Today we’d like to introduce you to Crysta Whitehurst.
Hi Crysta, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a full spectrum Doula focusing on the entire scope of womb work. From birth, postpartum, lactation, loss and trauma healing, I seek to help bring advocacy to womxn and their families as they come into the journey of pregnancy and through the other side. My goal is to educate, support and focus on creating a safe space for those who seek a positive possibility within this multi-faceted human experience. This work is sacred and a fundamental part of our growth as we move through pregnancy, labor/birth, postpartum, and beyond.
My journey into this innate part of living began in my own introduction into motherhood. My experience was far from pleasant and I knew that there was more to this journey than what I had encountered. Since then, I have spent over a decade working hard to fill in the gaps and lend a hand into some of the most sacred places of our lives.
As my experience through this spectrum grows, I am continuing to seek further education, partnerships, and raising the bar of womb work and healing. Since 2011, I have been a practicing herbalist and in 2014, I opened my first shop to the public instead of only offering herbal medicinals to my clients. In 2016, that shop closed to keep the focus on small intimate healing circles and push the focus back to birth support and surrogacy.
2018 allowed me to begin the work of a true shadow medicine woman and plant healer. Since then, I have dedicated my life to bring a conscious connection to the collective human experience through shadow integration and plant medicine allies. Thus bridging the gap of all my studies.
Through these incredible Opportunities, I have watched people heal, love and let go of different parts of their own stories to create new ones. I am blessed to be able to offer and hold this space for others.
Above all things, I am passionate about my biggest passion, my family. I am a mother to 6 (4 I have birthed and 2 I have had the pleasure of loving as my own) I have a wonderful husband who fully embodies and supports all of my work. Through this, we have explored the world of surrogacy and changing the narrative in supporting families, completing a journey in 2018 and connecting through another journey in 2020/21.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been far from a smooth road. The amount of growth that happens in yourself and through your own business is pretty astronomical. As each season brought me pain and heartache, like near homelessness when leaving my abusive marriage in 2016. To raising my four children and healing myself with nothing but the clothes on our backs to meeting my now husband who is the light of my life within that first year. Co-creating and raising a family together during all of this and the ebbs of growing my business. We had personal hardships in surrogacy that prompted me to change the way I showed up for others. Death and loss of family members, the ache of raising six kids and of all different ages. Changes in jobs and personal/ mental health needs. But that is what living is. It’s having faith and trusting that you are here for more than suffering. And so each storm eventually brought seasons of sunshine and growth.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work within Surrogacy, helping to advocate, educate and support both Surrogates and Intended Parents. The goal is to bridge the gaps the industry has created and allow families to expand beyond dollar signs and heartache. But to truly see, know, live and understand one another. Surrogacy can truly be a beautiful experience for all.
In addition to my studies, I run an apothecary, focusing on herbal wellness and plant healing. Connecting to Mother Nature is essential and so many of us over time have severed this link. Focusing on women’s wellness, these tinctures, teas, baths, salves, etc have been created seasonally and through much of my own garden or local growers.
Holding such a well-rounded space allows me to serve as many individuals and families as I do. And I’m incredibly honored that this is my path to service in this lifetime.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Well, I do not reside in the Southwest anymore. Previously raised there from 1998 until 2010, it’s a huge part of my life. It’s always where I go when I need peace and reflection.
And my work allows me to travel so I am ALWAYS headed to where I am called.
I find that there seems to be less support for what I do or bring to women and families here though and travel to this area the least often. I have been told that my work isn’t supportive of the right communities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ilithyiaspace.wixsite.com/doula
- Instagram: WombWise_apothecary
Image Credits
Jessika Brent
Maggie Velasco
The PaperTiger Photography
Conscious Enterprise x Chelsea Dygert
