By Misty Cottrell, Owner & Practitioner
My motivation to start MC Wellness & Aesthetics came from a very real place in my career. I spent many years working within traditional healthcare, much of that time caring for patients with complex, chronic conditions. That work was meaningful and important – but it was also constrained. Visits were short, priorities were often reactive, and there was limited opportunity to slow down, ask deeper questions, or focus on prevention and long-term well-being.
There are so many excellent clinicians doing their very best within systems that simply don’t allow for time. What I found increasingly difficult was the inability to sit with patients, listen fully, educate them, and support them through nuanced changes – especially when symptoms didn’t fit neatly into a checklist or lab range.
Fifteen-minute appointments are rarely enough to understand the full picture, particularly when it comes to hormonal shifts, metabolism, mental health, and major life transitions. Over time, I realized I wanted to work in a setting where conversations didn’t feel rushed and where patients felt comfortable asking questions, reflecting, and participating actively in their care.
I also wanted more control over my professional life. After decades in healthcare, it became increasingly important to choose how I spent my days and how I showed up for others. As I’ve gotten older, loving what I do again matters deeply – feeling energized, and proud of the care I’m providing.
The Importance of NAMS Certification
Becoming a certified practitioner through the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) was very intentional. I found myself holding a special place in my heart for the many women who looked and felt just like me – exhausted, frustrated, and confused by what was happening to their bodies. They weren’t imagining their symptoms. They weren’t “crazy.” They were simply going through a complex and under-recognized transition and desperately needed someone to say “I hear you.” This is real. And there is help.
NAMS is considered the gold standard in menopause education and has played a critical role in changing the conversation around perimenopause and menopause – a stage of life that affects every system in a woman’s body yet is often under-taught in medical training. I was personally drawn to NAMS during my own perimenopausal journey, when I struggled with symptoms despite “normal” lab results. That experience highlighted how important specialized, evidence-based education truly is. NAMS certification provides comprehensive training in hormone therapy, non-hormonal options, cardiovascular and bone health, mental health, sexual health, and long-term disease prevention, along with ongoing education requirements.
MC Wellness & Aesthetics – Areas of Focus
Women’s Health
Many women are told to “push through” midlife changes or are offered quick solutions without clear explanations. Even modest changes in weight, sleep, or energy can significantly affect how someone feels day to day. Perimenopause and menopause can be especially discouraging when women feel they are doing everything “right” and still not seeing results.
Hormonal changes are complex and often require a period of adjustment – especially for those who are new to hormone therapy. Effective care takes time, including careful listening, symptom tracking, and thoughtful dose adjustments as the body responds. MC Wellness & Aesthetics was created to support this ongoing, collaborative process, rather than a quick fix followed by long gaps between visits.
Men’s Health
Men often come in with concerns about energy, focus, mood, or body composition and wonder whether these changes are simply part of aging. My role is to help sort through that thoughtfully. Testosterone optimization may be part of care, but it’s never the whole picture. Sleep, stress, cardiovascular health, and lifestyle factors all matter. Education is straightforward, plans are individualized, and care is never one-size-fits-all.
Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Services
Aesthetics at MC Wellness & Aesthetics are meant to complement overall wellness. Treatments are conservative, personalized, and focused on helping patients look refreshed and confident – never overdone. Aesthetic care is viewed as an extension of self-care, not a replacement for it.
Mental & Emotional Wellness
Hormonal shifts can significantly affect mood, anxiety, focus, and sleep, yet these symptoms are often overlooked or minimized. When appropriate, mental and emotional wellness are thoughtfully integrated into care, recognizing how closely connected these systems truly are.
Why MC Wellness & Aesthetics
Cash-pay, concierge-level care allows me to offer an approach that many people haven’t experienced before. I don’t rush visits, and I don’t treat symptoms in isolation. I take time to listen, explain, and connect the dots – especially when it comes to hormones and midlife changes that are often misunderstood or minimized. Many patients come to me after being told everything is “normal” even though they don’t feel normal. I help make sense of that. I genuinely love this work. When my patients start to feel better physically, they finally have the energy and motivation to make lifestyle changes that previously felt impossible. Movement becomes easier. Sleep improves. Nutrition feels more manageable. Progress finally feels attainable.
MC Wellness & Aesthetics
102 S Campbell Station Road, Suite 26
Farragut, TN 37934
MCWellnessandAesthetics.com
By appointment only • Schedule online