IAM2760 – Fertility Awareness Educator Teaches Women on Natural Birth Control

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Transcription:

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 00:00
try stuff. You learn more by doing than by thinking. So, if you have an idea, if there's something that you've always wanted to do, if there's something that you're kind of toying with and you're not sure how it's going to work and you haven't figured out all the steps, you don't have to figure out the steps.

Gresham Harkless 00:42
Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I Am CEO Podcast, and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Lisa Hendrickson-Jack. She is the author of The Fifth Vital Sign. Lisa, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 00:52
Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here.

Gresham Harkless 00:54
Super excited to have you on. And what I wanted to do was just read a little bit more about Lisa so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. Elisa is a certified fertility awareness educator and holistic reproductive health practitioner who teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles for natural birth control, conception, and monitoring overall health. In her new book, The Fifth Vital Sign, Lisa debunks the myth that regular ovulation is only important when you want children by recognizing the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Drawing heavily from the current scientific literature, Lisa presents an evidence-based approach to fertility awareness and menstrual cycle optimization. She hosts the Fertility Friday podcast, a weekly radio show devoted to helping women women connect their fifth vital sign by uncovering the connection between menstrual cycle health, fertility, and overall health. Lisa, are you ready to speak to the IMCL community?

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 01:39
I am.

Gresham Harkless 01:40
Awesome. Let's do it. So to kick everything off, I wanted to hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story and what led you to get started with your, your podcast and your book.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 01:48
Well, I mean, I have this unique background in, in women's health, specifically the menstrual cycle and, um, fertility awareness, cycle charting, and connecting the menstrual cycle to overall health. And for, you know, I would say in my early 20s, that's when I first started this work, but I didn't see a career. I couldn't figure out how I would make that a reality. And so, you know, I did the typical things people do. I have a university degree. I had a great job. And then when I had my first son, so I was doing this on the side, like it was something that I was just constantly doing. It's always a part of my life. But it was never something I was doing for a career. And so fast forward, I had my first son and something changed when I became a mom. So before I became a mom, I had organized my life the way I thought that it should look to be a parent. So, you know, full-time 9 to 5, like that seemed like a good idea. But when you have a child, all of a sudden the 9 to 5 is hard because your child is awake during the day and you know, in my house, my kids go to bed pretty early, so they're in bed by like 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock, you know, depending on how successful bedtime goes. And so when you're out of the house that whole time basically, and you just see them for the small period of time, like it was a big shock for me when I went back to work. And then, you know, another big shock was the cost of childcare in order for me to go to work. So, um, that all kind of happened around the same time also as, um, you know, I had my first son when I was 30 years old. And around that time I always joke that my Facebook feed was full of babies. But what that also meant was that it really occurred to me how many women and couples are struggling to conceive. And when you learn, I mean, I know we're not talking about fertility today a whole lot, but when you understand how to identify when in the cycle you're fertile and when you understand that a lot of the myths that we're told about our cycle aren't true, so Growing up, I was taught that I was fertile all the time and, you know, I would get pregnant basically looking at a guy, but it turns out it doesn't work like that. So what I realized was that so many women and couples don't have this basic information that I had been taking for granted and teaching all this time. And so all of those things kind of came together and it occurred to me that I should put this information out there. So I started with the podcast and it was kind of like a test. Like, I know this stuff changed my life and it changed everything for me. I wanna know if You know, the greater world at large also wants to know. And so it'll be the 5th year of the podcast this year. It turns out that they did want to know. So, um, that was basically the start of this going from more of a passion, um, something that I was always doing on the side to my actual career.

Gresham Harkless 04:30
Nice. I definitely appreciate that because I think a lot of times, uh, and I think like it's a beautiful part of this kind of golden age where, you know, you can kind of have your own platform, whether it be a podcast, blog. You know, so many different ways we can kind of express ourselves. And I think a lot of times just kind of, kind of like what you spoke to where we often use it to just maybe express or vent or maybe do research or whatever that might be. And then all of a sudden you start to get that following because you're not the only one that's craving that information or looking for that information.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 04:57
Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, at the time, so it's the, it looks a lot different now in the fertility space, but at the time when I first started my podcast, there weren't a whole lot of fertility podcasts. Like now there's hundreds of them. Like hundreds, plural. But when I first started, there was not that many, and there hadn't ever been a podcast about fertility awareness specifically. And yeah, there were people putting out information about fertility awareness, but it just wasn't the same. So I, I remember kind of knowing that and feeling like I did have something to share, and I, I just, I just did it. And it did help that I was one of the early adopters, of course. And it still helps to this day because now I've had my foot in this field in, in that public way for quite a while. And so my latest project, as you mentioned, I wrote a book and I released it this January. So January 2019. And that was, I mean, there's a lot that happened in between starting the podcast and writing the book, but it was another way for me to continue spreading information. Because of course we all have to have a career and have a, a way to, you know, have a livelihood. But at the heart of what I do is my passion to share this information with women because it's pretty basic stuff, like how our body works and how the menstrual cycle works, considering how many women are on Earth and everyone's here because someone had menstrual cycle, like in case you didn't know. So it's pretty important stuff. So at the heart of what I do is this passion to bring this information to, to women. And I'm just, I feel very fortunate that I found a way to kind of blend my passion and those strong convictions with also a way to make a living.

