Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Smith.
Hi Heather, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been married to my husband for 32 years and we have 4 amazing young adult and teenage children. We have called Beaufort, SC, home since 1998.
I studied Nutrition & Food Management in college and after graduating with my B.S. in 1997, went on to do an internship and then took the comprehensive exam to become a registered dietitian. I spent the first few years of my career in the hospital setting, and then took 11 years off to raise our children.
I went back to work part time in 2012 and since then have worked in long-term care, food safety, and dialysis. In 2021, I started my private practice, where I focus my energy today and plan to for many years to come.
As a a registered dietitian and board-certified kidney nutrition specialist. I help people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) manage their condition and slow progression through high-level support.
Several events led to my transition from conventional dietitian in the dialysis world to my entrepreneurial journey as a private practice owner.
2020 was a turning point for me. That year I became acutely aware that we have a sick care system, not a health care system, in this country. While I appreciate the availability of conventional medicine and still believe it has its place, I do not believe it is set up to help people be well. I had been working in dialysis since 2016 and was very much a part of that sick care system.
During my time in dialysis, I began taking advanced courses on nutrition and kidney disease and became familiar with the many opportunities to preserve kidney function in earlier stages of chronic kidney disease. I earned my board certification as a specialist in renal nutrition in 2019 and became passionate about helping people prevent the need for dialysis through diet and lifestyle change. Dialysis is an amazing, life-saving procedure, but at the same time, it is life-taking. It robs people of their personal freedom. And as someone who believes strongly in personal freedom, I wanted to help people maintain their independence, not play a role in taking it away from them. It grieved me that hardly any of my dialysis patients had had any meaningful nutrition education prior to going on dialysis. This was a pattern that I wanted to change.
In addition to my passion to educate people in earlier stages of CKD, I also began my own personal health journey around the same time. Motivated by my desire to stay out of that sick care system myself, I changed my eating habits and lost a much-needed 40 pounds. Becoming a healthier version of myself has had such an impact on my ability to help others become healthier versions of themselves.
In 2021 I rented a small office from a local doctor and set up my private practice. I began seeing people with CKD but soon had people calling about other services as well. Until the beginning of this year, I was still seeing people for various reasons while trying to focus on helping people with CKD. But this year I rebranded my business to Kidney Health Clarity, and that’s all I do now.
I take a whole-food, plant-forward approach to nutrition, focusing on real, unprocessed foods that can nourish the body and protect kidney function. The standard American diet contributes to kidney function decline in people with CKD with its high sodium, phosphorus, and protein content, among other things. I use a multi-pronged approach to help my clients step away from the standard American diet and make healthier choices that can positively impact their kidney and overall health.
I felt called by God to become a dietitian way back in college, but I didn’t know why. Every time I have a conversation with a new client who has been praying for someone to help them with their CKD, I know why. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with so many amazing clients who want to take control of their kidney health and just need someone to guide them in it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I love what I do, but there have been a few challenges.
The ever-changing world of technology is one of them. I have had to learn to do so many techy things that I never dreamed of. It’s been fun, but also frustrating at times.
One of the biggest challenges has been having my FaceBook business page stolen at the end of last year. I depended upon FaceBook for advertising and can no longer use it due to my inability to regain ownership of my account.
Another challenge is the lack of consistent monthly income. Sometimes I think it would be nice to get a regular paycheck.. Not having a predictable income can be a little difficult at times, but so worth it to do what I love. It’s the plight of every small business owner.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kidney Health Clarity offers personalized support for every stage of kidney care, from protecting kidney function to stopping recurring stones.
Whether clients want intensive one-on-one coaching or a flexible learning path, our services help them understand their kidney health needs and take the right steps. They get the level of support that matches their goals, preferences, and stage of CKD.
The best way to prevent kidney function decline is through the Kidney Health Clarity VIP Program, which is an intensive 12 weeks of high level support. It’s based on a personalized kidney health strategy developed just for you (Knowing exactly what moves the needle for your kidneys); simple, kidney-safe nutrition you can stick with (Turning strategy into everyday action); and Expert Guidance & Ongoing Support.
We also help people prevent recurring kidney stones. They aren’t random—they have a cause, and once it’s uncovered, they can be prevented. This service combines a detailed assessment, urine test support, and personalized recommendations to reduce future episodes. For those wanting a deeper educational approach, a course option includes a one-on-one appointment to review results.
What are your plans for the future?
I do have big future plans but am not revealing them just yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kidneyhealthclarity.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidneyhealthclarity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidneyhealthclarity
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-smith-1a805467/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kidneyhealthclarity
