Introducing to the Chicago North Shore Moms community a Highland Park mom and female founder in the health and wellness space, Betsy Scher! Betsy’s journey into health and wellness wasn’t just a career choice, it was a calling born from one of the most vulnerable moments of her life. After being diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a rare genetic condition affecting her lungs and liver, Betsy made a powerful decision: instead of living in fear, she would educate herself, embrace her new normal, and show up as the best version of herself for her son. That commitment to intentional, whole-person wellness became the foundation of Glow & Gather, her health coaching practice where she guides busy moms and families toward sustainable habits through pantry refreshes, curated health coaching and her beloved community Gathers (more on those events later). Betsy’s story is one of resilience, heart, and the belief that small, meaningful steps can truly make a big impact. We cannot wait for you to get to know her – welcome, Betsy!
Hi Betsy. Introduce yourself. Where are you originally from?
Hello everyone! I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio, the Buckeye State. And let’s be clear, you can’t be from Ohio and not be an Ohio State fan. Go Buckeyes!
I now live in Highland Park, IL, and moved here in 2014. It’s such a beautiful community. I first came to Chicago from Columbus in 2008 to work at a salon called Mon Ami Coiffure, where I was trained by the best. Fun fact: the salon owner used to bring me to Highland Park twice a week to work and now I live here! At the time, I was living in Ukrainian Village near Bucktown, which is where I met my husband. He’s originally from Highland Park, so life truly came full circle.
Tell us about your children and brag away…..
I could brag about my son for days. He is such a special boy and truly feels meant to be part of this world. He’s kind, sweet, emotionally intelligent, and an old soul at heart. He’s in third grade and has made some wonderful friends. He plays soccer, fall baseball, and winter flag football; he loves all things sports. He’s also an excellent sports commentator in the making… we’ll see where that leads! He enjoys filming, editing, and anything tech-related (for better or worse!). And he has loved croissants since he was three or four; he had me at “bonjour.” One of my goals is to learn how to make homemade croissants, but for now, he has his favorite spots around town.
We also have a wonderful Portuguese Water Dog named Lionel Messi. I joke that I’m his emotional support human, he’s the sweetest, he just doesn’t love being alone!
Photo credit: Brandon Birdi Photography
What are one or two fun or interesting things to know about you?
One fun thing about me is that I’m one of seven; I’m the second oldest. Growing up in a big family definitely shaped who I am.
Another fun fact: I did Lori Greiner’s hair for her first audition to be on Shark Tank, which is such a cool full-circle moment to look back on.
And on a more everyday note, two of my favorite hobbies are organizing my house and labeling just about anything I can. I also love creating recipes that feel indulgent but use healthier ingredients, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out. For me, it’s about feeling empowered and joyful in what I’m eating.
Photo credit: Brandon Birdi Photography
What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and to eat frequently with family…
I love starting with wellness. I enjoy going to Raden Wellness — it’s become one of my go-to places to support my overall health. I appreciate the variety of IV options they offer, and the staff is always so knowledgeable and kind. I also love Sole & Luna when I need to truly unwind and reset. From sauna and sound bed sessions to acupuncture, massage, and breathwork classes, it’s all in one beautiful space with fantastic people. It’s such a calming environment and one of my favorite ways to recharge.
For coffee, Newport Coffee House in Bannockburn is my favorite (they also have a location in Evanston). It’s my perfect little recharge spot. And if you love tea and want to explore all the benefits different blends have to offer, I love visiting Love That Spice (downtown HP) so many beautiful teas with wonderful healing properties.
For date nights, my husband and I love Froggy’s French Café and Frankie & Betsie’s (I also might be slightly biased because of the name!) both have such a romantic calm vibe. For a breakfast date, we love Elawa Farms and Green Bay Cafe. And for family dinners, Washington Gardens is always our favorite.
To hang out as a family, we love walking around Elawa Farm — the market is beautiful, and the goats are the sweetest (on special days you can even hug and pet them). We’re also huge fans of the Chicago Botanic Garden. From the model trains to the live music, the Japanese gardens, and riding the tram, it always feels like such a special outing. The food is fresh, too, which I always appreciate.
And for a little adventure, we love taking Amtrak up to the Milwaukee Public Market for a fun field trip and lunch at the fish market.
Any good reads or tv shows?
I’m currently reading Weightless: A Doctor’s Guide to GLP-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve, which was recommended to me by a nurse practitioner from Raden Wellness. I want to better understand GLP-1 medications and simply educate myself around them.
As far as tv shows, The last show I binged was Bridgerton. I loved the fashion and all the beautiful details — the styling was so inspiring.
My husband and I started watching Shrinking. I love how Jason Segel’s character brings his patients into real-life scenarios, and the friendships in the show are just as meaningful as the therapy. Great one if you haven’t watched.
Your Mantra?
“Keep it Fresh”
For me, that means staying open to growth, continuing to learn, and creating space to meet new people.
Congratulations! It’s time to get down to business? Tell us about Glow & Gather.
Thank you so much! I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring Glow & Gather to life. This vision has been on my heart for several years, it’s gone through different names and evolutions, but Glow & Gather was always meant to be. Everything aligned when the name truly captured what it means to me and the heart behind why I created it.
Glow and Gather is a wellness and health coaching space along with Gathers, curated community events. With Glow & Gather I offer virtual and in person sessions in nutrition and lifestyle education, personalized wellness planning and whole person approach. With Gathers I collaborate with other businesses (hope to always work with someone in the community, when I can) where we explore beauty, cooking, creativity, conversation and meaningful rituals.
Photo credit: Brandon Birdi Photography
How did your diagnosis with the genetic condition, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin impact your life and ultimately your decision to start this wellness community?