Gresham Harkless 06:30
Yeah, absolutely. And definitely sounds like, like you said, you know, to be the key to humanity and make everybody's lives better and exist. In one fell swoop, right? So I know you touched on a little bit. Can you tell us a little bit more about your book, your podcast, and just kind of everything you're doing to support the clients you work with?

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 06:46
Well, yeah. So when I first started, I did not have any background in business or anything. So when I first started my podcast, I just— it was just a place for me to kind of explore. So I was sharing information that I knew about fertility awareness. At the very beginning when I started my podcast, though, I was doing only interviews. And of course it was an amazing way to learn from amazing guests who specialize in fertility. So I spent a couple of years basically interviewing amazing, um, professionals. And even though I have a lot of knowledge to share, it took me a while to gain the confidence to put it out there. I just kind of felt like, who's gonna wanna listen to me all the time? And it's kind of interesting 'cause things have changed a lot. Um, so in order to get myself to the point that I felt confident enough to put all that information out there, um, Yeah, I suppose I just had to kind of do it. I just had to kind of put it out there and talk about it. Yeah. So now the podcast looks a lot different because I do a lot of solo episodes where I share what I know and showcase my knowledge and expertise. So that was something that I didn't initially feel comfortable with, but I mean, at the end of the day, this is my field and I do specialize in it, so I'm happy to share about it. And I also do a lot of what I call reality series., sessions with actual clients of mine, and I'll do on-air client sessions to showcase, again, my skillset and, and what it is that we do. So, um, my business, uh, is a combination of— because a lot of people think a podcast is a business. A podcast is not a business. A podcast is a marketing tool for your business. A podcast is a way for you to share information and ideas and connect with your audience and help them to gain some insight into who you are. And what you do, but, um, a podcast actually costs money to produce. It is not free. A blog is freer. I'm just going to make up that word, but a blog is freer than a podcast. A podcast requires, um, a lot of, you know, like there's production and unless you want to spend every waking moment editing your episode, eventually you kind of have to have some support to get it out there. Um, so I'm clear on that now. And so the podcast is the way for me to connect with my audience and share about what I'm doing and talk about the actual business part of it, which is my one-on-one work. So I have, you know, one-on-one coaching programs. I have group programs where I work with several women at a time, taking them through what we need to know. So for the audience who has no idea what fertility awareness is or why it might be important, you know, a lot of women have issues with birth control. And so some women go on birth control and they have a ton of side effects and they have emotional issues and sexual issues like low libido, loss of sex drive, et cetera. And so a lot of women have negative experiences and they might try to go from like, you know, different kind of different type to brands to, you know, the ring, the shot, the this or that. And a lot of women still don't have success. So the challenge for, for women in that situation is that you want to have effective birth control, but you don't necessarily want the hormones. And for some women, they're just concerned about their health. Like it occurs to them after eating organic and doing all of these great things that we're doing now,, but you're still taking the hormones every day. Like, so for a lot of women, it's just incongruent with what they're trying to do for their health. Mm-hmm. Um, so that's a part of it. So, you know, that's what I do with my group programs. And then also there's women who are trying to conceive and you have sex on all the days and it's not working. So you want some specific insight into how the cycle works. So, um, a lot of, so then the podcast kind of fits in to share that information. So when women are in those situations, they kind of know that I'm out there, whereas if I didn't have the podcast, they would have no idea that I'm out there doing this work. I appreciate that.

Gresham Harkless 10:15
And I wanted to switch gears a little bit, and I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO hack. So, this could be like an app, a book, or a habit that you have, but what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 10:26
Well, I'm gonna go with the truth, and it's probably gonna be really boring. So, what makes me the most effective is sleep. So, over the years, I've had a lot of opportunity to kind of pay attention to what works and what doesn't work. And You know, I'm a human being, so I fall off the rails sometimes, um, especially the stress of bringing a book into the world. And I actually also released like a workbook to go with it. So I had two books that I released this year, so it's a real busy year. So there were times when, um, the sleep kind of went out the window and I'm up late working on this or editing that or something. So for me personally, um, going to bed at a decent time, which for me is between usually 10 and 11, if I can be in my bed between 10 and 11, that's perfect. Um, sleeping in the dark. So actually hacking the sleep part of it and doing all those great things, not drinking coffee. A lot, like, you know, all the things that are going to help you to, to, to get a really good sleep.

Gresham Harkless 11:13
I appreciate you, uh, uh, explaining that as well. And now I want to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And this is a word of wisdom or a piece of advice, or if you can hop into a time machine, what would you tell your younger business self?

