Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Duncan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Though trained in purely allopathic pharmaceutical-based medicine, I always felt like there was a more holistic approach that didn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. I knew many medicines had their place and saved lives, but so many of the common medicines used in family medicine and acute care were overboard or premature. Little did I know there was a whole other world of practitioners who practice what is called Functional Medicine and are trained in intervening earlier with a broad range of therapies from nutrition, movement, nutraceuticals (supplements), homeopathy, and energy medicine. The focus is on restoring homeostatic balance to the body and getting to the root cause of why it is in dis-ease. It highly values the beauty that is our immune systems and seeks to support the body versus forcing or blocking pathways with medications. Medications are used but very sparingly and only if they are also improving on restoring normal function to the body.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Because insurance companies don’t cover many of the specialty labs we recommend, it is challenging to make Functional Medicine as affordable as possible. I was narrowly focused and had no idea how many challenges outside of practicing medicine would be involved in starting a business. Thankfully, God has blessed me with a wonderful bride who has been a tremendous factor in the business moving into a sustainable state within about 2 yrs. of opening the doors.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Stewarding Life Wellness – what should we know?
We practice Functional Medicine. By definition, we are always seeking to find out why dysfunction is occurring in the body and address it. If it is a hidden infection intestinally, we eradicate it. If it is a detox issue we support the detox pathways. If it is nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances we replenish and rebalance. Most of the time it is a combination of many of these things leading to a host of symptoms and diagnosis: depression, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, autoimmune diseases, and the list goes on forever.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife, Lillie, is the visionary of Stewarding Life Wellness. Without her, I would have never ventured down this path. She has a gift of seeing the potential and knowing something will thrive. She is a phenomenal photographer and writer as well as an amazing mother to our 2 kids, Rosalie and Elias. I have no idea how she does everything that she does. I praise God for her daily. My mentor in Functional Medicine was Dan Kalish who really taught a streamlined approach to a very difficult field to master. I am grateful for the foundation he provided. Kim, our newest practitioner to join the team has also already started to reshape the practice into something more beautiful than we ever could have imagined. Sammi, our front office coordinator, and nutritionist helped with the daily grind of troubleshooting everything when we had no idea what we were doing. And most of all we thank God, who created us and the ability to even heal when we get sick. It is a passion to steward the life he has given us well while we are here that fuels everything we do. How we take care of our body, mind, and soul are the areas of stewardship we focus on at SLW. My father, Douglas Duncan, believed in our dream and stood behind the business from the beginning as my partner and supervising physician. He has given me a great picture of my heavenly Father who desires to give good gifts to His children.
Contact Info:
- Address: 118 W. Olive St.
Keller Tx 76248 - Website: www.stewardinglifewellness.com
- Phone: 682-593-7223
- Email: brittany@stewardinglifewellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardinglifewellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardinglifewellness/
Image Credit:
Redeeming Love Photography
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