Shaping Hormonal Health through Donna White’s BHRT Training

Donna White is the founder of BHRT Training Academy, an online training program teaching healthcare providers, MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists about the science and application of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Donna’s inspiring entrepreneurship began on her journey dealing with her own nightmarish battle with severe PMS symptoms that led to her spending years on research to find a highly effective solution called bioidentical hormones, which led to her refocusing her determination to bring this solution to others. She shares her experience from being a patient to researcher to entrepreneur developing a training platform that is making a difference for others across the world.

Initial Inspiration

SBS – What was the pivotal moment that transformed your personal health struggles into the inspiration to start the BHRT Training Academy?

Donna – My journey into the BHRT Training Academy was not triggered by a single pivotal moment but rather a culmination of experiences during years of my own healthcare challenges. There were no answers or treatments because no one had a real grasp of what I was going through. As I delved into understanding hormones through reading, learning, and researching, I underwent a profound personal transformation. The more knowledge I gained, the more women sought me out for answers, creating a pattern that seemed beyond coincidence. Recognizing a shared need for information and support, I realized I wasn’t alone in my health struggles. It soon became evident that both women patients and medical practitioners were operating with limited knowledge and were keen to learn all they could about hormones.

Overcoming Challenges

SBS – As a patient turned researcher and entrepreneur, what were some of the most significant challenges you faced in establishing a business?

Donna – One of the challenges I encountered in launching my business, the BHRT Training Academy, was my lack of skills in running my business, mostly in technology and marketing. Prior to this venture, I had no experience owning a business, and the intricacies of entrepreneurship were unfamiliar to me. While creating content and curriculum came naturally, I had a steep learning curve on the operations side. This encompassed everything from marketing and advertising to technology tools, P&L statements, HR processes, and more. Learning the ropes of business operations proved to be the most substantial hurdle for me, but I surrounded myself with the right advisors and built an infrastructure that I have been able to scale.

Knowledge Transition

SBS – How did you translate your personal research and findings into a comprehensive training program for healthcare professionals?

Donna – In the early 90s, my personal research on hormones, hormone imbalances, and women’s health began with an extensive reading of available books. As I delved into the subject, I discovered medical conferences with pioneering experts discussing Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). I used my newfound knowledge and became a patient educator at four medical practices, helping them start the bioidentical hormone replacement programs. This gave me experience working with real women in real medical practices. Compounding Pharmacists also hired me to teach and train medical practices on the topic of hormones and how to prescribe them to their patients. Drawing on years of practical experience and patient interactions, I organized the information from science and research to treatment approaches in a structured manner. I developed manuals and tools filled with content and resources, which are the basis for my solution. My journey involved dedication, collaboration, and the realization that a scalable solution was crucial for reaching and assisting more healthcare providers. This was achievable through our self-paced virtual program.

Audience Engagement

SBS – What strategies did you employ to effectively engage and educate diverse health professionals about bioidentical hormones?

Donna – Engaging potential providers has been a challenge, but once enrollments began, we received glowing testimonials that served as referrals. I am honored and blessed to hear such raving feedback, as it has become a valuable asset to our brand credibility and showcasing the positive experiences of those who went through our program. Proactively, we focus on widespread education by speaking at conferences and creating informational content through blogs and social media. Our goal is to inform people about hormones, their functions, symptoms of imbalances, and how to address them. Education empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and evaluate options for considering hormone-balancing protocols.

Business Model Evolution

SBS – How has your business model evolved from its initial conception to its current state?

Donna – We initially provided core modules on the science of bioidentical hormones. Responding to demand, we expanded to cover men’s hormones, gut health, weight management, and more. We listen to the needs of the practitioners and bring in experts to create additional modules, adapting to ensure the success of our providers.

Global Impact

SBS – In what ways has BHRT Training Academy made a difference to healthcare providers and patients globally?

Donna – The BHRT Training Academy’s global impact is evident as we’ve grown to nearly 1000 providers and now have the accolade of being recognized as an institution of higher education. We certify providers worldwide across North America, Europe, Australia, and beyond. Our core philosophy is that by training providers, we positively impact the lives of men and women globally.

Entrepreneurial Skills

SBS – Which skills do you believe are essential for success in entrepreneurship, especially in the healthcare education sector?

Donna – Our success in healthcare education requires effective communication, adaptability, and understanding of the industry. Active listening to providers, responsiveness, and shifting priorities as needs change are all critical to growth. For us, we define entrepreneurial success by continuing to provide valuable solutions that meet the dynamic needs of practitioners and patients in the healthcare education sector.

Industry Trends

SBS – How do you stay informed and adapt to the rapidly changing trends and advancements in hormone replacement therapy and medical training?

