From Exhausted to Energized: Christy’s HELPcare Transformation
Through my work in helping to start HELPcare Clinic, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some remarkable stories of transformation. Few have touched me as personally as the conversation Dan Hinmon and I had recently with Christy Haag for this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare.
I’ve known Christy for a few years through her work at a senior living facility where my parents lived (and where Mom still does!) She brightened my dad’s final days, and I’ve always admired the joy and compassion she brings to those around her. When I learned about her own health journey with HELPcare Clinic, I knew others needed to hear it too.
Christy’s story began with frustration. For over 20 years, she battled Hashimoto’s disease, a thyroid condition that left her exhausted, foggy, and discouraged. Despite countless doctor visits, she never felt heard. “I didn’t even know what good felt like anymore,” she told us. Standard medicine often pointed to “normal” lab results as proof that nothing was wrong, but Christy knew better.
That changed when she joined HELPcare Clinic. From her very first visit, she felt something different: time, connection, and genuine listening. Her practitioner, Elizabeth Hedlund, not only explained how the thyroid works but also helped Christy tune into her body’s signals. Medication adjustments weren’t based solely on lab values—they were shaped by how Christy was actually feeling. For the first time in decades, she trusted her own body again.
But medical care was just the beginning. Christy also met with Jane Connell, our health coach, who helped her identify her “why.” With a family history of diabetes and her own A1c numbers creeping upward, Christy wanted to be healthy for her six kids and two grandchildren. That motivation fueled her commitment to applying what she learned from Jane. She learned not just what to eat, but how to make good choices in real-life situations—even on a cruise buffet line.
The results have been remarkable. Christy has lost 38 pounds and gained a whole new level of energy. She discovered a love for weightlifting and enjoys workouts that once felt impossible. Her husband was so inspired that he joined her, shedding 45 pounds himself. Together, they’ve embraced a new way of living that feels sustainable for the long haul.
What struck me most was Christy’s description of the calmness she feels. By reducing sugar and processed carbs, not only did her energy improve, but her mood did too. “I felt less anxious, more calm,” she explained. That was an unexpected gift of the lifestyle changes.
As we talked, it was clear that the heart of Christy’s success lay in relationships: with her practitioner, her coach, and her family. She had guidance, but she was always in the driver’s seat. That’s exactly what we mean when we say our patients are the heroes of the story—we’re just the guides.
If you’re feeling stuck in your health, Christy’s journey is living proof that with the right support, transformation is possible. At HELPcare, we’ll listen, we’ll guide—but you’ll be the one taking charge.
Watch the episode or listen here:
Be sure to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or watch the video edition by subscribing to the HELPcare YouTube channel.
If you know a family medicine practitioner — a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant — who would be a good fit for HELPcare Clinic, or a specialist interested in exploring direct specialty care, pass along this link to our HELPcare Careers page.
If you're an employer responsible for selecting and paying for employee health plans - check out how we've worked with like-minded partners to develop Health Insurance with HELPcare plans built on the foundation of HELPcare Clinic membership, such as the one Mower County has implemented.
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