Frequently Asked Questions

Balance Wellness Ventures, INC is a holistic wellness consulting company founded by Char Gardner. We specialize in personalized wellness plans designed specifically for women navigating midlife, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Our approach combines blood type eating protocols, natural hormone support, fitness strategies, mental wellness tools, and spiritual alignment practices to create a fully customized roadmap for each client.

Our services are designed for women in midlife, typically between the ages of 35 and 65, who are experiencing hormonal changes, perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause. Whether you are dealing with hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, sleep disruptions, or simply want to take a proactive approach to your wellness during this season of life, our programs are built for you.

The best way to get started is to complete our free Wellness Intake Form on the website. This comprehensive assessment covers your health history, blood type, menopausal status, nutrition habits, fitness level, mental health, and spiritual wellness. After you submit the form, you will receive a personalized mini wellness preview with initial recommendations. From there, you can book a consultation to discuss a full 12-week personalized wellness program.

Yes, the Wellness Intake Form is completely free. After completing the assessment, you will also receive a complimentary mini wellness preview with personalized recommendations based on your responses. You can download this preview as a PDF for your records. There is no obligation to purchase any services after completing the intake form.

Knowing your blood type is helpful because it plays a role in our nutrition recommendations, but it is not required to get started. If you do not know your blood type, you can select 'I don't know' on the intake form. We can guide you on how to find out your blood type, and we will still provide valuable recommendations based on the rest of your health profile.

We offer four core service areas: Personalized Hormonal Balance Consulting (one-on-one virtual guidance for hormonal shifts), Menopause-Optimized Wellness Coaching (holistic support for energy and vitality), Custom Fitness and Lifestyle Plans (individualized movement and recovery programs), and Ongoing Support and Accountability Packages (flexible 3-month and 6-month programs). We also offer specialized services including blood type eating protocols, holistic detox programs, natural hormone replacement through food, traditional Chinese medicine integration, sleep and recovery optimization, and metabolic reset strategies.

The 12-Week Hormonal Balance Program is our signature offering. It is a comprehensive, personalized wellness program that goes beyond blood type to create a complete wellness plan addressing your unique needs and goals. The program includes regular one-on-one virtual consultations, customized nutrition plans, fitness routines, supplement recommendations, mental wellness strategies, and ongoing adjustments as your body responds. It is designed to create lasting transformation, not quick fixes.

Both programs include regular one-on-one virtual check-ins, progress tracking, plan adjustments, and direct access to guidance between sessions. The 3-month program is ideal if you want focused support on a specific area of wellness, such as hormonal balance or fitness. The 6-month program provides a more comprehensive approach with deeper work across all six pillars of wellness (hormonal harmony, holistic nutrition, movement and strength, spiritual alignment, mental wellness, and ongoing support), plus more time for your body to respond and for us to refine your plan.

All of our consultations and coaching sessions are conducted virtually, which means you can work with us from anywhere in the United States. Virtual sessions are held via video call, making it convenient to fit into your schedule without travel time. We are based in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, but we serve clients nationwide.

A typical session begins with a review of your progress since the last meeting, including any changes in symptoms, energy levels, or how you are feeling overall. We then discuss your current nutrition, fitness, and wellness practices, make adjustments to your plan based on your results, and set goals for the next period. Sessions are conversational and supportive. You will never feel rushed or judged. The goal is to make sure your plan is working for your life, not the other way around.

At this time, our primary focus is on one-on-one personalized consulting to ensure each client receives the individualized attention they deserve. However, we do offer self-paced e-workbooks that cover many of the same topics addressed in our consulting programs. If you are interested in group programs or workshops, please reach out through our contact form and we will let you know about any upcoming offerings.

We offer six comprehensive e-workbooks: 'Know Your Blood, Nourish Your Body' (blood type wellness), 'Thriving Through the Change' (perimenopause and menopause), 'Eat to Heal' (holistic nutrition and detox), 'Strong After 40' (midlife fitness and movement), 'Quiet the Noise' (mental wellness and stress reduction), and 'Align Your Spirit' (spiritual wellness and life purpose). Each workbook is packed with assessments, trackers, meal plans, exercises, and actionable tools.

Each individual e-workbook is priced at $15.99. We also offer The Complete BWV Wellness Collection, which includes all six workbooks bundled together for $79.63, saving you 17% compared to purchasing them individually.

All e-workbooks are delivered as downloadable PDF files. They are designed to be read on any device (computer, tablet, or phone) and can also be printed if you prefer a physical copy. Each workbook includes fillable worksheets, trackers, and journal pages that you can use digitally or on paper.

After completing your purchase, your e-workbook will be available for immediate download. The PDF file will automatically begin downloading to your device. You will also receive a confirmation with your purchase details. Please make sure to save the file to a location you can easily find on your device.

No. Each e-workbook purchase grants you a personal, non-transferable, non-exclusive license for your own personal use only. Sharing, reproducing, distributing, or reselling any of our digital products is not permitted and is a violation of our intellectual property rights. If a friend is interested, please direct them to our website to purchase their own copy.

The e-workbooks are excellent standalone resources packed with valuable information, assessments, and practical tools. However, they are designed as general guides and do not replace the personalized attention of our one-on-one consulting programs. For a truly customized approach that accounts for your unique health profile, hormonal status, and specific goals, we recommend combining the workbooks with a consulting program.

Our consulting and program pricing varies depending on the scope and duration of the program. We offer flexible options to fit different budgets and needs. For specific pricing on our 12-Week Hormonal Balance Program, 3-month and 6-month coaching packages, and individual consulting sessions, please contact us directly at [email protected] or call 1 (844) 739-3556.

Payments are processed through secure third-party payment processors. We accept major credit cards and debit cards. All transactions are encrypted and secure. We do not store your credit card information on our servers.

