Today we’d like to introduce you to Varian Hans.
Hi Varian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We all have experiences that define who we are and like most mothers, the birth of my son shook me to my core. My son’s birth in 2016 was not a glorious experience but unfortunately, it was a traumatic experience. I likely would not have survived if I had not advocated for my well-being and had a support system around me.
As a new mom, I found myself struggling with PTSD, nutrient depletion, and sleep deprivation. I had been a nutritionist for few years and knew the importance of a balanced diet. At six months postpartum, I decided to really focus on supporting my health with food as if my mental and physical recovery truly depended on it. I incorporated ancestral foods that are traditionally given to new mothers, listened to the cues my body was giving me, and learned that the kitchen can offer solace and a place of healing.
I completed my Nutritional Therapy certification when my son was just eleven months old and started supporting mothers nutritionally after childbirth. I learned that there are certain nutrient deficiencies that can contribute to postpartum depression or anxiety and worsen “mom brain”, feelings of overwhelm, and hormone imbalances. These deficiencies often worsen when mothers have multiple children or breastfeed without the support of a nutrient-dense diet and lifestyle habits.
Now as a Nutritional Therapist, I coach mothers of all ages because finding support is not limited to mothers of newborns. I help them find an individualized way of eating and teach them how to support their well-being with food on tight budgets or schedules. I have never recommended the same diet twice and prioritize the needs of the mother sitting in front of me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As a business owner and a mother, one of my biggest challenges has been maintaining some sort of balance, especially in 2020. My son was home full time, I was working on my business during the day and as an office manager part-time. Thankfully having a passion to support and lift other mothers made the juggle all worthwhile.
I have learned that supporting my family and my clients requires me to walk the walk. I work on my health and lifestyle habits as much as I tell my clients to. Supporting your well-being is a lifelong process and can be a process that requires you to grow and go with the waves life throws.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I help mothers create energy, find joy, and support their health with a nutrient-dense diet after childbirth. Many mothers find themselves exhausted, dependant on sugar or coffee to function, forgetful, and struggling with losing the baby weight after birth. These symptoms can extend up to ten years after childbirth and leave mothers wondering if what they’re experiencing is normal.
There is often a decent amount of discussion about the importance of nutrition during pregnancy with the mother’s provider but the support often disappears after the baby is born. The window after birth is an important time in a mother’s life as calories and nutrient-dense foods are just as important than they were during pregnancy. For example, during lactation, the baby needs a tremendous amount of essential fatty acids to support its growth. So, the body will take its stores of DHA, an essential fatty acid, and share them with the new baby via breastmilk. If the mother is not consuming quality fatty fish to replenish what is lost, this may leave the mother in a state of fatty acid deficiency. Considering a third of the brain by dry weight is made up of DHA it’s plausible to consider that a fatty acid deficiency can worsen forgetfulness and a foggy mind.
My goal is to help fill in the gaps of healthcare and support mothers when providers often do not have the time or bandwidth to discuss the importance of nutrition after childbirth. I work with mothers and spend a significant amount of time coaching them according to their specific needs and goals. My coaching style is empathetic and focuses on making the mother feel heard, supported, informed, and empowered.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I come from a line of entrepreneurs, my grandfather has owned his own jewelry store for over forty-five years. As a child, I saw him on a regular basis and often helped him and as I grew older, I started to learn small parts of the trade.” By the time I was seven years old, I wrote a diary entry titled “7 reasons why I want to own a business.” That confidence and desire to work independently was woven into my character so when the time came for me to branch out and start my own coaching business, it felt like a natural extension.
Ultimately, my clients are how I define my success. When women share with me, they have newfound energy, a better understanding of their body’s needs, and for the first time they don’t feel alone, I know that my work is needed. Mothers deserve to be supported and creating change in one mother at a time is how we support everyone. Mothers are the foundation of the family and are beautiful vessels of love. When she is taken care of, love ripples into the world.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@varianhans.com
- Website: https://varianhans.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/varianhans.co/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/varianhans.co
Image Credits
Anna Kraft
