We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Shannyn Fowl ND and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Shannyn, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I really love traveling and having adventures in new places. It opens up my perspective on how diverse, creative and vast we as humans can be. Culture is such an interesting thing to experience with different behaviors, perspectives and priorities. From history in museums to vitamin nature in national parks to present day entertainment, they broaden my horizons. It is fun to start the day not knowing what will be next. I am also really into knitting. You will often find me carrying a project of yarn around with me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I started my journey in natural medicine in my teens with a lot of curiosity about why people got sicker even when going to the doctor. Cancer diagnosis in the family and my own health crisis made me feel a bit hopeless, like there were answers out there. Botanical (plant medicine) books caught my interest and then I studied to be a midwife for a couple years. As a nurse aide for 15 years, I saw a lot of health issues and how challenging they were for the whole family. It wasn’t quite enough I wanted more training in how to help the whole family. I knew there must be some old answers from well established societies in the past. When I learned about Naturopathic Medicine- the art of old fashioned medicine blending with present day science and I was hooked. What an incredible world of bringing balance and finding natural options to give patients hope!
During my Bachelor’s, I helped with a post-doctoral Neuroimmunology Lab projects for 2 years followed by my doctorate from National University of Natural Medicine with an Honors in Research from Helfgott Research Institute. During my Doctorate, I also did research in an immunology lab at the VA hospital in Portland, OR. Understanding how science is conducted behind the treatment plan has helped me pass on these insights to patients.
I have done a lot teaching along the way and teach my patients every day about how their body works, what it is saying, how treatments work long term and what the research says. Patients become empowered which is a thrill for me.
In our office, patients become like family. They begin to realize not only the power of nature but the power the body has to heal if given the right tool(s). Our toolbox is full of options which is a good thing since each person and their experience is different. We work as hard as our patients do to get them better and reach their goals. Seeing patients find answers is my soul work.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a free spirit without inhibition. Very much like a fairy granting wishes to all I came across. Instantly able to break into song and dance or act out a scene without worry of the time it would take or the judgment it might bring. Much spontaneity and flitting about. I could enthusiastically convince anyone close to me, friend or stranger to join me in a good cause.
At some point, I was reigned into the reality that not everyone wanted to join me or do good or receive the enthusiasm that I had. That the looks were more than curiosity and perhaps I should keep to myself. In some ways, this motivated me to find new ways to organize my need to encourage and do good and be less public about it. My focus went into education and educating others. However, I still like to find small ways to do a good deed invisibly, cook for others spontaneously and you will always find me willing to chat about my knitting project that I am surely making as a gift.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Oh goodness. Wounds of the past are many but I think the hardest wound to tackle from my background of being in a cult is understanding the use of fear and guilt as control. Trying to make decisions when you have fear and guilt constantly telling you what you should and should not do really is consuming. It makes you think everyone is judging, I am doomed to fail and trying to believe that you can simply decide what’s for dinner is possible, let alone deciding a future. My walking in circles in the parking lot trying to decide if I could eat chicken is very vivid in my mind. When you have been conditioned, your self esteem really is non existent. It took many many patient people and many little successes to understand that I could succeed, I could get my GED and people could like me. I have a new definition of fear, certainly a smaller beast with resources and my background allows me to pick up on such obstacles when working with patients. Living your best life does not include misappropriated fear or guilt.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In the medical field in general, we tend to think that if we take this pill or supplement, it will solve a particular problem or symptom. This thinking can lead to more prescriptions or a cabinet full of medications. It may hold things at bay but our focus should be on nourishing the body’s systems and returning to normal physiology. This allows us to treat the whole person and believe that the body really does want to heal given the right tools. Prevention is the key to many ailments not waiting for something horrible to happen so we can treat it. Signs and symptoms are the body giving us information. Listening to these helps us understand how to create balance and prevent a lot of dis-ease.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Education courses. I am converting my classes that I taught at community college into modules that can easily be accessed online. I have had a lot of students over the years and will miss the in person teaching and interactions, however scheduling conflicts and obstacles with educational institutes make it a necessary move. Education empowers and makes better decision making as well as empowers people to use natural tools as simple as food and lifestyle to as complex as homeopathy and water as their medicine. I am looking forward to teaching a new philosophy about health, encouraging them to believe in their bodies and the tools.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.journeyofhealth.org
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannyn-fowl-nd-36463916/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JourneyofHealth
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@journeyofhealthinformation3226
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