My Family
Sadly, many of us hear—far too often—that someone we love has been diagnosed with cancer or a lifelong illness. This reality is deeply personal to me.
Our journey began when our son was born with a rare genetic syndrome. Doctors warned us he might not survive his first year and, if he did, may never walk, talk, or eat independently. We persevered and gave him the best life we could with the knowledge we had at the time.
Soon after, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. As a family, we cared for our son while fighting the disease together. Ultimately, my husband passed—leaving our family forever changed.
Grief has a way of fueling evaluations and adjustments for growth in your life. When a family member has a chronic illness, your choices may feel limited. Losing my husband pushed me to face our challenges with deeper intention and led me to pursue graduate studies in early childhood mental health. That training has helped my family navigate daily social, emotional, and physical challenges—and continues to guide the compassionate, family-centered work I do today.
“My losses and tragedies, in their own way, have become my strongest motivations to help others”
About Tammy
Hi, I’m Tammy Willard, founder of Heartfelt Family Living — a family-centered space dedicated to helping individuals and families heal, grow, and thrive through compassion, connection, and evidence-based nutrition.
I’m a Certified Nutritarian Coach with Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s organization, a Whole Food Plant-Based Coach through the Food Revolution Network, a Brain Health Professional via the Amen Method, and certified in Root Cause Analysis Coaching. I am also pursuing my PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development, with a focus on micronutrient excellence and lifelong family wellness.
My mission is to help you nourish your body, calm your mind, and strengthen your family’s foundation—one heartfelt step at a time.
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside families in studies focused on ADHD, related challenges, and a research-based Childhood Weight Control Program. These experiences reinforced a core belief: meaningful, lasting change happens when families are supported and empowered together.
This work is deeply personal. My son was not expected to survive his first year of life, yet today he is thriving in his late teenage years. His growth reflects the power of a supportive family environment and proper nutrition—principles that remain at the heart of Heartfelt Family Living.
“My mission is to help others maximize healthy environments in their homes and their bodies while promoting a long happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.”
Our Way Forward
After years of loss and deep challenge, our family slowly found its way forward. Love re-entered our lives through a caring stepfather and husband, and together we began rebuilding—grounded in shared values, connection, and a desire for a long, healthy, and meaningful life.
As a family, we embraced a Nutritarian, whole foods, plant-rich lifestyle. Through this shared commitment—and with the guidance of a supportive medical team—my husband was able to come off blood pressure and cholesterol medications under close physician supervision, with regular monitoring to ensure safety and well-being. A deep respect for collaborative, evidence-informed care has shaped my approach to health. I am continually inspired by leaders who view health through a holistic, multidisciplinary lens.
Guidance rooted in Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s decades of research played a meaningful role in our family’s lifestyle changes. Nancy Young supported us in applying this work in a practical, sustainable way. Throughout our transition, our whole-foods, plant-based family physician, Dr. Jay Benson of Aspen Health, closely monitored our progress, ensuring safety and well-being through a holistic lens.
These experiences, along with my training through the Food Revolution Network, continue to fuel my passion to support other families on their path toward healthier, more connected lives—one thoughtful step at a time.
“May all be fed, may all be healed, may all be loved”
–John Robbins, Food Revolution Network.
And may all be given the foundation they need to do so!
Let’s get curious about these things together!