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition that can cause damage to the lungs and/or the liver. There is no cure for Alpha-1 but some symptoms can be managed. My Genotype is ZZ where my lungs and liver can be affected. I am so grateful that they were able to diagnose me fairly quickly and I am mostly lung affected. I receive an infusion each week to help manage my symptoms.
“The biggest way Alpha-1 has changed me as a mother is in the choices I make. I honestly didn’t know if motherhood would be part of my story, and then it was. It is everything to me. I had always considered myself healthy, but when I was diagnosed with Alpha-1, something shifted in me. My son was only three or four years old at the time, and I was scared.
Instead of staying in that fear, I began educating myself — about the diagnosis, about nutrition, about lifestyle, about everything that could support my health.
Instead of staying in that fear, I began educating myself — about the diagnosis, about nutrition, about lifestyle, about everything that could support my health. I realized this was my new normal, and I made a decision at that moment: I was going to do everything I could to show up as the best version of myself for my son. I chose to embrace this new journey rather than resist it. This became a new chapter for me.
Photo credit: Brandon Birdi Photography
Alpha-1 has truly changed my life. It led me to dive deeper into nutrition, sleep, functional medicine, and daily rituals that help me feel more steady and supported. I’ve become much more intentional about how I manage my energy and how I show up in the world. It has also strengthened my commitment to advocacy and community in ways I never could have imagined. I am proudly part of the Fred C. Walsh Speakers Bureau where I get to educate and share my experiences and offer insight into what it means to live with Alpha-1.
What certifications come with being a health and wellness coach?
I received my health coaching certification from Nutritious Life Studio in New York, NY, and I’m also certified through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). In addition, I hold my Ohio State School of Cosmetology license, which is where the ‘Glow’ in Glow & Gather comes from. I’ve always loved all things beauty, and for me, wellness is both inner nourishment and outer confidence (Glow represents that balance).
Glow & Gather is all about creating lasting change. To busy moms, any prospect of change can feel super overwhelming and paralyzing. How do you help them move through this?
A small, simple step I recommend for busy moms who want to start prioritizing their health is to treat meals like a ritual. The same way you would get a massage, a facial, or a workout. Instead of eating on the go, take the time to sit down and truly nourish yourself. Have breakfast with your kids before school, meet a friend for lunch, or even just pause and enjoy a quiet lunch at home.
I know I’ve fallen into the habit of standing and eating while running from one thing to the next, but I always feel so much better when I slow down, fuel myself intentionally, and actually savor my food. Most of us know what to eat, it’s about giving ourselves the time and permission to do it.
Photo credit: Brandon Birdi Photography
Advice time! Do you offer ways to easily prep and feed family quickly?
My free guide, Easy Staples to help you thrive, is a quick resource designed to help you build a healthier pantry with simple swaps and everyday essentials. It includes easy sauce ideas, better-for-you grain options from quinoa and rice to healthier ramen and snack ideas for kids, from chips to applesauce, that you can feel good about packing in their lunches. Having these nourishing staples in place makes it easier to whip up a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner without sacrificing your health.
This philosophy is also what inspired me to create the Five & Flourish series on my Instagram where I show you how to prepare simple, nourishing meals using five ingredients or less. I also offer a Pantry Refresh as one of my offers in helping families create a more intentional kitchen space with accessible, wholesome options. I often recommend shopping through Thrive Market because they make it easy to shop by lifestyle preferences, and I love that every paid membership sponsors a free one for someone in need, including low-income families, teachers, nurses, and veterans. As a bonus, they also carry clean beauty products — because wellness isn’t just about what we eat, it’s about supporting that glow from the inside out.
Photo credit: Brandon Birdi Photography
Tell us about your events through your platform Gathers!
It was a very busy fall and winter for Glow & Gather! In September, we hosted a Sourdough Bread Making class with The Vegan Chunky Scone, which was such a fun and hands-on experience. In November, we held a beautiful Sound Bath with Kristin Vets, followed by a Galentine’s Wellness event with Dance Sculpt in February. Most recently, we hosted a Gather Strength class in collaboration with Movement First.
Looking ahead to spring, I’m currently planning a special Mother’s Day Gather. I don’t have all the details finalized just yet, but I’m excited to share more soon. It’s going to be a fun and meaningful one.
The Gathers truly bring me so much joy. I’ve met some incredible people in the community, and I’m so grateful for the connections that continue to grow. I’m really looking forward to many more.
What is the process like to work with you?
As your coach, I’m here to listen closely, ask better questions, and help you see the strengths you may have overlooked in yourself. We work together to create sustainable practices around food, movement, mindfulness, or rest, that feel doable, and not draining.
For a lot of my clients, that includes a personalized meal plan designed to make healthy eating simple and flexible enough to fit into real life and if something you need falls outside my scope, you won’t be left to figure it out alone.
Through Glow & Gather, I stay connected with a community of practitioners, people I trust and collaborate with. If there’s someone who can support your next step, I’ll connect you.
This is a partnership. You bring your lived experience, I bring guidance and together, we figure out what wellness really looks like for you. I’m excited to be in your corner.
Photo credit: Brandon Birdi Photography
What else would you like us to know about Glow & Gather?
I offer a Wellness Warm up chat, it’s a complimentary 20 min conversation to explore what wellness coaching could look like for you.
As I mentioned before I love all things beauty, I offer a Beauty Clean up to take a closer look at the products you use everyday, skin care, makeup, nails and explore where small thoughtful swaps can support your wellness goals.
And how do we connect with you?
You can stay in touch with Glow & Gather on Substack, Instagram and my website!
About Our Spotlight Partner
Chicago North Shore Moms is supported in part by Mary Gregory Gifford, a Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
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