I knew our time was up.
As I listened to my Doctor (let’s say Dr. Blue) at the time quote de-personalized recommendations while staring at her computer screen I realized our time together had run it’s course. Dr. Blue was great and what I needed in previous Seasons of life. As I have evolved in my healthcare journey, I needed an approach I could not find with her. We talked about it, and she totally understood as she was nearing retirement and what I was looking for was not in our trajectory. It was a very peaceful last visit and the closure I needed on that chapter.
So I began to do my homework, and look for a Doctor that practiced Lifestyle Medicine as well as traditional. A mix of both is what I needed to continue my health journey and elevate it. When I met my new Doctor (let’s call her Dr. Yellow), in our first visit she was AMAZING! Not only did she address every question and stretch goals I told her, we connected more deeply on healing practices like Mindfulness, Meditation, and Sleep Hygiene. In our most recent visit we spent more time peeling back the layered interventions for stress than a medication regime. Both equally important, one needed a bit more for FOR ME than the other.
In 2023 I wrote a post about the HAES movement and it’s impact on the industry. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had in communities of which often it’s not motivation that limits their well-being but the belief either real or perceived that the tools for better health are inaccessible. This inaccessibility may be by proximity, income, environmental or external messaging.
Meet Dr. Goff!
In a continuation of the Queen Series, let’s “saddle up” with Dr. Gisele Goff, MD, MBA Owner and Operator of Sassafras Farms. She is a self-described “City Girl” living her best life down on the Farm!!!! She moved to the country seeking to build an eco-friendly lifestyle for her family and friends. Farming has become a great passion of hers, and Sassafras Farms is a perfect blend.
When Dr. GG joined the line, she looked sun-kissed and windswept, healthy in a way only toiling the earth can bring you. #enviornmentalwellness!! We laughed and had a wonderful chat in this conversation.
As always, take what’s meant for you and leave what’s meant for someone else.
Judith: I always start each Queen Series blog interview checking in on my Queen. How are you doing? Here is a tool I created located in the 7 Whispers book to do a quick check on each area of your life. If you did complete the tool, did it surprise you at all?
Dr. GG: No Surprises. I have always tried to test my pulse on those dimensions. If I had to share what thing consistently needs improvement is my physical. Like many I am always exhausted and would rather rest than exercise. Living on the farm has helped me get some activity but it is something that continues to challenge me in my busy schedule.
Judith: Tell us about your journey to Farming and if your farming and medical worlds collide?
Dr. GG: Gardening was instilled in me by my mother. At an early age we had a garden in our backyard. My mother would grow greens and tomatoes. I didn’t appreciate it until many years later. I began my green thumb journey with landscape gardening (the art of designing, installing, and maintaining outdoor spaces to enhance their appearance and functionality). As my gardening skills matured, the craft became “therapy” that kept me sane in the world of medicine. I was then inspired to embrace my Mother’s legacy of vegetable gardening by my Cousin who too enjoys the craft. I learned of a Master Garden program and joined it. To my surprise Covid hit and we had to do it virtually. Like many, I was challenged with food insecurity during covid and decided I would make some changes. Life changes…(divorce, dating, becoming an empty nester) caused me to rethink my life. I wanted to feel food secure, mentally secure, and financially secure.
“I wanted to start a movement. My experience in medicine reminded me that People desired a pill in medicine to fix ailments, people became disconnected and isolated/lonely. People like me became food insecure.
My worlds collided and it created a desire to educate, to teach and more importantly to share. I wanted to challenge people to start getting back to the basics- to encourage Food is Medicine, to encourage garden therapy, to encourage people to reconnect with family and friends. I found my property which would allow me the opportunity to do such and jumped head in.
Judith: I am a testament you did your thang!! My family’s time on the farm was simply wonderful. Our family unplugged and bonded in a way we could not have done at home. The HAES movement is just beginning. Do you have any initial thoughts from my post in 2023?
Dr. GG: Dieting and the hamster wheel of dieting is near and dear to me. As a provider, Is true that most people gain weight from starvation diets and exercise phenomena but in the end when you stop your metabolism resorts back. Weight loss is a formula and then some. What you put in with calories you must burn off. If you are a high metabolizer, you may lose weight easily. If you are not you may not. Genetics and bowel biomes have a lot to do with this. There are plenty of people who are to the eye physically healthy but not healthy. I had the hardest time trying to convince that subset of my practice to exercise and often to eat healthy.
Judith: You are so, so, so right. I see this often while working in the community. What we percieve as health in physical form, is not always true. As a Physician, I’m sure you’ve seen your share of patient with chronic conditions. How can we be more cognizant in the way we discuss body size?
Dr. GG: Approach body size from their baseline. Recognize not one size fits all. Smaller individuals have problem areas too. Everyone should receive the same important information. Body image is important in the equation. Someone who grew up with tall people will less likely understand what it means to be short.
Judith: YES! Body image is just as important. We need to take the wheel of our health in and out of the exam room. Let’s get to the good stuff, can you tell us more about your Farm?
Dr. GG: Sassafras Farms began as a dream and a lifestyle change at an important milestone in my life. My ultimate goal it to create a beautiful space where people can disconnect and make memories. I am currently growing seasonal vegetables and this year planted a mini orchard which I hope to have yield in the next couple of years. I usually plant the things that I like and what will grow down here in Tennessee.
I have recently completed my store, which I coined “Sassafras FARMACY” where I sell my Produce and sell things that are good for the body, mind, and soul.
I have sourced a company to produce a line of products entitled All Things G. I am super excited about the line and will be adding additional items later. I have added many amenities to the farm that I enjoy and am learning farming. My farm has something for everyone who wants a different experience. It is my place of peace…a little bit of heaven. It boasts an event space, lodging for 18-9 comfortably, a pool, hot tub, and indoor infrared sauna. I also have converted my barn into an event space and am now booking for weddings and other events.
The significance of the name Sassafras Farms is multipronged. It is a nod to my career path-medicine, my personal journey-healing, and my heritage-roots. Sassafras is a tree that is used for medicinal purposes in certain cultures, namely African and Indian. The tree signifies healing and roots to me. In addition, my college nickname is a derivative of Sassafras and the Sassafras leaf is ground into a seasoning called filé which is used as to bind gumbo, a favorite dish in New Orleans; a place where I spent my college years. .As I thought about a name, I connected to this tree. What I have found since starting my farming journey is the tree is delicate and hard to find much like our Queen time. It is a special tree indeed as is my farm. I acquired some seeds recently. I will try to nurture them and see them grow.
Toone, TN location was chosen as I was on a quest to connect with my heritage. My mother’s family grew up in a town near here. I tried to get back there to connect with my roots. Due to costs, my search pushed me further away from the city and Toone is where I landed. It is a small quaint town and I am exploring and learning the culture. It turns out one of the first farmers I met knew my family and my Mother. Our families worshipped together when they were kids. Talk about full circle. He now mentors me and offers advice along my journey. I believe I was meant to be here. It feels like home.
Judith: Wow… Heritage meets Next Generation. I love it!!! In closing can you please finish this question…. I want every woman to be?
Dr. GG: Empowered to Dream and Execute. Another way of saying it is Step out on Faith. Dream big and watch it manifest. You may not have all the answers, but the first step is to dream.
I double dare the Queens out there to dream and watch it manifest.
Let’s start manifesting- Amen!
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