Check Out Lauren McTigue’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren McTigue.

Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From my very first period, I knew something wasn’t right. For 16 years, I lived with debilitating pain, fatigue, and brain fog, but every doctor I saw dismissed me. I started to believe it was my fault—that if I worked out more, ate better, or stressed less, maybe I wouldn’t hurt so much. But the truth was bigger than me. The solutions, the diagnosis, and the care weren’t out of reach because I wasn’t trying hard enough, but because I was a woman.

I was living with endometriosis, one of the most painful and underdiagnosed diseases in the world. It took more than 25 doctors and countless hospital visits before I finally received the surgery that gave me relief. I was 32 years old, paying out of pocket, when I finally got a diagnosis.

That experience taught me that women+—those with a uterus and all who experience cyclical hormone changes—aren’t suffering because we’re weak or lack willpower. We’re suffering because our health has been under-researched, underfunded, and overlooked. That truth sits at the heart of my work today.

I founded Half of Us Collective to change what care looks like. As a Nutritional Therapist and Hormone Health Expert, I help women+ manage symptoms through food and lifestyle shifts, while also working to create solutions that don’t place the entire burden on them. This January, I’m launching Hormonally Supportive Meals, a community initiative that partners with local restaurants to bring hormonally supportive options to menus across Fort Collins. Because true hormonal health shouldn’t rely solely on individual effort—it should be supported by the systems and communities we live in.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Wow, it has been a ride to say the least. Over the last two years, I have learned so much about what it takes to sustain both my business and myself. I am actually really grateful for many of the struggles because they pushed me to completely reimagine my business model, shifting from primarily B2C to mostly B2B, while still staying true to my mission and vision. That transition was not easy, but it has been deeply rewarding. I am sure there will still be challenges ahead, but I have learned to see them as part of the process rather than a setback.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work sits at the intersection of nutrition, education, and advocacy. I specialize in hormonal health for women+ and help people understand the full picture of how their hormones, lifestyle, and environment interact. Before founding my business, I spent years working in the nonprofit world, where I saw how deeply systemic many of our health challenges really are. That experience shaped the foundation of what I do today.

I believe that creating lasting change requires both individualized care and systemic solutions. I work one-on-one with clients to help them feel better in their own bodies, but I also collaborate with community partners, schools, and local restaurants to build environments that make hormonally supportive living more accessible for everyone.

What I am most proud of is that my work not only helps women+ feel seen and supported, but also pushes the conversation forward about how our communities, workplaces, and healthcare systems can do better. I think what sets me apart is that I approach hormonal health as both a personal journey and a cultural movement.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love resources that help me stay both curious and grounded. All in Her Head by Elizabeth Comen and Unwell Women by Elinor Cleghorn have been really powerful reads for me. They dive into the history of women’s health and help me stay connected to the “why” behind my work.

For day-to-day organization and creativity, I use tools like YNAB to keep my finances intentional and Notion for planning and tracking projects. I also listen to podcasts like Maintenance Phase and We Can Do Hard Things when I need a reminder that growth and progress are rarely linear.

Most of all, I try to stay inspired by the stories of the women+ I work with every day. Their resilience and honesty are the greatest resource I have.

Pricing:

• Single Consultation: $135
• 3- Month package: $685

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.halfofuscollective.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halfofuscollective

Image Credits
Teaching Free Community Education Classes at Old Town Poudre Library