Kathryn Jones
Kathy Anne Jones is a bio-scientist, wellness coach, author, and natural chef with more than 40 years of experience in the health and wellness field. Her journey was deeply shaped by personal loss, losing her mother to colon cancer when she was young and watching her father struggle with heart disease, which inspired her early interest in the connection between food, lifestyle, and disease. Long before it became mainstream, she began studying nutrition and preventive health, initially working in microbiology within the medical field while building a strong foundation in science based wellness.
Driven by her passion for food and healing, Kathy transitioned from laboratory science into culinary health entrepreneurship, founding Seasons Best, Iowa’s first organic restaurant, located in Iowa City on Washington and Gilbert. She successfully operated the restaurant for nine years and even catered for notable clients such as Hayden Fry. This hands on culinary experience became the foundation for her belief that real food is one of the most powerful tools for transformation, leading her to expand into education, coaching, and lifestyle based health support.
For the past 15 years, she has led her coaching practice, Joyful Approach to Health, built on the philosophy that wellness should be sustainable, practical, and joyful, not restrictive or overwhelming. Her work is highly multifaceted, including in home nutrition education, cooking classes at local shops, virtual Zoom sessions focused on mindset, food, and movement, and personalized one on one coaching via phone, Zoom, and in person visits. She specializes in helping clients understand the deeper root causes of weight and health challenges, emphasizing a whole person approach rather than focusing solely on calories or food intake. Known for her ability to simplify healthy living, she teaches practical strategies such as budget friendly meal planning, multitasking in the kitchen, and transforming everyday ingredients into efficient, nourishing meals.
• University of Iowa - BS
• Featured as Influential Woman for 2026
• Amigos de Animales
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to trying to make it simple for people. In my book, I trademarked what I call the SPEAK method, and SPEAK is an acronym I created. S stands for self-care, P is pursue your passion, E is eat healthy, A is activity - throw out that word exercise, just get up and move. And K, which I found when I was writing my book and teaching the SPEAK Method, really brings it all together, and that's kindness - be kind to yourself and be kind to others. I teach that it's progress over perfection, and to practice the SPEAK method every day. Maybe it's drinking more water, maybe it's taking a walk, maybe it's just giving yourself a facial and being kind to yourself. That's what makes the difference.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to keep evolving. You know, keep being open to change. I started out as a bioscientist, then I became an entrepreneur, then I've worked for people, but the key is to always be flexible. Always don't be too hard on yourself, and just take it one day, one moment at a time.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not overthink it. Work from your heart. Yes, you need the knowledge to teach people, but more than anything, what people are looking for, especially in this day and age, is connection and feeling that somebody cares about them. So don't think that you've got to be scientific and teach them all the ins and outs of different nutrients or how to cook. Just meet people where they're at. That's the most important thing to do when it comes to people.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Time management.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Number one is integrity. Without that, you know, people will see through you eventually. You can only fool people for so long. And so, when you are honest and have integrity with people, that matters. And kindness. I think kindness, integrity, and honesty are what matter most.
Locations
Joyful Approach to Health
Hendersonville, NC 28792