We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The process was kind of all over the place – such is life. But I will do my best to share it in an organized fashion.
In nursing school, I was lucky enough to go on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua where I had the honor of assisting a local nurse and doctor with three back to back deliveries. One metal birthing table and one post-delivery bed. Just lil ole me, with my pocket-sized Spanish dictionary, only able to understand bits of Spanish here and there… but with the patient guidance of the nurse, I somehow was still able to understand what needed to be done. I was hooked. I knew birth work was in my future!
As a nurse for 6+ years, I have gained invaluable knowledge that I am so grateful for. Since nursing school I knew I wanted to be a birth worker of some sort. But it wasn’t until I had the privilege of working with a doula on the labor and delivery unit in 2017 when I realized that I wanted to use my nursing background to further help individuals more holistically as a birth and postpartum doula. Seeing women support other women was beautiful, but witnessing their natural, whole-person approach was life-changing. And thus I began to research and learn how I could serve the birthing community in a similar way.
Fast forward to 2022 – I was working as a labor and delivery + postpartum nurse and officially began my doula passion with DONA International doula training in Colorado. However, life had a different plan for me. At 29 years old, I was diagnosed with Long-haul Covid, POTS, Pericarditis, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), and was ordered to stop working, apply for disability, and prioritize rest and healing by my cardiologist. During this downtime I was faced with the reality of not being able to continue my career as a doula or nurse, and no income. One night while meditating, praying (and sobbing), a sense of calm washed over me. I realized that I was in control of my reaction to the situation I was in and that I could still be of service in the birthing community one way or another someday. I reached out to a doula friend who offered to let me borrow her camera until I could afford my own and the rest is history!
I started doing one birth or newborn photography session a month to gain experience and manage my symptoms (I was able to manage symptoms better by doing photography than hands-on doula support or nursing). It didn’t even feel like work because I enjoyed it so much! Documenting the sacred bond between families and their babe through birth and postpartum was a dream. It was my goal to capture women’s raw power and beauty so they could look back and see just how amazing and capable they are.
Then, the photography sessions started causing flare-ups (worsening of symptoms to the point of not being able to shower, walk up stairs, cook, walk my dog, etc.). So, I had to take a step back and re-prioritize my life again. I had to focus on healing first before I could serve others. This lead me to offering partner support classes to doula clients since I was unable to attend births or do much else at that time. But that eventually lead to more flare-ups. So, I began slowly creating courses that I could easily distribute online without meeting in-person since everything else ended up in flare-ups. And that is how my website and online courses came about.
Thankfully, I am continually healing and getting stronger, so I am excited to begin taking in-person clients again soon while also working on more online courses and offering wellness tools and techniques to help others within and beyond the birthing community.
During all this, I focused on healing my mind/body/soul – inside out. I learned about breathwork, yoga therapy, energy healing, sound healing, nature bathing, hot springs, cold plunges, cycle syncing, anti-inflammatory foods, supplements, acupuncture, wellness routines and much more.
Everything along my journey has led me to where I am today; more excited about what I am doing than I have ever been! This is my life’s calling and I am ecstatic to have the privilege and honor to support and hold space for beautiful souls. It has been quite the journey, but I am grateful for everything I have learned and continue to learn throughout it all.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Opening up about my work and career feels foreign to me. I used to work as a nurse. I am thankful for all that I learned during that chapter of my life, and all the beautiful people I met and cared for. Until my body couldn’t keep up anymore and I had to shift into a new reality. Now, as a doula and wellness advocate, I don’t really think of it as work or a career. I am simply living life – and when my body allows me to – I am able to share some of my journey with others. And someday, I will be able to do more and serve more. It feels much deeper than work and a career – it is my passion, my calling, my purpose. And I would love to share more about that!
I am a lover of life, nature and animals. My passion is to hold space for all humans as they connect with nature, their mind/body/spirit, and find their rhythm through the beautiful journey of birth, life, and death. We cannot define birth, life, nor death for anyone other than ourselves, but we can support others through the transitions.