Donna – In our field, staying current is crucial due to the rapid pace of scientific advancements. To achieve this, we consistently monitor newly published research studies and actively participate in conferences, learning from prominent scientists, researchers, clinicians, and thought leaders worldwide.

Balancing Roles

SBS – How do you balance the roles of being both a business owner and an advocate for hormone therapy?

Donna – As the owner of the BHRT Training Academy, building a team is one of the most important things I have done that has led to our success. This is what has enabled us to grow. The team handles business administration, marketing, operations, finances, etc. It definitely takes a team to run this academy, and that’s what’s made it possible for me to advance my own training and be able to speak and teach and help educate medical providers as well as the public about hormones and hormone therapy.

Future Aspirations

SBS – What are your future goals for BHRT Training Academy, and how do you plan to achieve them

Donna – The BHRT Training Academy has a multitude of goals and initiatives for the current year and beyond. Ongoing efforts involve expanding our academy’s training by continually adding more content. We actively support our providers by enhancing their clinical training and extending our focus to include the business aspect of offering BHRT in the medical practice. Our aim is to assist them in operating and building medical practices catering to individuals interested in bioidentical hormones.

In addition to clinical training, we are dedicated to helping providers market their practices and reach out to potential patients. We have implemented programs to offer our providers better pricing on products and services through group or volume discounts, allowing them to retain more revenue and provide competitive pricing to their patients.

Another significant goal is disseminating information to educate providers and the public through various social channels. We are launching a YouTube show and podcast in the current year, targeting providers and patients. These platforms will serve as a means to address the abundance of information and misinformation surrounding hormones. By producing these shows, we aim to clear up confusion and contribute to better understanding.

In 2024, we plan to release an updated version of the book “The Hormone Makeover.” This book is a valuable resource designed to help women understand hormones, associated problems, symptoms, and how to manage PMS and menopause with bioidentical hormones. Alongside the book release, we are committed to serving the public even more and directing them to our certified providers. This approach supports our providers and contributes to community and public education.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

SBS – What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who are motivated by personal experiences?

Donna – If you have a dream, vision, or a calling in your heart that you’re passionate about, consider finding a way to monetize it. The first step, in my opinion, is to invest in training. Seek coaching, join masterminds, or take training courses to learn the necessary skills to accomplish your goals. Gain knowledge from various sources and pinpoint exactly what you want to achieve. Break down your goals into actionable steps and prioritize them based on their importance. For instance, when I started, I focused on learning how to create online training programs, delving into marketing, and understanding the fundamentals of business building and setup. While many experts suggested various activities like starting a blog, a newsletter, or a podcast, it was crucial for me to create a timeline and prioritize tasks. Establishing an order of priority or reverse engineering helped me stay focused and reach my goals efficiently.

The second piece of advice is to surround yourself with people who possess skills you may lack. Running a business doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. Work with key players who bring expertise to areas where you may not excel. While it’s possible to learn various skills, it’s more profitable and fulfilling to concentrate on your strengths. By allowing others to focus on their expertise, you’ll progress faster.

Lastly, be willing to invest in your dream. Paying others for tasks that align with their natural abilities or training is a wise choice. While you can learn to build a website, for example, it might not be the best use of your time. Consider hiring a virtual assistant to handle tasks efficiently, allowing you to concentrate on moving your business forward. Remember, investing time and money in your dream is essential for its success.

Legacy and Impact

SBS – Looking forward, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave through your work with BHRT Training Academy?

Donna – My heartfelt desire is to train medical and healthcare providers worldwide in the best practices of hormone balance using bioidentical hormones, proper testing, supplement protocols, and lifestyle and dietary changes. These aspects are crucial for helping individuals balance hormones and alleviating symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life. Symptoms such as sleep disturbances, mood swings, weight issues, and low energy levels can affect people’s success at work, relationships, and overall enjoyment of life. Educating providers is not just about addressing symptoms but also about preventing diseases associated with aging or health issues linked to hormone imbalance, including bone loss, cognitive decline, and cancer.

Beyond addressing symptoms and promoting long-term health, my goal is to help as many providers as possible learn how to assist their patients. This is how we can make a positive impact on people’s lives worldwide.

For me, it goes beyond hormones and building a global company. It’s about aiding others in achieving their dreams and having the financial resources to support fellow entrepreneurs and medical providers in their success and growth. I am delighted to share insights in your entrepreneur spotlight season series, aiming to help others understand how we achieved our goals. If there are components, tips, or tricks we’ve learned along the way that can contribute to others fulfilling their dreams, missions, or callings, that would be a lasting legacy for me.