Inspiring Conversations with Tenáj Ikner of Elevate Maternity

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tenáj Ikner

Hi Tenáj, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I suppose my story began with Pasadena Doula Associates, which grew from my natural knack for supporting friends and family during their births. In 2015, after a personal journey of discovery during my own pregnancies, I took my first labor doula training and officially began my career. Pasadena Doula Associates grew into a thriving agency known for providing exceptional support and guidance to expectant parents. We built a reputation for being calm in the storm, offering a steady presence, and being skilled in physical pain management. Our mission was to empower women, helping them find their strength, voice, and unique path during childbirth.

It wasn’t until 2022 that life forced me to step away from this work. After a year and a half away and some deep, meaningful conversations about women’s reproductive health, I was able to refocus and recalibrate to determine what is really important. This led me to focus on naturopathic health and nutrition, resulting in the creation of my solo practice, Elevate Maternity, in 2024.

Over the course of my career, I became a doula educator, acquired many certifications in the perinatal space, and am beginning a PhD journey in Traditional Naturopathic Medicine. Elevate Maternity was inspired by my personal experiences with autoimmunity challenges and witnessing friends and family face pregnancy loss and secondary infertility. I also reflected on my childhood and realized the importance of maternal health in shaping a family’s well-being.

Elevate Maternity still offers in-person doula support but is now established to have a broader reach to help more women who are on their journey from fertility to postpartum. My new focus is on preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum health, specifically for women who deeply desire to be the best versions of themselves for their families.

This journey has been about personal and professional growth, and I’m excited to continue empowering and guiding families through Elevate Maternity.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but every bump and twist has shaped this journey in meaningful ways. The most challenging time was in 2022. I had to step away from my doula practice due to the unexpected loss of my mom. This period was incredibly tough emotionally, and it required me to take a break to heal and support my family. I honestly thought I was done with this work. I couldn’t imagine celebrating with a family when my heart was so broken. It was a time of deep reflection, and while it was earth-shattering, it also provided me with a new perspective on life, my faith, and my work.

Another significant challenge has been navigating the complexities of running a business while being a wife and homeschooling mom to three incredible kids. I want to pause here and say we graduated our first child this year! I’m very proud of us all. This was a MAJOR accomplishment.

All that to say balancing my professional aspirations with my responsibilities at home has always been a juggling act, but it’s one that has taught me the importance of time management and prioritizing self-care. Something I say often is, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” It reminds to recalibrate when necessary.

Professionally, one of the ongoing challenges has been staying up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the perinatal space. Acquiring multiple certifications and taking on a new education program has been demanding but incredibly rewarding. It’s essential for me to provide the best possible care and guidance to my clients, and continuous learning is a big part of that commitment.

Creating Elevate Maternity in 2024 was also a significant transition. Shifting my focus from doula work to a broader approach that includes naturopathic health and nutrition required a lot of effort, planning, and, sometimes, trial and error. However, this shift was necessary to meet the deeper needs I observed in the maternity space, particularly for women dealing with autoimmunity challenges, pregnancy loss, and secondary infertility.

Despite these challenges, each struggle has reinforced my passion and commitment to supporting women on their journey from fertility to postpartum. The difficulties have made the successes all the more meaningful, and I’m grateful for every experience that has brought me to where I am today personally and professionally with Elevate Maternity.

As you know, we’re big fans of Elevate Maternity. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What sets Elevate Maternity apart is my unique focus on integrating naturopathic principles with traditional perinatal support. I specialize in guiding women through their fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum journeys with personalized naturopathic health coaching and holistic support, helping them feel empowered and confident every step of the way with tailored nutrition plans and health strategies that align with their lifestyle choices. At Elevate Maternity, I believe that a healthy mom is the foundation for a healthy family. Guiding women from fertility to postpartum, my mission is to empower mothers with the knowledge and tools to establish a strong, simple, and sustainable health foundation, while reducing the overwhelm and fear of the unknown. Utilizing my signature K.I.S.S. Framework, I provide personalized coaching, specific supplementation, expert nutrition guidance, and essential education to help each mother navigate her journey and thrive.