I believe all living things are sacred and should be treated as such. And with love, compassion, and community we can change the world – one day at a time, one breath at a time. It all begins with birth and cultivating support for the family unit.
My passions have evolved over the years as I continue to learn and grow, but they have always revolved around nature, animals, and helping others – specifically in the birthing community.
Although my road to working as a doula has had quite the detour, I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to slow down, heal, and explore photography and wellness practices. It has been an honor to document such precious memories for families, and is an art and skill I plan to carry over into my doula practice. Along with supporting women and their partners – helping them turn towards each other during labor and birth – I want to capture the raw beauty of women in their element, to show them just how strong, powerful, and capable they are. And to show the world how sacred, natural and phenomenal birth is.
There have been many challenges, ups and downs, ebbs and flows. But through it all I have learned how to pause, and ride the waves. To take things in stride – one day at a time. Until my friend Josh (a breathwork facilitator) mentioned to me that I should slow it down even more to one breath at a time. Wow. That hit home for me because I never knew when I would have a flare-up; sometimes I would wake up in a flare-up, sometimes I could go for a walk and be fine, other times flare-ups were brought on by eating, showering, driving, walking, laughing, or talking. So really, all I could do was one breath at a time. And when you stop to think about it, that is all any of us can do. But we get so caught up in the rat race of life – have to catch up, have to stay ahead – that we forget to truly breathe. We can last weeks without food, days without water, but only minutes without breathing. You take your first breath as you are birthed into this world, and your last breath as you depart from it. Breath is sacred. Breath is healing. Breath is everything. Breathwork has changed my life and helped me tremendously along my healing journey. And that is one of the reasons why I love working with the breath. Especially with mothers as they are in labor. And with others as we sit in nature, or sit in a breathwork/movement session. It is such a powerful tool. But we often forget about it.
My healing journey has been beautiful, awful, inspiring, frustrating, and transformative. It has changed me forever. But in a way that will allow me to share what I have learned with others. It is always darkest before dawn, and I am beginning to see the light. If I can help one person see the beauty in slowing down and breathing deeply, if I can help one couple pause and turn towards each other, if I can help one person see the sacredness of birth, life and death, if I can help one person breathe peace into their journey – then all of this will have been worth it.
They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. But we never really talk about how that happens. In my experience; first, it tears us down completely, it breaks every bit of who we thought we were and leaves us in a dark, cold, lonely cocoon of goop. It is at that moment, in the darkness, that we have a choice to make – do we sit there (I did for a little bit, and that is okay!), or do we climb back out, building strength and courage with each step as we recreate who we are and figure out how we want to proceed. The choice is ours, all we have to do is take that first step forward. A caterpillar doesn’t change into a butterfly overnight. It doesn’t emerge from the cocoon right away. It has to work through that goop, and so do we. If we are brave enough, and have the right tools and support, then we too can emerge from the cocoon, from the goop, into a new version of ourselves, a stronger version of ourselves. But we have to do the work to get to the other side. Whether in birth, life, or death – it is all about transitions. And I am here to help others through those transitions, because we were never meant to go at it alone. We are all on our own journey – each of us requiring a uniquely personalized approach to wellbeing as we learn, grow, blossom, and flow. I am honored to serve by offering individualized breathwork, birth support, and wellness tools to help each person reach their goals. It is more than work or a career, it is my life, it is my passion.
