The Women’s Wellness Collaborative
an interview with Bridget Danner

After performing over 12,000 treatments, Bridgit Danner sold her successful, integrative Chinese Medicine clinic in 2017 to dedicate herself to reaching more people in the online space.

BOLD MOVE, one might say…but Bridgit’s fire and determination for helping women with hormone imbalance, chronic infections, autoimmunity and mold toxicity led the way from a brick n’ mortar business to one of virtual healing. In fact, I just took her free gut-hormone quiz and learned I have a thing or two I could do to improve mine. I also just downloaded her free 5-Day DIY Detox. The recipes look yummy!

After her own difficult postpartum experience, Bridgit became passionate about women’s health and began The Women’s Wellness Collaborative – an online health community providing resources from the top women’s health experts through blogs, videos, podcasts and online summits.

If you’re in a traditional healthcare practice and you want to create a successful online business, you’ll want to read more about Bridgit’s journey to helping thousands of women worldwide.

1. Tell us about your business – what’s your mission; your soul’s purpose and why you created your wellness business or service?

I originally got into the wellness field because I had a deep sensitivity for the environment from a young age. I studied Chinese Medicine and figured I could educate clients on natural living, and this would trickle down into environmental stewardship.

When I had my new clinic, I also had a new baby and I went into postpartum depression.  I had to learn some new tools to help myself.  I got a life coach and studied functional nutrition. I became passionate about helping other women and teaching this tools so that women can be able to do their mission in the world, and not be held back by anxiety and other health issues.

It’s also come full circle in that I get to educate about toxins and how we need to avoid these for hormonal health

3. How are you changing the face of healthcare and/or the wellness industry? How do you create, innovate or break the rules in healthcare?

My business is currently all online.  I’m certainly not the only one doing this, but really is still a newer concept in healthcare. But I love the convenience and reach of it.

Also a big concept in our company is collaboration.  That’s why we are called “Women’s Wellness Collaborative!” We collaborate with our clients, we interview experts in the field, and we have two coaches working on one client in our Restore Your Radiance program.

Lastly I say we practice “feminine functional nutrition.”  I am sad to see that functional medicine is becoming quick consults and a long list of supplements.  We are missing a huge component if we don’t really listen, if we don’t read between the lines and if we don’t treat the whole person.  We dig into the whole picture of our client’s life experience.

4. What personal and professional legacy or impact do you want to leave on the world?

The biggest professional ones are women’s empowerment and environmental stewardship.

Personally, I am not perfect but I always am working on myself to be kinder and play bigger.  I also want to be a good influence on my son’s development.

5. In your opinion, what is the most significant factor in healing or overall wellness?

I would say self reflection.  We tend to go, go, go and not stop to reflect on our actions and choices.  This stems, in me, from not being present and trying to be some way I am not.  When we slow down and think about what is most important, what is working and what is not, then we can invest our energy into learning a better way.

6. What do you wish people realized when it comes to their health or about the wellness industry?

I would say that you need to practice a balance of Do It Yourself and getting the right professional help.  Yes, you can learn a lot on blogs, etc and that’s great. But the relationship with someone who has your best interest in mind is really powerful. They are they not to fix you but to be your mirror and help you see what you aren’t able to see on your own.

7. How long did it take you to reach important milestones in your wellness business?
   And, what has really helped you move the needle in making your vision a reality?

I have been in practice since 2004 as an acupuncturist and ran a big clinic so I have had a lot of milestones there.  But frankly that model, where I was taking insurance, working like a dog, and not being paid my value was not working for me. So I guess my first milestone was deciding to pursue online coaching that really excited me.

After that, getting my first few clients was a huge deal for me.  Hosting my first summit was great, but later ones were much bigger and really grew my community and established me as an influencer in the online space.

This year I have hired three new team members, and that has been amazing. Having the support and people to talk to about ideas I know will take us much, much farther.

8. Tell us about the start-up scares: Was there a moment where you ever seriously contemplated giving up?

Oh yeah.  I have cried it out many times. It is very easy to get your hopes up and think that a webinar, a new program, etc will be a big win for you.  But then it’s a total flop.  And you start to compare yourself with others who seem to have it all.

But after every good cry I seem to re-connect with how much I really, really want this crazy online health business to be a success, and I keep going.

9. Did you ever fail or make a substantial mistake in business or organization? Any serious challenges? How did you overcome and resolve it?

I would say the biggest thing I question is why I stayed owning a clinic for 10 years when it was so hard for me.  It was stressful from the start and looking back it was never really a fit.  I did learn a ton there and met many great people, but it was so hard and I think I should have thrown in the towel much sooner.

On the other hand it was a great spiritual teacher for me, and I am proud of our staff and the many thousands of people we served. The clinic has a new owner now and still provides many treatments a day.  That is great, but I wonder if I stayed for the wrong reasons- like ego, routine, fear of loss.  I’ll never know.

10. What action has the most impact that you’ve taken to reach your goal/s?

For me, hosting some large online events has been the most impactful.

11. What would you tell your younger/earlier self about following your dreams?

I would say that you can’t let failures be ‘proof’ that you can’t make it.  Setbacks are normal and par for the course as you pursue your dreams.  Don’t take them personally, and don’t really invest in them at all, unless it’s to say, “how could I do it better next time?”

12. What’s the best piece of business or personal advice YOU’VE ever received?

Well I don’t know if it’s the best but it’s what comes to mind: focus on your craft; not the number of followers.  Enjoy creating what you are creating.  Do it better.

13. What’s the #1 piece of advice you would give a new Wellness professional who really wants to make an impact in healthcare and people’s lives?

There are lots of ways to make an impact.  You don’t have to go do it like anyone else.  You don’t have to go online if you don’t want to.  You don’t have to do a podcast because everyone seems to have them.  You DO have to get your information to people though, so find a way to consistently do that.  Even if it’s asking for referrals or talking at your local gym, all that matters is that you reaching out and are ultimately influencing others to be healthy.

14. What does a typical work day look like for you?

I try to leave my mornings clear so I can crank out blog writing or projects in the morning.  I work from home so I’m lucky that I can make lunch or go to Pilates mid-day. It’s important to have breaks.  I try to leave busier work or phone meetings for later in the day when my son may be home or my energy is lower.

15. Stevie Wonder or The Beatles? (this, I personally must know.) 

Both classics but I’ll say Stevie Wonder.

You can find Bridgit in front of the camera or helping thousands behind her computer with The Women’s Wellness Collaborative. Don’t forget to take her download her free 5-day DIY Detox kit – it only takes two secs and you’ll learn a lot!