By Nancy Jennings
Along with the popularity of consuming more probiotics in our diets, the quest to get and maintain a “healthy gut” can be a challenging feat. Sublimity resident Megan Templeman wants to help clients succeed and achieve ongoing optimal health.
Templeman, 34, a certified functional and holistic nutritional therapist for women, specializes in chronic health problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, headaches, bloating, constipation, skin conditions and autoimmune issues. With client sessions conducted online or via the phone, she targets various digestive issues and food sensitivities to help reduce stress and inflammation in the body.
“The lab interprets the results, but I create an individualized protocol based on those results and I go over them with my clients, answer questions – and offer supplemental recommendations,” Templeman explained.
Born and raised in Bend, and raised in Tigard, Templeman attended Central Oregon Community College for two years and earned her Associate’s Degree. Then she transferred to Oregon State University in Corvallis, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences.
“I worked for a medical office for almost eight years and decided that I wanted to do more, so I went back to school. I went to the Nutritional Therapy Association up in Washington – an online school – and then I completed another online program through the ‘Restorative Wellness Solutions.’ That program looked at more of the functional testing that can be done for clients, like gastrointestinal… and food/chemical sensitivities… and looking at the health of the adrenals through other various testing methods,” she explained.
After conducting an initial interview, she decides if testing is the right option for a client.
“Not everyone [has] digestive symptoms, but that doesn’t mean their gut is fully healthy. You still want to test the gut because it’s so important to the rest of the health of the body,” she said, adding that gluten, dairy and sugar are the three most common offenders to rule out.
She and her husband, Austin Basl, moved from Bend to Sublimity last November. Little did she know that her former city would become the active verb in the name of her budding business.
“I went to a ‘TED Talk’ in Bend. They had a big sign that said ‘Bend.’ So I looked up at it and was thinking ‘OK, I live in Bend – and my thought is to be ‘flexible’ with your health.” And, voila, “Bend Your Nutrition” was born.
Templeman is quick to admit she indulges in sweets and other goodies (about 10 percent of the time) just like anybody else.
“I’m not a purist and I’m going to be human at times – especially at birthday parties, weddings and holidays,” she said. “I’m going to be the healthiest person I can be, but I live by a ‘90/10’ rule.”
Templeman enjoys walking outdoors with her two Labrador Retrievers, and bike riding. She is an avid baker and cook – preparing three meals a day.
She can be contacted at through her website: bendyournutrition.com.
