Hidden Gems: Meet Natalie Connolly of Nourish

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Connolly.

Hi Natalie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started college with a dream I would become a labor and delivery nurse. I was always fascinated with birth itself, but more importantly, I was enamored with helping the mothers. I switched my major six times until landing a Bachelor of Science in Care, Health & Society. Little did I know that the science side of things was so interesting to me, but I felt more pulled to the energetics and emotional aspect of things. I graduated with three different minors, worked through college, and completed my 200-hour certification to become a yoga instructor during my senior year. After graduation, I felt burnt out and wanted to live life a little. I decided to teach yoga full time after graduation, move to Denver, CO, to start my new life, and figure out my next steps.

During that first year of teaching, I noticed a lot of issues with my own health. I started to dive deeper into the root causes of my health problems and embarked on a self-healing journey with aromatherapy and herbalism. As I was healing, I noticed the lack of support, knowledge & clarity women had around all different things. For example, menstrual problems, postpartum depression, traumatic birth stories & just the need for help and support without judgment. I remember turning to my partner, telling him I wanted to do something about women’s health and help from the ground up.

I quickly enrolled in a DONA International birth and postpartum doula certification and instantly fell in love. Going through school and finishing up the certificate was very scary that first year of being a Doula. I was taking a less traveled route, and at times I felt like it was not going to work out. I struggled financially for a long time until my business was up and running and I was so grateful to have my partner support me. Even when things did not seem like they were looking up, he encouraged me to keep going and try my best.
I am so grateful for these five years in Denver, finding my way and understanding what I am meant to do in this lifetime.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not a smooth road at all. My family would repeat the word doula back to me in question like I was crazy. This had me question if what I was doing was the right thing and constantly hearing from peers and close relatives, “you should just be a teacher, you would be so great at that,” or “you have a degree, why don’t you go get a 9-5?” It was frustrating and hard to see all my peers making money or moving up the “ladder”. Teaching and practicing yoga always kept me going, though, it allowed me to know that this life is supposed to be lived and to love what you do for work is essential. I remember having a challenging conversation with my mom when I was teaching 15 yoga classes a week just to keep my head above water. She had just seen me work so hard at this and for there to be no return, yet she was concerned and acting from a place of motherly love. She told me that I needed to take two-three more months to figure this “doula thing” out or I needed to change my path. I often look back on that conversation and remember the warm tears that streamed down my face and am overly grateful I kept going. Three weeks after that conversation, I landed my first client and was over the moon. About six months after that, I got a call from Intuitive Birth and was offered a job working in their birth and postpartum doula group.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us more about your business?
Nourish By Natalie was designed to nourish the women of the world. I have a background in aromatherapy, herbalism, yoga, meditation, birth doula support, postpartum support, and food/cooking support.

I am diving deep into the birth world, where I have learned so much. This has allowed me to work and nourish mothers prenatally, during birth, and postpartum. We talk about what to expect during the prenatal process, go over the birthing process, prenatal yoga, and any questions/fears they might have. During the birth, I am there to help with emotional support, advice, physical positions to help get that baby out safely, and so much more. Postpartum or fourth trimester is a place that is so close to my heart. My mom always would share with me how her postpartum depression was so natural and no one listened, helped or had a clue what she was going through. I am there to cook for you, process things and shed light, knowing this is just a season and it will get better.
What sets me apart from others is that I genuinely want to help make this beautiful season one to remember that is surrounded by peace, love and ease. You only get to bring this sweet baby into the world once and to do it with presence is such a gift.

My services range. It just depends on what you and your family need at the time. Right now, I am working with a client who is 12 weeks pregnant and having the worst morning sickness but lasting all day. I drop off meals, juices, and smoothies twice a week to help her get something yummy in her tummy! Regarding birth, this year is already filling up and reach out with your due date to see if I have space. If not, I can be there postpartum to support you and your family and help the 4th trimester be full of love and laughter.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Reaching out through email:

natalie@intuitivebirth.com

Contact Info:

• Website: nourishbynat.com
• Instagram: naatalieconnolly
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/intuitive-birth-denver

Image Credits
@Sofiasdreamphotography Emily- CO photographer