Jim Hangstefer
Founder, Owner
During the spring of 1978, Jim consulted a doctor after suffering dizziness and severe headaches. A large tumor was found in his brain, and he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. In the wake of this life-changing news, Jim and his wife Pat (eight months pregnant with their first child) took the time to seek guidance from God's Word. It became clear to Jim that the Lord had in store for him a long and prosperous life, so he prayerfully underwent surgery to remove the tumor from his brain. Unfortunately, while 80% of the tumor was taken out, 20% remained, and doctors sent Jim home with a 6-9 month life prognosis. Chemotherapy seemed to be Jim's only option.
With the help of Pat's parents, Jim sought a natural alternative to the toxic chemotherapy. He and Pat researched nutritional solutions to healing cancer, and began a rigorous program of organic food and herb supplements. At one point, Jim was taking 200 supplements a day! Two years later, he was cancer-free and healthier than ever before.
Pat Hangstefer
Owner Operator of NFN
After Jim’s diagnosis, Pat threw herself into learning about Herbs and how they can heal the body. She read hundreds of books on herbs and their many wonderful uses. With this knowledge, she was able to help her husband beat cancer. Once other people heard the news, Pat and Jim started getting requests to share the knowledge they had learned to help others. Pat felt a calling to provide these remedies to others and founded Nature’s Finest Nutrition as a labor of love for helping others.
After over 15 years of service, Pat continues today in the Nature’s Finest store overseeing the day to day operations. She is always available to help with advice and to share her bountiful knowledge of how herbs and supplements can change the lives of many. With many stories of success, Pat is available to help you take care of your health and help you determine what your body is saying then also how to fulfill that need.
After over 15 years of service, Pat continues today in the Nature’s Finest store overseeing the day to day operations. She is always available to help with advice and to share her bountiful knowledge of how herbs and supplements can change the lives of many. With many stories of success, Pat is available to help you take care of your health and help you determine what your body is saying then also how to fulfill that need.
One of Pat’s specialties is with herbal tea blends. She has many different blends of herbs that can support the body and different ailments. Stop in or call us and Pat would be more than happy to help answer any questions you may have about the hundreds of herbs and supplements available at Nature’s Finest Nutrition.
Emily Hangstefer
Daughter of Pat and Jim, Emily grew up immersed in how herbs and supplements can heal your body. As Emily puts it “If you give your body what it needs, it will start to heal itself. The body is its best healer”. Emily admitted growing up she would see her mom and dad with all of the herbs and did not fully understand how they worked. But once she started her successful collegiate tennis career, she took an interest in the supplements and herbs and how they can help in an athlete’s performance and in just a day-to-day application.
As a tennis athlete Emily toured Europe competing in international tennis competitions including the Deaf Olympics. At a top-level contender in her field, she had to provide her body with the ingredients needed for top performance. She and her teammates won International titles and her knowledge of supplements and herbs really helped edge the competition.
As a tennis athlete Emily toured Europe competing in international tennis competitions including the Deaf Olympics. At a top-level contender in her field, she had to provide her body with the ingredients needed for top performance. She and her teammates won International titles and her knowledge of supplements and herbs really helped edge the competition.
Once Emily graduated from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, she took a huge interest in helping out with Nature’s Finest Nutrition. She took her knowledge of supplements and herbs and expanded it to different applications as well such as Iridology. She found Iridology interesting as it can show so much about your body and it’s nourishment needs. She encouraged her father Jim to provide this service and provides Iridology services today with people traveling from thousands of miles away to take advantage of this useful resource into our bodies.
Emily helps oversee the everyday operations and the business details for Nature’s Finest Nutrition. You can ask her how you can step up your game and how to give your body what it is asking for to maximize your potential by stopping by or calling today.
Erin Hangstefer
For Erin, it’s all about the family aspect of her time at Nature’s Finest Nutrition as the daughter-in-law of Jim and Pat. Her daughter Jane is always in tow as a smiling face to greet you in the shop.
As a former educator, Erin knows the ins and outs of herbs and supplements and is more than happy to teach you how they can help.
Erin emphasizes that herbs are not a quick fix, but with the proper time and patience, they can change your quality of life. She also mentions that you also have to believe in giving your body what it needs to heal itself as it’s very psychological as well. Erin is at Nature’s Finest Nutrition part-time several days a week and is more than happy to sit down to come up with a specialized plan to help support your body’s nutrition as well as educate on the science behind these supplements and recount her firsthand experiences that she has seen. Natural is the way to go in Erin’s eyes, and she is happy to share her knowledge with all.
Erin emphasizes that herbs are not a quick fix, but with the proper time and patience, they can change your quality of life. She also mentions that you also have to believe in giving your body what it needs to heal itself as it’s very psychological as well. Erin is at Nature’s Finest Nutrition part-time several days a week and is more than happy to sit down to come up with a specialized plan to help support your body’s nutrition as well as educate on the science behind these supplements and recount her firsthand experiences that she has seen. Natural is the way to go in Erin’s eyes, and she is happy to share her knowledge with all.
Eadress Baxter
Meet Eadress, she helps serve customers around the store most afternoons and evenings. She brings a wonderful knowledge of herbs and living a natural lifestyle. With almost 10 years of experience with health supplements and herbs, Eadress can help you find the perfect plan to support your body. For Eadress being at Nature’s Finest is all about helping people. She loves to listen and understand what you are going through. As a friendly ear, she can also suggest different products that may help. She is currently on a natural plan herself with her favorite products being the NeoLife Protein Powder, Pro-Vitality, and Tulsi Leaf (Holy Basil) to name a few. Not only is she helpful, but she also knows what is in each product and how they can help support your health.
Laurie McGinley
I have been really curious about natural healing as well as living a healthy lifestyle for several years now. It’s been quite overwhelming to get the answers I need when trying to go “the natural route”, because in our society it’s easiest and typical to just want to go the quick route. That is why I am truly blessed to be able to call Nature’s Finest Nutrition my second home and to be around like-minded people! I never feel like I’m coming to work, because I am the one getting to learn new things every day that I’m passionate about. One of the many things I really enjoy researching are all the ingredients that are in our Nature’s Sunshine & NeoLife selections and how those things impact our bodies in such an optimal way. It’s quite amazing, yet not surprising, how God has so graciously given us so many things to help care for and heal our bodies!
It is truly a blessing to be able to be a support for people who are seeking a healthy alternative and may be in the same scenario as me before I started working at Nature’s Finest Nutrition and had trouble finding answers!
Mel Garcia
Meet Mel - she is our incredible bilingual employee who speaks fluent Spanish and English.
California girl meets Chattanooga! Moving to Chattanooga two and a half years ago has been the best decisions she made in her lifetime. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature helps her start each day on a positive note. Some days you’ll catch her relaxing in my hammock or going on a hike. Nature is her therapy.
She loves helping customers get started in their healthy life journey. Catch her from 2-6 pm on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Call, click or stop by today!
Disclaimer:
We do not directly or indirectly give medical advice or prescribe alternative treatment. We recommend that people contact their doctor if they need a medical diagnosis. We assume no responsibility if anyone decides to use the information provided here to prescribe a treatment program for themselves. Healing is sometimes a slow process, and we suggest that you do not stop taking any medications or alter any existing health protocols you have in place without the guidance of a licensed doctor.