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Mental health struggles during pregnancy and postpartum can be overwhelming, leaving many women searching for solutions beyond conventional psychiatric care. In a compelling episode of Perinatal and Reproductive Perspectives, host Becky Morrison Gleed sat down with Celeste Brinkerhoff, a certified peer support specialist and holistic health coach, to discuss her personal journey through bipolar disorder with schizoaffective features, the struggles of early motherhood, and her discovery of broad-spectrum micronutrient therapy.
Celeste’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and advocacy—a journey that ultimately led her to Daily Essential Nutrients (DEN) from Hardy Nutritionals. Through scientifically-backed nutrition, mindfulness, and a strong support network, she reclaimed her life and is now empowering others to do the same.
Celeste was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with schizoaffective features at the age of 18. As she shared on the podcast, this diagnosis shaped her early adult years in ways that felt limiting. Like many, she was placed on psychiatric medications, but her response to conventional treatments was less than ideal.
At just 23, struggling to hold down her first job, she was advised to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)—a recommendation that made her question the trajectory of her mental health treatment.
“I thought, wow, I’m really young... I just had this inclination that there had to be something more I could do,” Celeste recalled.
That instinct led her to explore holistic and integrative approaches—a journey that would eventually change her life.
One pivotal moment in Celeste’s healing journey was meeting Dr. Scott Shannon.
Dr. Scott Shannon is a leading expert in integrative psychiatry with decades of experience pioneering holistic mental health treatments. He is a co-founder of the Wholeness Center in Colorado, the largest integrative mental health clinic in the U.S., and has served as president of both the American Holistic Medical Association and the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine.
A board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Shannon has been instrumental in advancing micronutrient therapy, psychedelic research, and integrative approaches to mental health. He has authored four books, including the first textbook on holistic psychiatry, and has trained countless professionals in innovative mental health care. His work continues to shape the future of mental wellness, offering hope and groundbreaking solutions for those seeking alternatives to conventional psychiatric care.
For over 20 years, Dr. Shannon has utilized Hardy formulations to help support many Wholeness Center patients with mental health concerns. As he has done countless times, he introduced Celeste to Hardy Nutritionals Daily Essential Nutrients, a specialized broad-spectrum micronutrient therapy that supports brain function, mood stability, and overall mental health.
Dr. Shannon's method was simple: balance the body’s nutrient levels, optimize brain chemistry, and allow the nervous system to function as it was meant to.
Celeste described a profound moment of clarity while walking with her sister:
“I just stopped her and said, ‘I feel normal.’ It was like gears had finally aligned, and I experienced a flow in my body that I had never felt before.”
With proper nutritional support, Celeste regained stability, re-entered the workforce, and began living a full life—something she never thought was possible with her diagnosis.
As Celeste’s understanding of micronutrient therapy deepened, she discovered Daily Essential Nutrients with Added Vitamers (DEN-V) from Hardy Nutritionals, a clinical-strength, research-backed micronutrient formulation designed to support optimal brain function. Unlike conventional multivitamins, DEN provides highly bioavailable minerals and vitamins in precisely balanced ratios, ensuring that the body absorbs and utilizes them effectively.
This approach helped Celeste naturally support her mood, reduce mental health symptoms, and regain her cognitive function, all while working in harmony with her body.
“Before I started using Daily Essential Nutrients, I felt trapped by my diagnosis and the constant medication adjustments,” Celeste shared. “But with the right nutritional support, I finally experienced a sense of normalcy that I never thought was possible.”
Celeste’s journey took another turn when she became pregnant. As she shared on the podcast, pregnancy brought significant challenges, including:
Her midwife, Annie, became a lifeline of support, tirelessly researching safe alternatives and helping Celeste navigate pregnancy without the severe instability she feared.
“My body was inflamed, undernourished, and my ecosystem was completely out of balance,” Celeste explained. “I was lucky to have a midwife who advocated for me and helped me find the right tools—including proper nutritional support—to keep me stable through pregnancy and postpartum.”Now, years later, Hardy Nutritionals has introduced the world's most complete pre and post-natal supplement, Daily Essential Nutrients Prenatal, addressing depression and other mental health concerns holistically for pregnant women who prefer to avoid antidepressants.
Beyond nutrition, mindfulness became an essential tool in Celeste’s recovery.
“I would micro-focus on my senses—what does the dish detergent smell like? What’s the temperature of the water? These became my anchors,” she shared.
This practice helped her manage anxiety, postpartum stress, and dissociation, reinforcing the connection between mental wellness, mindfulness, and nutrition.
One of the most powerful moments in the podcast was Celeste’s story about knocking on her neighbor’s door in a moment of desperation.
“One day, I decided to get some courage up. I knocked on the door and said, ‘Hey, my name is Celeste Brinkerhoff. I live next door, and I’m struggling with my mental health. This is my daughter.’”
Her neighbor, Joyce, responded with compassion, dignity, and normalcy—something Celeste had rarely experienced when discussing her mental health.
“It’s ridiculous that mental illness doesn’t deserve a casserole,” Celeste said. “We rally around cancer, but mental health struggles are just as deserving of support.”
This moment of vulnerability helped break down the stigma, reinforcing the importance of community, advocacy, and open conversations.
Celeste’s experiences motivated her to step into the world of advocacy and coaching. She became a certified peer support specialist and founded Mentally Real, a holistic coaching platform dedicated to helping others find natural, research-backed solutions for mental health challenges. She then went on to join the Hardy team as a Health Practitioner Advisor.
Her partnership with Hardy Nutritionals is a testament to her belief in broad-spectrum micronutrient therapy as a cornerstone of mental wellness.
Celeste Brinkerhoff’s journey is a powerful reminder that mental health recovery is possible, and holistic strategies—particularly nutrition—can be life-changing.
Her experience with Daily Essential Nutrients (DEN) highlights the transformative power of broad-spectrum micronutrient therapy, offering hope to those struggling with mental health challenges.
To learn more about how Daily Essential Nutrients (DEN) supports mental health, visit Hardy Nutritionals.
For those seeking coaching and peer support, Celeste invites you to connect through Mentally Real.
For more inspiring conversations with Becky Morrison Gleed on perinatal and reproductive health, check out Perinatal and Reproductive Perspectives: The Podcast.