For longer programs such as the 3-month and 6-month packages, we may offer payment plan options. Please contact us to discuss what arrangements may be available for your specific program of interest. Payment plan details, if available, will be discussed during your initial consultation.

All sales are final. Due to the digital nature of our e-workbook products and the personalized nature of our consulting services, all purchases are non-refundable. This applies to e-workbooks, consulting sessions, program enrollments, and bundle purchases. For full details, please review our Terms and Conditions page.

The Wellness Intake Form is a comprehensive assessment that covers eight areas: your personal information, health and blood profile, hormonal and menopausal health, nutrition and diet habits, fitness and movement practices, mental health and stress levels, spiritual wellness, and your goals and commitment level. It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete and gives us a thorough picture of where you are right now.

After submitting your Wellness Intake Form, you receive a personalized mini wellness preview. This is a complimentary snapshot that includes insights based on your blood type, personalized recommendations across six areas (nutrition, hormonal support, fitness, supplements, mental health, and spiritual alignment), and suggested next steps. You can download this preview as a PDF. It is designed to give you a taste of the personalized approach we take in our full programs.

After completing the intake form, you will immediately receive your personalized mini wellness preview on screen, which you can download as a PDF. This preview includes initial recommendations based on your responses. The next step is to book a consultation where we will review your intake results in detail and discuss whether the 12-Week Hormonal Balance Program or another service is the right fit for your needs and goals.

Absolutely. All information you provide through the Wellness Intake Form is kept strictly confidential. We use your responses solely for the purpose of creating personalized wellness recommendations and providing our services. We will not sell, rent, or share your personal health information with third parties for marketing purposes. For complete details on how we handle your data, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Three things set us apart. First, every method we recommend has been personally tested by our founder, Char Gardner, who is herself a woman thriving in menopause. Second, we do not use one-size-fits-all solutions. Every plan is customized to your specific blood type, hormonal profile, health history, and lifestyle. Third, we take a whole-woman approach that addresses all six pillars of wellness: hormonal harmony, holistic nutrition, movement and strength, spiritual alignment, mental wellness, and ongoing support.

Blood type eating is a nutritional approach based on the idea that your blood type (A, B, AB, or O) influences how your body processes different foods. Different blood types may respond better to certain proteins, grains, vegetables, and fruits. By aligning your diet with your blood type, you can potentially improve digestion, increase energy, reduce inflammation, and support your overall health. It has been a cornerstone of the transformative results our clients experience.

No. Balance Wellness Ventures provides wellness consulting and coaching services that are educational and informational in nature. We are not licensed medical professionals, and nothing we provide should be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We always recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health, diet, exercise, or supplement regimen. Our role is to support and guide you alongside your medical care, not replace it.

Our services are designed to support overall wellness and help you feel your best during midlife. While many of our clients report improvements in symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, brain fog, sleep quality, and mood, we do not diagnose or treat medical conditions. If you have a specific medical condition, we encourage you to work with your healthcare provider and let us know about any conditions or medications so we can tailor our wellness recommendations appropriately.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a framework for understanding your body's energy systems and addressing imbalances at their root. Char's approach blends TCM principles with modern wellness practices. This may include recommendations related to food energetics (warming vs. cooling foods), seasonal eating, herbal support, and understanding how different organ systems relate to specific symptoms. It is one of several tools we draw from to create a comprehensive wellness plan.

Every woman's body is different, so timelines vary. Many clients report noticing improvements in energy, sleep, and mood within the first two to four weeks of following their personalized plan. More significant changes in areas like weight management, hormonal balance, and overall vitality typically become apparent over two to three months of consistent effort. This is why we recommend our 3-month or 6-month programs for lasting transformation rather than quick fixes.

Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central Standard Time. You can reach us by phone at 1 (844) 739-3556 or by email at [email protected] during these hours. If you contact us outside of business hours, we will respond within 24 to 48 business hours.

You can schedule a consultation by completing the Wellness Intake Form on our website, contacting us by phone at 1 (844) 739-3556, or sending us a message through our Contact page or email at [email protected]. After your initial intake, we will work with you to find a convenient time for your first session.

We require at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment will be considered a no-show and will not be refunded or rescheduled. We understand that life happens, so please communicate with us as early as possible if you need to make changes to your schedule.

Clients enrolled in our ongoing support packages have direct access to guidance between scheduled sessions. You can reach us by email at [email protected] or by phone during business hours. We aim to respond to all client communications within 24 to 48 business hours.

Char Gardner is the founder of Balance Wellness Ventures, INC. At 51, she is a woman thriving in menopause while maintaining a vibrant fitness lifestyle and raising her energetic, adopted five-year-old son. Her journey blends a spiritual awakening with the realities of midlife hormonal changes, the resilience of adoptive parenting, and an unwavering commitment to health and vitality. Every method she recommends has been rigorously tested on herself first.

Char started Balance Wellness Ventures because she saw a gap that needed to be filled. Every day, 6,000 women enter menopause. Accomplished, financially stable women are dealing with hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and declining confidence while the wellness industry keeps pushing one-size-fits-all solutions. When midlife arrived with its challenges, rather than accepting generic solutions, Char decided to find her own path through traditional Chinese medicine, blood type eating protocols, natural hormone support, and holistic wellness practices. After achieving transformative results for herself and a circle of close friends and family, she created BWV to bring this personalized approach to more women.

Yes. This is one of the core principles of Balance Wellness Ventures. Every method, protocol, food plan, supplement recommendation, and wellness practice that Char recommends has been personally tested by her first. She lived it, saw the results in her own body, then shared her approach with close friends, family, and early clients who achieved the same transformative results. She will never recommend something she has not tried herself.