One of the key aspects I am known for is my personalized approach to care. Every woman’s journey is unique, and I strive to provide individualized support that meets each client’s specific needs and goals. My services are designed to offer emotional, physical, nutritional, and educational support, helping women navigate the complexities of reproductive health, pregnancy, and postpartum with confidence and clarity.

The K.I.S.S. Framework is used in all my programs. This structured approach ensures that every client receives comprehensive and continuous support throughout their journey. Additionally, I offer specific supplementation to address individual nutritional needs and optimize health outcomes.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of my commitment to excellence and the positive impact I have on my clients’ lives. Elevate Maternity is not just about providing a service; it’s about building a community of empowered women who feel supported and informed throughout their reproductive journey. My holistic approach ensures that I address all aspects of health – physical, emotional, and nutritional – creating a comprehensive support system for my clients.

I am also proud of my ability to show up authentically. My no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach resonates with my clients and helps them feel confident and empowered.

For readers of Voyage LA Magazine, I want you to know that Elevate Maternity is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re preparing for conception, navigating pregnancy, or adjusting to postpartum life, I offer a range of services to meet your needs. My offerings include:

Fertility Health Coaching: Programs to get your body, mind, and environment ready to enter into or continue on your preconception journey with optimized and solid foundations.

In-Person Doula Support: Providing continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and birth.

Naturopathic Health Coaching: Tailored health and nutrition protocols based on naturopathic principles that are personalized to your lifestyle.

Childbirth Education: Comprehensive programs and resources to prepare you for labor and delivery.

Postpartum Nutrition Coaching: A holistic approach to postpartum wellness that ensures a woman’s body is well-nourished and optimized for healing with the aim to reduce or eliminate the onset of PMADs and auto-immunity.

Educational Resources: Comprehensive guides, journals, and coaching programs designed to empower you with knowledge and confidence.

Specific Supplementation: Providing personalized supplement recommendations and protocols to meet your unique health needs.

My ideal clients are xennial to millennial women who follow a meat-based diet and likely identify as “scrunchy.” These women are looking for comprehensive, personalized support on their reproductive journey. My goal is to help you achieve a healthy, fulfilling reproductive journey, ensuring you have the support, encouragement, and empowerment you deserve. At Elevate Maternity, I believe that a healthy mom is the foundation for a healthy family, and I am committed to helping you achieve your best health.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor and networking effectively can be challenging, but it’s crucial for personal and professional growth. My first advice is to have a clear goal for each meeting or networking event. Knowing your goals helps you stay focused and makes your interactions more meaningful. This approach has helped me navigate many dud networking meetings and, in turn, led me to meet some fantastic providers and colleagues in this space.

One tool that has been particularly inspiring for me is Dan Sullivan’s Impact Filter. It helps you clarify your objectives and desired outcomes for any given situation. Applying this filter to my networking efforts has been a game-changer, allowing me to approach each interaction with purpose and clarity.

Additionally, I recommend being authentic and genuine in your interactions. People are more likely to connect with you and offer support if they see your true self. I believe this authenticity has helped me build solid and meaningful relationships in my field. It helps you to connect with those who are indeed for you. Trying to be someone else doesn’t facilitate true connection.

Find a mentor who aligns with your values and approach. Reach out to them with specific questions or requests for advice. Show genuine interest in their work and be open to learning from their experiences. Mentorship is a two-way street, so be prepared to offer your insights and support in return. I’m all about reciprocity.

In line with my commitment to mentorship and networking, Pasadena Doula Associates is shifting from a doula agency to a doula membership. This new model is designed to assist doulas in mentorship and networking, providing them with the resources and connections they need to thrive in their practice. Additionally, the membership is open to doula-adjacent providers, allowing them to network with doulas with high standards. It’s an exciting transition that will foster a supportive community for doulas and related professionals, enabling them to grow personally and professionally.

Networking is about building relationships and finding opportunities to learn and grow together. Stay open, be purposeful, and always look for ways to support others in your network. By doing so, you’ll find great mentors and become a valuable resource for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elevatematernity.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vitalmomwellness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatematernity
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/Elev8Maternity
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elevate-maternity-pasadena-2?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)