I offer birth + postpartum doula support, in-person or virtual partner support sessions and wellness sessions, birth + newborn photography, breathwork, and nature bathing. As well as downloadable online courses: labor + birth course, partner support course, cycle syncing, and more to come.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Canon City and I am in love with this area. But how I want to reply to this answer is different now than how I would have answered a few years ago. When I was at my peak stamina/health/energy levels – I would have said something along the lines of – I would take them white water rafting with Royal Gorge Rafting (RGR), rock climbing, skydiving, hiking all over Colorado, camping, backpacking, via feratta’ing, ATV’ing – all the high adrenaline, adventurous things. I actually have an IG and YouTube called Ren’s Adventure that was originally dedicated to showing others that it is okay to go adventuring even if you aren’t good at it. Life is an adventure meant to be explored – no matter what skills you possess. Everything can be an adventure, it’s up to you to make it one. That was one of the things I was super excited about continuing when I moved to Colorado – showcasing all the adventurous things you can do – even if you aren’t good at them, you can still have fun doing it! And perhaps, in a way, I still share that aspect of it on my Ren’s Adventure page and I have carried it over into my healing journey and growing my business – because it is all part of the adventure.
And now, as I am in the midst of my healing journey and needing to take things a tad slower, my answer is quite contrasted. I would suggest waking up with the sun, drinking hot tea or lemon water, eating fresh palisade peaches or whatever else we can find at the farmers market, grabbing a coffee from Cafe Belay, checking out the Apothecary and their local honey, oils, and herbs, taking a leisurely stroll along the river or sitting amongst the desert and sage – admiring the beautiful nature all around us, taking in the sounds of bird songs floating in the breeze, perhaps I would offer a nature bath experience or a breathwork and movement sesh whilst outside in the sun, taking the Royal Gorge train and admiring the phenomenal views, casually driving up hwy 50 to Salida, eating at Amicas Pizza and checking out Vital Living Herbs and Nutrition for some tea and wellness goodies, indulging in some ice cream from Chill Salida Ice Cream, enjoying a sound bath at the Mandala Collective, soaking in the hot springs, star gazing out in the middle of nowhere, being present in the moment for all of it. Not worried about jumping to the next thing, just simply enjoying their company and all this area has to offer.
It is amazing how a diagnosis or circumstance can change everything, including perspective and lifestyle. And for me, I know it has changed for the better. I have been gifted a new outlook on life. Slow living, being present, and enjoying all the beautiful simplicities of life one day at a time, one breath at a time.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh my, where do I begin?! I originally wanted to share a long list of people. But I feel like I should keep that private. So, what I will say is that I have been immensely blessed with beautiful friends and soul family who have encouraged me and supported me through some of my most challenging moments in my life. I don’t know what I would have done without their love and support. They know who they are – and I truly hope they know how deeply grateful I am for their presence in my life.
That being said, I would like to recognize a few individuals. The first, my dear friend and mentor Sharon Russell who passed away from cancer last December. She is the one who asked me, “What are you doing for you? What are you doing that makes YOU happy?” (knowing I wanted to serve the birthing community as a doula, but was scared to take the leap). What a perspective shift. I am also thankful for her husband, Malcolm who has stepped in and offered to chat any time – paraphrasing – “I may not have the same wise words to offer as my wife did, but I am here if you ever need to chat.” I am so very lucky to have met them, along with the rest of the “Lincoln Family” as they are called. Thank you for welcoming me into your family during my college years and beyond. You are beautiful, beautiful people and I am so grateful to know you.
So thankful for my best friend and soul sister Sarah. She has been a cornerstone and major cheerleader in my life – one who (along with Sharon) helped me find myself again, helped me find my light again, so I could recreate myself into who I was always meant to be. We were travel nursing together in Denver when I got Covid for the third time and had to resign due to my condition. She stuck it out and continued travel nursing, solo, for a year even though that was not the plan we had in mind. She is so brave and courageous for doing that and I admire her immensely. We may be separated by distance, but never in heart or spirit. She will forever be my soul sister and I am lucky to have her in my life. She also helped start a GoFundMe to help me pay medical bills, and get by until my disability claim was approved (still pending almost a year later, but I am confident it will go through) and until I built up stamina and could work again to make a livable income. I don’t know where I would be without her love and support.
Another shout out to my dear friend Marcy (@vibrance_retreats and @acesoyoga on IG) who I met through Aceso Total Healthcare in Lincoln Nebraska. My doctor at the time suggested I try yoga therapy, I was reluctant at first, but eventually gave it a try. What a life changing experience! Marcy’s healing presence and therapeutic techniques opened up a whole new world of wellness for me and I thank her and Dr. Roberts for helping me onto the path of holistic healing and wellness. Truly transformational.
