What happens when a personal struggle becomes the catalyst for change? For Julie Mai, a 28-year-old registered dietitian based in Toronto, that struggle has inspired a movement to improve the care and understanding of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Canada. Julie is not just offering an alternative to traditional care; she is reimagining the healthcare framework for those living with PCOS.
“Living with PCOS and ADHD made me realize the limitations within the healthcare system,” Julie explains. “Too often, women receive generalized advice and are left to manage their symptoms without proper support. That’s not effective care; that’s an opportunity missed.”
From Lived Experience to Leadership
Julie’s career has been shaped by both personal experience and clinical expertise. Living with both PCOS and ADHD, she understands the emotional toll of a healthcare system that sometimes overlooks complex hormonal disorders. Many women are given weight-centric advice and left to navigate debilitating symptoms without adequate support.
Julie’s response to this was the creation of July Health, a virtual care platform dedicated to supporting individuals with PCOS, particularly those also managing ADHD, executive dysfunction, or disordered eating.
Julie has refined her clinical practice over the past five years, gaining experience in hospital wards, endocrinology clinics, and eating disorder programs. Through July Health, she is making an impact. Now operational across three provinces and three territories, and with plans for national expansion, the platform provides an integrative, neuro-friendly model of care that challenges the limitations of traditional PCOS treatment.
“Care should feel like someone truly understands you, not just a checklist,” says Julie. “That’s the vision we’re building at July Health.”
This model is not just theoretical; it has already shown measurable, positive results. July Healthcombines the expertise of registered dietitians, licensed social workers, and other professionals to offer holistic, personalized support.
A 2022 Canadian study found that nearly 66% of women with PCOS were dissatisfied with the information they received at diagnosis, with over half reporting they got no support for lifestyle management. Nearly 59% received no emotional care. These statistics highlight a systemic gap in care that Julie aims to close.
“These numbers reflect the real struggles women face every day,” Julie shares. “I’m committed to changing that.”
Julie’s work has received attention in the innovation space. July Healthrecently graduated from the League of Innovators, Canada’s largest accelerator for entrepreneurs under 30. The startup placed third in its cohort and won the audience vote at its demo day. Julie is also a top 10 finalist at the Google/Startup Canada pitch competition, underscoring the growing recognition of her work in Canada’s health-tech sector.
However, Julie’s vision extends beyond accolades. She envisions a healthcare experience where women are not just treated—they are listened to, understood, and empowered.
Building a Community-Centered Approach
Through grassroots community-building, Julie has cultivated a support network that complements clinical care. From wellness events to group chats and educational outreach, she is creating an ecosystem where patients feel connected and supported in their healing journey.
“We don’t just want to be a clinic,” Julie says. “We want to create a community where healing is shared.”
Julie’s approach resonates with Gen Z, a demographic that emphasizes mental health, rejects toxic diet culture, and advocates for holistic healing. Julie’s work aligns with these values, offering a model that sees the whole person, not just their physical symptoms.
Her advocacy extends beyond patients to her own profession. Julie has called attention to the lack of adequate training among healthcare providers in addressing the psychosocial dimensions of PCOS.
“The outdated ‘calories in, calories out’ approach isn’t just ineffective—it’s harmful,” she says. “We need a model that views the whole person.”
Julie advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous education that connects the dots between nutrition, psychology, trauma, and hormonal health. Her goal is to evolve healthcare from fragmented, siloed care to fully integrated support.
One client navigating PCOS, ADHD, and a history of disordered eating described July Healthas the first place where she felt truly safe—not shamed, not reduced to a number, but seen as a whole person. The changes she experienced weren’t just physical but emotional and psychological, reflecting the deeper healing that July Healthfosters.
Looking forward, Julie sees vast potential in the intersection of femtech, telehealth, and community-centered care. July Healthis expanding to include psychotherapy and collaborative models involving nurse practitioners, offering even more comprehensive support.
This growth is driven by Julie’s deep commitment to serving a population that has often been overlooked in traditional healthcare settings.
In addition to her clinical work, Julie nurtures a collective of over 90 women in Toronto. This group, united by shared interests in health and healing, regularly hosts events to foster connection and combat isolation.
“In healthcare, connection is often the missing piece,” Julie reflects. “When people feel like they belong, everything else starts to fall into place.”
Julie Mai is more than just a disruptor; she’s building a new paradigm for healthcare. Through July Health, she is reimagining how PCOS is treated, how patients are viewed, and how care is delivered. Her work is laying the foundation for a healthcare future that is compassionate, inclusive, and attuned to the needs of real people.
In advancing PCOS care in Canada, Julie is doing more than leading a startup—she’s leading a movement that insists on dignity, nuance, and a healthcare system that listens.
To learn more about July Healthand its approach to PCOS care, visithttps://julyhealth.com/and send email to [email protected]
