Meet Whitney Henson | CD(DONA) Birth Doula, Reiki Master, and Sound Bath Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Whitney Henson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Whitney, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is something that holds many people back from moving forward to perusing their dreams. When there are children involved, unknown for financial stability, the constant “what if” that runs through our minds day and night, it can deter anyone from making the jump and taking the risk to fulfilling their life purpose.

I was diagnosed for the second time with cancer at the age of 32 during the start of COVID. I had a 9-month-old daughter at home, as well as a 5-year-old son. Daycare shut down, we were all sent to work from home, with no childcare, trying to navigate total chaos. All of these things plus cancer. The majority of my coworkers and management where I was working were overwhelmingly supportive and understanding of my situation and gave me much grace. But in particular there was an individual that was not at the same pace as everyone else, that only added tremendously to my stresses, my worries, the huge heavy load on my back, driving me down further and further. I realized, I had to make a change, I had to get away from that toxicity, I tossed it back and forth day after day. I was making a good wage, I had great insurance which was essential as someone with cancer, but I was sick to my stomach every day with worry and anxiety around work.

The risk of leaving to peruse my own individual career path as a birth doula full time, was huge because there was no guarantee of money, I now had to purchase my own health insurance for me and the kids, and I had no idea how to run a business alone. I quickly realized those things didn’t matter as much as my life did. Those “things” would never be more important than my children had me in their lives as they grow up. I knew, if I didn’t make this change that I was not going to get better, and I probably wouldn’t be here today to write to you all about it. This was as great a risk as my decision to decline chemotherapy and radiation which is a whole other story on its own.

One by one I started to unravel each strand of the life I knew. It started with a complete diet change, removing toxic people, toxic behaviors and toxic environmental factors from my life. It was finding ways on my own to manage my stress. It was leaving the secure, yet unfulfilling job that in fact paid the bills, but added to my dis-ease in life. I made the decision to take the risk, put in my notice, and start being a birth worker full time. I do not regret any of it. Cancer was a curse and a blessing in my life. It pushed me to take risks. It truly was the kick in the butt that I needed to finally make the jump and just DO IT.

I am so happy being my own boss, making my own schedule and deciding on my workload. I am no longer missing out on firsts with my children, and no longer have to request time off to be able to go to the doctor, or stay home when I am sick. I can focus on me.

My small business is growing day after day and when I look back at what I have accomplished in the past few years by taking ONE risk, I am blown away. Living a comfortable, predictable life is fine, but you will never have any idea what you can truly achieve, what you are truly capable of until you take that risk.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I think I touched on a lot of this in my last answer to the previous question. Starting out your own business isn’t easy. The saying “you have to spend money to make money” is one thousand percent true. You have to take it day by day, and you can not allow setbacks to stop you. I have learned that you can not stress out over things that are beyond your control, and you have to trust that things will work out the way they are meant to work out. I have a space inside of a clinic with an amazing Chiropractor in Johnstown Colorado who was one of my doula clients. We focus on the physical and even mental health of pregnant and new mommas.

I offer Reiki Energy healing as well as sound bath therapy using large crystal singing bowls. We also offer some natural and non-toxic products that are safe for expectant mommas.

As a doula I have an ability to make people feel safe with me, to be able to be vulnerable and open up. I am easy to approach, and people feel like they can ask me even the most embarrassing of questions and not be met with judgment.
I advocate for my mommas, and I create bonds and friendships with them. I am more of what you would call “crunchy” and I love all things natural, but I will help any momma have their baby where and however they want. It is my job as a doula to protect medical freedom, and to protect my mommas. I want my mommas to have the birth THEY want, not the birth their doctor, or other moms on social media is telling them they should have. This journey is theirs and theirs alone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I actually had a momma friend that I met when I was pregnant with my daughter in a Facebook group come visit me this past summer. It was the first time we ever met in person but it felt like we had known each other our entire lives. I, of course, took her and toured her around some of the good local breweries here in Northern Colorado. We went and saw Nelly perform live in Fort Collins Colorado, and enjoyed the nightlife in Old Town.

We spent a day in Estes Park which was probably the best part of the entire trip. We went inside the Stanley hotel, she tried Rocky Mountain Oysters (bull testicles) for the first time. We shopped the neat shops in town, and then drove all the way up to the tundra area of the mountains in the Rocky Mountain Park. think Estes Parks is one of the must-see areas in Colorado.
If we had more time, I would have also taken her to Manitou Springs, Cave of the Winds and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. I love being outdoors, hiking, looking for crystals in the rivers, so any time outdoors where we can explore I am all over.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my husband for supporting me in this endeavor and allowing me to spend money to make money, and dealing with my ups and downs. To my birth clients that have trusted me and have become great friends along the way making all of this totally possible and allowing me to be part of your special journey into parenthood.

Shoutout to my mom, for helping to keep me on track and being part of that force that gave me the kick in the rump.

Website: WeeSpiritsDoula.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whbirthandbody

Other: TikTok @weespiritsdoula

Image Credits
Jess Poehler with J+H Photography-Northern Colorado