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 11:24
Well, I mean, if I could go back and talk to my younger self, because I think I did, I did a lot of things right. So if anything, um, and not everything, but there was a lot of stuff learning to do. Um, but What I did right, uh, and what I would suggest is to try stuff. You learn more by doing than by thinking. So if you have an idea, if there's something that you've always wanted to do, if there's something that you're kind of toying with and you're not sure how it's going to work, you haven't figured out all the steps, you don't have to figure out the steps. Um, I didn't— when I started my podcast, I didn't realize that I— if someone had told me, okay, you're going to be an author, you write a book, you're going to do like— you're gonna have successful program, I would have been I would have laughed at them. So I didn't see all the steps, but I just started. So when I started, of course, inside, I did have this vision that, you know, wow, this could be successful. This could resonate with women. So there was the hope, the seed, but I didn't know what it would look like, but I just jumped in. I was like, hey, I can start a podcast. Let me do that. Let me just put my information out there. It wasn't perfect. Um, I just like, I, if I, something that I've shared with a lot of podcasters, um, who, who've interviewed me. Especially when they're like, wow, your podcast is really successful. You've been doing it for a long time. I'll say that when I first started, I didn't know what I was doing. I used to like try to record the whole thing and like put the music on at the same time. And like, you know, I made all kinds of mistakes, but it doesn't matter.

Gresham Harkless 12:41
Just jump in. Exactly. I appreciate that. So, and now I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quote unquote CEOs on this show. So Lisa, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 12:55
Um, what does the CEO mean to me? I guess it just means following your vision and seeing it through, whatever that is.

Gresham Harkless 13:05
Absolutely. I think that makes perfect sense. And I think along the lines of what we were talking to, where you kind of have to listen to yourself as far as your health and making sure that you are taking care of yourself in the same way. When you do have that vision and that goal and that aspiration for what you want in your life, it's important to kind to tap into that and then pay attention to that. And I listen to all the external voices that say this or that and kind of continue on with what you want.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 13:24
Well, now of course I want to add something to that, but, um, but I think what I've learned along the way too is that, uh, you have to think about not just whatever aspect. So maybe for one person it's success and notoriety. Maybe for another person it's money. Maybe for like, who knows, however it looks for everybody. Uh, but when you, I think it's really important to have that vision of what you want for the future. And, you know, for me currently, Um, you know, it's, it's not just about the business. It's about my life, my family, um, being there for my kids, having a, you know, wonderful relationship with my husband as well as having a successful business. But what does that mean to me? It means helping as many women as possible, spreading the word and being really aligned with that vision of, um, spreading the information that women need to know. Like I, we could talk about that. Let's get to a separate podcast, but whatever your vision is. Um, I feel like it shouldn't just be one thing. It should include your life, your family, your health, all of those things so that when you get to wherever you are, um, you just like, what is it good to like get to the place that you're successful and you have money and your health is out the window and your relationship is gone and, you know, your kids don't remember what you look like. Like, is that, is that, is that what you want?

Gresham Harkless 14:35
So I think it's really important to have a complete vision. Yeah, absolutely. It's kind of like that holistic approach to not just your health, but well, I guess your health, but your overall health, whether that be career, spiritually, uh, relationships, uh, all all those things, financially, all those things are important and it's kind of hard to take one without the other. But, you know, it's everybody's vision, so you get to decide what you want to do with your life. So that's the important part. So Lisa, I truly appreciate your time and I appreciate all the awesome things you're doing. What I wanted to do was pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know. And then of course, how best they can get ahold of you, download your podcast, and of course get a copy of your book.

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack 15:10
Well, thank you for that. I feel like we covered a lot of it. I really appreciate having the opportunity to talk about the business side because it's really not something that I talked about and any of like my followers who find this episode, they'll be like, oh, I never hear Lisa talk about this stuff because it's really different to the world that I'm in. As I joked with you initially, I'm usually talking about vaginas and vagina-related topics. But yes, so if anyone's interested in the topic of fertility, and I know a lot of people are, of course, even people you wouldn't necessarily think are really interested in it because of course it's such a personal topic. If you are into podcasts, just type Fertility Friday in your favorite podcast player and you'll find me. Um, the book, of course, I happen to have it here, it's not coincidence at all, is The Fifth Vital Sign. And so that's available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. And yeah, I've got lots of goodies. I've got some freebies, so fertilityfriday.com/freebies. So if you've got some listeners that are like, wow, this fertility awareness stuff sounds pretty cool, I've got like a free video series and you can get the first chapter of the book for free, etc., etc., on that page.

Gresham Harkless 16:06
Awesome, awesome, awesome. We'll make sure to have those links and that information in the show notes. So just in case somebody is listening to this, they're expecting to hear about fertility or vaginas, you can go down into the show notes and you can click over to actually listen to the podcast to learn a little bit more about that. But again, we'll have all those links in the show notes, but appreciate your time. Appreciate all the awesome things you're doing and, uh, following your gift and your passion and reminding us to do the same.

Gresham Harkless 16:26
And I hope you have a great rest of the day.