Jennifer Todryk, known for her high-energy approach to home remodeling on HGTV's "No Demo Reno," has captivated audiences with her design skills and relatable personality. Beyond her television success, Todryk's journey encompasses her roles as a blogger, influencer, business owner (Armor Coffee Co. and Armor Brewery Co. with her husband, Mike), and mother of three. She openly shares her experiences with design work, family life, and managing Hashimoto's disease, making her a relatable figure for many.
Early Challenges and Discoveries
In March 2012, Todryk experienced the heartbreak of a miscarriage at nearly 12 weeks of pregnancy. Seeking answers, she recognized the potential role of hormonal imbalances and consulted with her OB-GYN. Dissatisfied with the initial response, she switched doctors and discovered low progesterone levels. Her new doctor explained that low progesterone levels are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. With progesterone pills, she was able to carry her next pregnancy to term.
Navigating Hashimoto's Disease
In 2014, Todryk was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, following in her mother's footsteps. Later, in 2017, further testing revealed that her hypothyroidism was a result of Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the thyroid.
Managing Hashimoto's has been an ongoing process. Todryk shared that she started getting testosterone shots to help combat the fatigue. She also emphasized the importance of rest and stress management.
“When I have flares, the fatigue can be so bad that I've even fallen asleep sitting up," Todryk said. "I've learned there are days when I have to be honest and say, 'I can't do this today.’”
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Dietary Changes and Hormone Support
Todryk also decided to make some changes to her diet. She experimented with eliminating gluten and dairy, noting some improvement in her symptoms, and her diet today is about 70% dairy-free and 40% gluten-free.
“I constantly came up short in my search for products that supported my hormones. Beam's incredibly high standards and quality always spoke to me-which is why I pitched the founders my vision. Co-creating Glow-a daily supplement with a unique, hormone-supportive ingredient stack-has been incredible for my health journey. I'm so excited for it to become part of yours too!"
Balancing Work and Family
Todryk emphasizes the importance of maintaining a good work-life balance, setting boundaries to ensure she can be present for her family. Despite her busy schedule, she makes time for activities she enjoys, such as binge-watching television series with her husband.
“It’s a choice every single day to maintain a good work-life balance. If I say I’m going to be home from filming at 4:30, then I need to stick to that. It’s hard and it’s a mind cluster all the time, because it eats at you and it brings up a lot of different emotions. The new phase I’m in right now is about fun-life balance, just slowing down and seeing what I’m doing. It’s like self-help, but I’m not a spa or massage girlie. I don’t get my nails done and I only get a haircut once a year."
Openness and Advocacy
Todryk's openness about her health struggles has resonated with many, particularly women who may be experiencing similar issues. She receives messages from fans who appreciate her candor and find inspiration in her ability to manage her condition while pursuing her career and raising a family.
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“I get a lot of messages saying, ‘If you can do this, I can do this too. Thank you for saying you had a bad day or that you’re tired,’” Todryk said. “One woman wrote to me saying she thought she had depression when it turned out to be severe hypothyroidism.”
She advocates for women to undergo annual hormone testing, believing that many hormonal issues are misdiagnosed as depression.
From Blogger to HGTV Star
Todryk's journey to HGTV stardom began with her blog, "The Rambling Redhead," and her presence on Instagram. Her unique approach to home renovation, focusing on transformations without total demolition, caught the attention of a production company, leading to the creation of "No Demo Reno."
“A production company found me when I was on my home renovating journey, and they were like, “Would you want to do this and help other people?” And I was like, “Heck yeah!"
Dealing with Criticism
With her growing fame, Todryk has also faced online criticism. She acknowledges that HGTV fans can be "ruthless" and "mean," but she has learned to focus on the positive and tune out the negativity. Her experience as a blogger and influencer prepared her for the scrutiny that comes with being a television personality.
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Recent Losses
Jenn Todryk spent two years mourning the deaths of loved ones. She lost her grandfather in April 2022, only to find herself grieving again in December 2023 when her grandmother died.
Todryk's grandma died in her sleep just days shy of her 90th birthday. "How many people do you know you can say they died peacefully in their sleep anymore? … I personally have a lot of peace because of that," she added. Her grandfather's hospice death was different. "It was not painless, and it was not peaceful and it was really hard," she said.
Scotch Brand Partnership
Most recently, Todryk has partnered with Scotch Brand to celebrate their 100th anniversary and launch a giveaway for limited-edition instant-print cameras.
“Not only do I use Scotch products, specifically painter’s tape, at work, I come home and then use again in a different form while crafting with my kids,” Todryk says.
Business Ventures
Alongside her television career, Todryk and her husband own Armor Coffee Co. and Armor Brewery Co. in Allen, Texas. The brewery is designed to be a community gathering place, with a family-friendly atmosphere and a focus on quality craft beer.
Design Trends and Influences
Todryk's design style is described as organic and modern, with influences from mid-century modern and traditional elements. She emphasizes the importance of understanding her clients' preferences and creating spaces that reflect their personalities.
“My style is organic and modern, with some mid-century modern and traditional elements mixed in. At first I wanted to do that with every house, but I quickly realized that that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so my inspiration comes from the homeowners telling me what they want and then asking them the right questions."