If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to make sense of your cycle, birth control options, or what’s actually going on with your hormones—you’re not alone. The women’s health space is full of noise, contradictions, and far too many “solutions” that don’t address root causes. Many of us are left with more questions than answers, wishing for someone who could help us piece it all together with clarity and compassion.

That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to Katherine Wathen, founder of Fertility Freedom Coaching & Education. Katherine is a licensed speech-language pathologist turned fertility awareness coach who brings both personal experience and professional training to a space where so many women are craving support. After years of navigating her own health journey—from losing her cycle to ditching hormonal birth control—Katherine found freedom in understanding the way God designed her body. And now she’s teaching other women to do the same.

In this conversation, Katherine shares her story, unpacks the power of Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), and offers practical insight into how you can start tracking your cycle with confidence. If you’ve ever wished someone could just walk with you (or a woman you love) through the mess of modern women’s health—this is for you.

Let’s get into it.

Welcome to the Wildly Well community, Katherine! Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

Hi, I’m Katherine Wathen! I live in beautiful Monument, Colorado with my husband Chad, our baby girl Eden, and our fun-loving chocolate lab Rowena (yes- we’re big Harry Potter fans!). Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, I first fell in love with Colorado in 2008 and knew it was where I was meant to be. That dream became a reality in 2021 when I moved to Boulder to pursue graduate school at the University of Colorado.

In just a few years, life has been full of big, beautiful changes: I got married, became a licensed speech-language pathologist, moved from Denver to Monument, adopted my sweet pup, bought a home, welcomed my daughter into the world, and launched my own fertility awareness business.

Through it all, I’ve seen God’s faithfulness and intentionality in every step. Each experience has woven together my passions for communication, connection, and holistic women’s health into a calling that I’m so excited to live out every day.

Okay, I love asking people this question: Describe yourself in 3 words. 

I would describe myself as dedicated, goofy and compassionate! 

You recently started a business called Fertility Freedom Coaching & Education. What prompted you to pursue this?

I felt called to start my own Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) coaching business because of my personal journey and the glaring gap I saw in women’s reproductive health education- even in an age where information seems more accessible than ever.

My fertility journey began in 2017 when I lost my menstrual cycle due to an eating disorder. Like many women, I was prescribed the pill to “regulate my hormones” but it only made matters worse. Less than six months later, I came off hormonal birth control and tried everything to restore my cycle—healing my relationship with food, reducing stress, taking supplements, and more.

Around the same time, I began following Jesus and experienced the redemption only He can bring. I prayed fervently for years for my cycle to return. Finally, in the fall of 2021, it came back!

When my (now) husband Chad and I got engaged in 2022 and started looking into birth control, I knew I didn’t want to do anything that would disrupt ovulation again. That’s when we discovered Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). We were skeptical at first, but after tons of research, prayer, and conversations with friends who were already using it, we felt so much peace about moving forward.

I was amazed by how intentionally God designed our bodies—how, by simply observing daily hormonal biomarkers, we could confidently avoid pregnancy until we felt called to start a family.

Once I realized how many women didn’t know this was even an option, I knew I had to share it.

What are you currently seeing in the world when it comes to hormonal birth control vs. tracking your cycle naturally?

One of the most overlooked issues in women’s healthcare today is the widespread prescription of hormonal contraceptives for reasons beyond pregnancy prevention—such as acne, painful periods, or irregular cycles. While these medications may provide temporary relief, they often act as a band-aid rather than addressing the root causes of these symptoms.

What’s more, most hormonal contraceptives suppress ovulation, a critical physiological process that plays a key role in a woman’s overall health- not just her fertility. In fact, ovulation has been referred to as a woman’s “Fifth Vital Sign,” a term popularized by fertility awareness educator Lisa Hendrickson-Jack. Regular ovulation supports bone density, mental health, and reduces the long-term risk of conditions like osteoporosis, depression, and even certain cancers, including breast and cervical cancer.

Unfortunately, many women are unaware that hormonal contraceptives are not their only option. Thanks to the intricate and purposeful design of the female cycle, it is possible to avoid pregnancy naturally- without synthetic hormones- by learning to track hormonal biomarkers and abstaining during the fertile window, which typically lasts just 5–6 days each cycle.

Personally, I experienced an incredible sense of freedom when I discovered that I could take charge of my fertility in a way that aligned with both my health and values. This realization inspired me to launch Fertility Freedom– a business dedicated to helping women reclaim their health, reconnect with their cycles, and walk in the confidence that comes from truly understanding how their bodies were designed.

What symptoms might someone be experiencing when they start working with you, and what is your goal as you work with them?

When I begin reviewing charts with my clients, I often find that many women aren’t even sure what a “normal” cycle looks like- whether it’s in terms of length, cervical mucus patterns, or expected symptoms during different phases. This is where the educational foundation of Fertility Freedom becomes so important.

I teach women how to interpret their charts through the lens of what’s biologically typical and healthy, empowering them to spot irregularities and better understand their bodies. From there, we discuss holistic strategies to support cycle health- like lengthening a short luteal phase or minimizing PMS symptoms- and when appropriate, I refer them to reproductive health practitioners who can provide deeper insight and care.

For example, two of my clients who recently discontinued hormonal contraceptives began to observe cycle patterns indicative of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), such as extended cycle lengths of 36 days or more. Based on these observations, I referred them to OBGYNs, who subsequently confirmed the diagnosis.

Who is your dream client to work with?

My dream client is a woman in her reproductive years who desires to embrace God’s design for her body. She’s ready to ditch hormonal contraceptives and learn to chart her cycle to support her reproductive health- whether she’s aiming to achieve or avoid pregnancy, uncover underlying health issues, or optimize her overall cycle health. 

Coaching is in your business name. Tell us more about what coaching is, what kinds of things you cover in FAM coaching, and how having a coach can positively impact someone’s fertility journey.

To me, coaching is about uncovering what my clients already know and understand about their cycle, then using my expertise to fill in the gaps and guide them toward achieving their goals. 

I guide clients through FEMM’s three-session program over the course of three months, offering personalized education on fertility awareness and reproductive health. Each session covers key topics including:

• Reproductive anatomy and physiology
• Hormonal patterns across the menstrual cycle
• Observing and charting biomarkers
• Identifying different phases of the menstrual cycle
• Using fertility awareness for family planning
  

At the start of each session, we review your personal chart together and address any questions. Working with a fertility awareness method (FAM) practitioner and coach will boost your confidence in interpreting your observations, offer guidance when your chart doesn’t follow the textbook pattern, and provide personalized support every step of the way!

If you could tell women in their 20/30s just one thing, what would it be?

You don’t have to have your whole life figured out! God is using your unique story, gifts, and passions right now to prepare you for things in the future that will further His Kingdom.

I went to graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist, and now I’m also a FAM practitioner and business owner- something I never would have seen coming in my early 20s!

How can someone work with you? Do they have to live in Colorado? 

If you’re in the U.S. and have internet access, we can work together virtually via Google Meet! I also offer in-person sessions for women in the Colorado Springs and Monument, CO area.

Schedule a free consultation or book your first 1:1 session by sending me a DM on Instagram @fertilityfreedom.co or emailing me at katherine@fertilityfreedom.co

I can’t wait to connect with you!

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If this conversation was insightful or encouraging to you, would you kindly leave a comment below and thank Katherine for her time and expertise? It was such a joy and pleasure to share her with you guys, and I want her to feel the love!

P.S. You will also love this post about the heart of wellness and this one called When Your Physical Symptoms Are All-Encompassing.