A huge thanks to my healthcare team up at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida for taking such great care of me, and taking my situation seriously. I experienced poor medical care in the past (before I sought care from Dr. Roberts). So I am thankful to have found providers who take the time to listen and want to help heal my whole body from the inside out rather than push pills that only mask the symptoms.
Many thanks to my doula friend, Courtney (Zippity Doula in Salida, CO) who has been so gracious in letting me borrow her camera until I can afford my own. Her kind gesture has helped me get my business started and given me the ability to make some money to live off of, and someday thrive off of. It is because of her that I have the ability to do what I can with what I have in the present moment, and someday be able to do more as I gain strength and am able to serve others again.
I feel so much gratitude for Josh, his friendship, advice, holding space, and breathwork (@Shuaborn716 on IG). And for meeting my new friends Mary Jane and Shiva and the space they have cultivated. They own the Mandala Collective in Salida. A space for yoga, meditation, massage, energy work, breathwork, wellness retreats, sound healing and more. And for another beautiful new friend, Brooke who is a holistic health coach (@BrookeFinkbeiner on IG) – she has helped me in more ways than one. Especially for walking my dog, Jerry when I was unable to and all the soulfull chats. They all have helped me transform my perspective about my condition into a healing journey, into something I know I will heal from and overcome. This is not the end, this is only the beginning.
I would also like to thank the Something Else Sabbath School class at the College View Seventh-Day Adventist church in Lincoln, Nebraska for their donation, and all the donors – anonymous, friends, soul family, and others near and far. Too many names to mention – but I hope they know just how truly thankful I am. I have been humbled and cried many tears because I used to feel so unworthy of this outpouring of love and support. I am eternally grateful to everyone who has supported me mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially along my healing journey
So much love and thanks to Zachary who has supported me more than I used to feel I deserved. He has held space for me as I learn and grow in every way. He has been my shoulder to lean on and cry on, and shown me what true love, support, patience, kindness, generosity, selflessness, compassion and grace is. Zachary and his family have been such a blessing in my life. They have made me feel at home and welcomed even when I am flaring up and not super fun to be around. They have taught me that it is okay to not be okay – that I am loved and supported no matter what. I will be forever thankful for him and his love. Words truly do not do justice trying to explain the depth of my love and gratitude.
I am thankful for my family’s love and support and all the people, experiences, and events in my life that have lead me to where I am today. I had my own plan, but it wasn’t until my body was forced to slow down that I finally learned how to surrender to the divine plan, God’s plan and heal mind/body/soul. Through this journey I have learned that it’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay to rest. And all this outpouring of love and support has shown me that I am worthy, even when I don’t feel well and can’t do much. I have learned that my worth is not based on how productive I am or how much money I make. I am worthy by just being me. We all are. The sooner our society realizes this too, the sooner everyone can take off their masks, and be real with one another. We shouldn’t fake it till we make it. We shouldn’t keep up with the rat race of life. We shouldn’t keep pushing ourselves until our bodies force us to stop. We have to open up, be vulnerable, be honest, ask for what we need, build a support system, be a support system, rest and heal mind/body/soul, and be willing to do the work to get to the other side. No one is perfect, no one has it all together, and no one should have to ride the waves of their journey alone.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. Be love. Be love everywhere you go. Be love to everyone you meet, including yourself and watch the world change in front of your eyes.
Website: https://www.sacredbreathwellness.net/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sacredbreathwellness?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== (@sacredbreathwellness)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093324034210&mibextid=LQQJ4d (Sacred Breath Wellness)
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rens.adventure?si=HNFBBJupA96jOq86 (Ren’s Adventure)
Here is the GoFundMe that my friend helped create. It shares a little more of my healing journey backstory: https://www.
Image Credits
Lauren Young