“We’re not just treating symptoms—we’re restoring a sense of agency. Every woman deserves to feel seen, heard, and whole.” — Julie Mai
In a country where women’s health remains chronically underfunded and often misunderstood, one clinician is taking a proactive step to change that—beginning with one of the most misdiagnosed and mistreated conditions in the field: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
At just 28 years old, Toronto-based registered dietitian Julie Mai is not only reimagining PCOS care—she is building an entire movement around it. Drawing from both her rigorous clinical training and her own lived experience with PCOS and ADHD, Julie is addressing a critical gap in healthcare. For too long, those living with PCOS have received limited guidance, often focused solely on weight management, which overlooks the disorder’s deep psychological and physiological impact. Julie knows this firsthand from her own journey and her work across hospital wards, endocrinology clinics, and eating disorder programs.
Determined to bridge the divide between clinical knowledge and real-world experience, Julie founded July Health, one of Canada’s first virtual care platforms focused exclusively on PCOS. The startup is operational in three provinces and three territories, with plans to expand nationwide. But July Health is not just another telehealth provider. It offers a transformative new model for care that centers on integrative, neurofriendly treatment. The platform provides collaborative care that takes into account the intersections between hormonal health, mental health, and personal identity.
The focus on “neurofriendly” care is a key differentiator. Many of July Health’s clients live with overlapping conditions like ADHD, binge eating disorder, or trauma histories, which often go unrecognized in traditional care settings. By pairing registered dietitians with licensed social workers, July Health delivers support that is not only evidence-based but also psychologically attuned, trauma-informed, and deeply empathetic. The goal is not merely symptom management, but a holistic approach that empowers individuals who have long felt unseen within the healthcare system.
This work is urgently needed, as underscored by troubling statistics. A 2022 Canadian study found that nearly two-thirds of women with PCOS were dissatisfied with the information they received at diagnosis. More than half received no support for lifestyle management, and nearly 60% received no emotional care. These findings highlight a systemic issue that Julie is actively working to address.
A Movement Rooted in Advocacy, Community, and Change
Recognition for her efforts has come quickly. July Health recently graduated from the League of Innovators, Canada’s largest accelerator for entrepreneurs under 30. The startup placed third overall and won the audience vote on demo day, a testament to the platform’s effectiveness and emotional resonance. Julie is also a top 10 finalist at the Google/Startup Canada pitch competition, signaling growing national interest in her vision for a more equitable healthcare system.
Yet accolades are not the driving force behind Julie’s work. What motivates her is the desire to ensure no woman with PCOS ever feels like an afterthought. Her approach resonates with a generation that refuses to be defined by outdated health narratives. Gen Z, in particular, is reshaping the conversation around wellness by rejecting toxic diet culture and demanding a more holistic view of health. Julie is helping to lead this shift.
At the heart of her approach is community. July Health cultivates intimate relationships between practitioners and clients, supported by a grassroots ecosystem of shared experiences. Through curated group chats, social media engagement, and in-person wellness events, the platform fosters a sense of belonging. Julie also leads a wellness collective of over 90 women in Toronto, organizing events such as sauna sessions, group dinners, and cold plunges to promote both physical health and meaningful social connection.
Julie is also using her platform to advocate for change within the medical establishment itself. She is outspoken about the gaps in professional training regarding the psychosocial dimensions of PCOS. She emphasizes the importance of compassionate care that goes beyond the “calories in, calories out” approach, calling for a new standard of care—one that is interdisciplinary, compassionate, and responsive to the full complexity of the human experience.
The results are already transformative. Clients describe their experiences with July Health as life-changing—finally feeling seen and supported throughout their healthcare journeys. One client shared that their time with the platform was “the first safe place” they’d found in their entire healthcare experience. These stories point to a broader truth: what Julie is building is not just a platform; it’s a cultural shift.
Looking ahead, Julie envisions expanding the ecosystem of support further. Plans are underway to integrate psychotherapy and nurse practitioners into July Health’s care model, strengthening the platform’s ability to provide comprehensive, wraparound services. With the rise of femtech and growing demand for mental health-first care, the platform is well-positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in women’s health.
Julie is doing more than offering a new approach to treating PCOS. She is challenging the very framework of a healthcare system that has not kept up with women’s needs. Through July Health, Julie is working to dismantle stigma, restore dignity, and redefine what it means to provide care with integrity.
In Julie’s world, women are not just patients—they are participants in a reimagined future, one that listens, empowers, and heals. Through July Health, Julie is showing Canada and the world what’s possible when care is not transactional but transformational. You can reach Julie at he***@********th.com
