or anxiety, and they are finally open to looking at the bigger picture of how their lifestyle, stress patterns, and nervous system are all connected to these challenges.

A key characteristic of my ideal client is a willingness to engage in the process of self-discovery. They’re open to learning about their body and how it responds to stress, food, and habits. They are also ready to question some of the more traditional or popular advice they’ve been following, such as extreme diets, detoxes, over-exercising, or chasing more testing and supplements, and embrace a more holistic approach.

Additionally, they are committed to making lifestyle changes, understanding that healing takes time and requires effort. They are coachable and want to develop a partnership where we can work together to identify patterns, behaviors, and practical solutions that will help them regain control of their health.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.she-health.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/she_health_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShehealthLLC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shesuperiorhealthexperienc6975