Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakob Schmidt.
Hi Jakob, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In middle school, I had a friend whose father was a brain surgeon. They were able to travel frequently, easily support their family financially, and could literally say his work was brain surgery. Testing the waters with a simple anatomy and physiology class, the intrigue and draw of human health science gripped me. As I matured and time passed, the idea of being a rich, prideful, top-dog surgeon fell away and my love for serving people through relationship moved from sprout to sapling. Upon entering college starting at Portland Community College, of which I am so grateful for the people & professors that invest into students there, my sight was still set on western medicine. It had moved from surgeon to general doctor as I loved the idea of being in that trusted role aiding people with their whole health.
Then came natural medicine. At first, I thought it was basically “eat a fruit, do some yoga, burn some incense.” That was great, but I wanted to do real medicine. As a science major in biology, we’re trained to utilize objectiveness as much as possible. In that light, I investigated natural medicine. Story after story from many patients who’d had their life changed by natural medicine moved me as I also learned the holistic, root cause, and health focused approach of naturopathy.
And so, after having taken the MCAT and getting ready to apply to OHSU, I pivoted and applied to the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland where I gained the fundamentals of natural medicine and it’s approach to health. What I tell patients now is that natural medicine and western medicine are agains each other, they each have their place. Western medicine focuses on keeping you alive whereas natural medicine aims to keep you healthy.
After completing medical school & a year of residency in naturopathic primary care, I went on to learn specialties in regenerative medicine & chronic infections. After 2 and a half years in a mentorship, I stepped out on my own here in Newberg in 2025. My goal is to serve the local community with holistic health including regenerative medicine to optimize peoples’ quality of life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
“Nothing worth having comes easy.” This is time-tested wisdom that’s been known long before Teddy Roosevelt famously made this statement. Good things in life always come with a challenge, suffering, or the like. That’s part of what makes them so good.
I was terrified to start a practice on my own. I’m not naturally entrepreneurial; I’m a relationally driven person. This made even the little things of starting a business feel more daunting. I even asked God “could I just get a W-2 position somewhere?” I felt His blessing over whatever route I chose, including a W-2, but I also sensed His voice in my spirit saying “but I have more for you, do you want it?” How could I say no? The God of the universe that Loves me deeply and has proven His faithfulness is inviting me into more through opening a business?
So I jumped in. It was scary. Many little aspects of running a business – projecting accounting, registrations, taxes, legal compliances, etc. – felt overwhelming to me. Put me through rigorous medical schooling and I’ll manage. I may struggle, but I’m up for the challenge. Put a complicated patient in front of me that has medical trauma from the medical system, and I’m honored to be a part of their care. But ask me to market my business on social media daily and I procrastinate.
I also started my business soon after a divorce that I didn’t want and losing a house we bought only 9 months prior. C’est la vie, no? Not the best time to start a practice, but it was what God was inviting me into. Aside from His presence in my life, the most important thing I’ve had has been a loving and consistent community of friends and family. They have supported me, helped me heal, helped me navigate running business, hosted me, lifted me, been a healthful mirror to me, and have ultimately loved me.
My life now is the evidence of God’s goodness and a solid community. Being driven by who I am, my work flows out of my identity. Each struggle, big or small, has made me more gentle and tender to people. Each patient is a person with a story. My story aids me in seeing them fully and serving them well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My passion is people and their health serving them to live life to the full. I’m inspired by Psalms 1v3 ““That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruits in season whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.” I see health as a journey and process rather than a specific endpoint I work with patient to optimize health and uncover root causes of the things that hinder quality life and healing. My main tools are regenerative, natural, holistic, and scientific.
The specialties I’ve been blessed to addresses are injuries (new and old), pain (i.e. low back pain, osteoarthritis, knee pain, etc.), fatigue, acute & chronic infections (Lyme, EBV, mold, etc.), hormone optimization, GI dysfunction, immune health, neurological disorders and damage, urinary dysfunction, cancers, lung and heart health, and mental health.
My approach with regenerative medicine allows me to heal many body aches and pains with natural means helping patients to avoid surgeries and medications. For example, most patients experience a 70-100% improvement in their pain after 3 treatments. No surgery, no medications.
His goal with his patients is life to the full, not just the management of symptoms.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Get a mentor who’s kind and insightful but also very willing to ask hard questions and fully evaluate your process. Be vulnerable with them, honest with your plans. It’s ok that you don’t have it all figured out, but let someone in to allow you to grow into the business you’re dreaming of
Take many others out to lunch or dinner to learn from them. No one business is the same as yours. Take each person’s advice with a grain of salt, they have their own experience. You’ll also gain relationships and network well by taking people out to lunch to connect.
Hold your plans somewhat loosely. Your dream is going to change, and that’s just fine. It’s not about giving up but about being adaptable.
Pricing:
- Initial 15 min phone consult – Free
- First full hour office visit – $299
- 30min Follow-ups – $150
- All other treatments/labs depend on what’s specifically done
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.valleyholistichealth.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579005906860
