A Journey of Resilience: Katrina Krenz's Path to Wellness

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

Katrina's wellness journey began with an unexpected challenge. At 21, eight months pregnant, and just starting her adult life, Katrina was diagnosed with a form of stage 4 lymphoma. Initially mistaking her symptoms for pregnancy-related discomfort, she soon learned the seriousness of her condition when her doctor found a large mass in her chest. “I couldn’t breathe, I had hives everywhere. I thought it was just pregnancy, but it turned out to be something much more,” Katrina recalls.

An emergency C-section brought her first daughter, Quinn, safely into the world. Days later, Katrina began nine months of intense chemotherapy. There were multiple complications: infections, brittle bones and hair loss. With support from family—including her now-husband, Jeremy—friends and her healthcare team, Katrina faced these challenges head-on, learning the importance of traditional medicine and community. “My survival mode kicked in,” she says. “Getting well was my only option.”

A New Path in Health and Wellness

Katrina’s recovery sparked a shift in her perspective. “I’d never thought much about what I put into my body before cancer,” she explains. Determined to give back and help others, she altered her educational path in communications and PR to explore options in health and wellness. She found a master’s program in Health and Wellness Management at the University of Wisconsin. “I knew I wanted to be in this field, even if I didn’t yet know how I’d use the degree,” she says.

While pursuing her degree, Katrina and Jeremy’s second baby, Karlee, was born. “She was another miracle baby,” Katrina shares. “We were told I probably wouldn’t have any more children due to my treatments. Karlee was a sign of health and recovery to me.”

After graduation, Katrina joined Elevé MedSpa in 2021 as the Wellness Coordinator. She was instrumental in launching the Vitality Program. “It felt like divine timing,” she shares. “They hadn’t launched the program yet, and I became the missing piece.” 

Through Elevé’s functional medicine and longevity program, Katrina now guides patients on personalized wellness journeys.

Building a Lifestyle for Long-Term Health

For Katrina, health isn’t about short-term fixes but sustainable lifestyle changes. Having battled and survived a serious illness, she became focused on creating a routine that supported her well-being. This includes daily habits and small shifts that make a big impact on her energy and outlook.

“Exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management and supplementation—each of these pillars of health is vital,” Katrina explains. Using tools like the Oura Ring to track sleep quality, she’s learned to prioritize rest by setting routines: consistent sleep and wake times, no late-night meals and avoiding alcohol, which disrupts her rest. She’s also embraced the importance of muscle health, something she learned from the DEXA Scan. “Building muscle isn’t just for strength—it helps with blood sugar regulation and hormone balance,” she notes.

For nutrition, Katrina has shifted her focus from dieting to nourishing her body with whole foods and enough protein to build and maintain muscle. “Knowing my body composition, not just my weight, helps me steer away from the diet culture mindset and focus on long-term health.”

She also sees Dr. Yasmin, OB-GYN and Elevé MedSpa’s female hormone support partner. Dr. Yasmin helps Katrina understand the effects chemo has had on her body, allowing her to make meaningful changes. 

Katrina finds additional support for her well-being through mindfulness, being present, nature, deep breathing, guided meditation and sauna.

Encouragement for Others 

Katrina’s role at Elevé MedSpa allows her to empower others to focus on wellness goals that work for them. It’s less about controlling outcomes and more about goals, actions and personalized treatments. “Not every patient comes in for the same reasons, and that’s okay,” she says. “The most important thing is finding a ‘why’ that’s meaningful to you.”

For some, a wellness journey begins after a health scare. For others, it’s a desire to feel their best. Katrina believes that achieving optimal health can be the most valuable investment people make. “Your goals and dreams depend on your health—without it, everything else becomes much harder to achieve.” 

As a survivor, wife and mother, Katrina continues to embrace each day with resilience. Her journey from surviving cancer to thriving as a wellness advocate is a testament to the power of taking control of one’s health. Through the Elevé Vitality Program, Katrina offers hope and expertise that resonates with her patients.