Functional Nutrition serves the unique needs of each individual, using customized diet and lifestyle modifications that support the body in cultivating its ultimate healing potential. It does not exist in isolation of other health or medical support systems, but in tandem with them - recognizing the role the individual plays in their own health.

As a certified Functional Nutrition Consultant, I help clients work toward their health goals using a whole-person approach. This means we take the time to unwrap what you are experiencing by looking at not only what goes in you (the food you eat), but what surrounds and influences you on a regular basis (daily routine, work, amount/quality of sleep, stressors, diet, obligations, movement, etc.).

My signature 3-pillared approach involves exploring and supporting Mindset, Goals/Systems and Gut Health. (END HERE OR ADD THE BULLETS BELOW)

Mindset: Goals and symptoms do not exist in a vacuum - and neither do you. In order to prepare for your goals and create a sustainable system of change, you first need to be aware of your thoughts and beliefs about yourself, around what it is you want to achieve, and the obstacles you will likely encounter. You need to understand your motivation clearly and deeply, be realistic and be mentally prepared and committed. This critical step is often the one that is skipped, which is why so many people find themselves right back where they started in a few months time. Root Cause Resolution means we are looking to unearth the source(s) of what is keeping you from actualizing your wellness goals.

Goals/Systems: I have extensive experience and training in Goal Setting, and use a systems-based approach which is customized for and with each client. I don’t believe in teaching dependency. My job as your coach is to ensure you have the knowledge, tools and strategies you need to continue thriving when our work is done.

Gut Health: “All disease begins in the gut.” ~Hippocrates. This scholar knew centuries ago what modern science is only recently catching up to. As many symptoms of dis-ease begin in the gut - this is also where much of the healing can begin. I educate clients on gut health and integrity - examining the implications of leaky gut (CLICK) and food insensitivities, as well as how they can begin to heal and alleviate associated symptoms naturally.

Foundation Training is a non-invasive, body-weight only practice used to address the root cause of chronic back pain, stiffness, aching muscles/joints and other symptoms resulting from compression and improper movement patterns.

My FT clients learn a series of body-weight exercises that activate your posterior muscle chain, which includes the muscles in your back, hips, glutes, and legs. By strengthening and learning to use these muscles properly, you can correct the imbalances that come from sitting too much, hunching over screens, lifting improperly and other habits of modern life. Foundation Training helps you take pressure off the spine and reinstate the hips as the fulcrum of movement - teaching you to move the way your body was designed to - relieving you from pain and helping to prevent further injury. In addition to back pain and improve your posture. By learning to take the burden of supporting your body off your joints and put on your muscles, you can move more easily and gracefully, no matter your age or fitness level.

Whether you are:

At a desk all day that causes low back and neck tension or sciatic pain, A first responder or contractor prone to throwing out your back, A stay-at-home mom feeling the weight of bearing too many loads, an athlete looking to support their performance decompress after training, or Retired and finally looking to support and feel good in your body so you can get to playing… Foundation Training can help. Empower yourself and tap into your body’s natural ability to heal - through awareness and powerful, mindful movement.

Contact me for private and group rates.

Gut hyperpermeability - or more commonly known as ‘leaky gut’ - refers to the widening of the gaps between the cells that line our intestinal wall. Our gut lining has a certain functional amount of permeability - to allow necessary and properly digested nutrients into our bloodstream.

What happens when we have leaky gut (hyperpermeability) is that lining gets a little looser. When this happens, it allows [larger] molecules to ‘leak’ through into our bloodstream that shouldn’t be there. The immune system doesn’t recognize these intruder molecules as ‘belonging there’. The immune system is very trainable. When we have leaky gut - and molecules are chronically leaking into our blood stream - we [inadvertently] begin to train the immune system to be on alert and in ‘attack mode’ all…the….time. It then starts to get confused, and mount attacks elsewhere on things that looks similar to these larger molecules it has been trained to attack - including HEALTHY tissues in our very own body.

It has become a case of mistaken identity. The immune system, being repeatedly exposed to ‘intruder’ molecules is now no longer able to effectively distinguish between a rogue protein molecule and ‘self’. This is often caused by (repeatedly) eating something our body didn’t/couldn’t break down appropriately.

Symptoms resulting from a leaky gut are numerous. Are you suffering from stomach and digestive issues? Symptoms include (but are not limited to) IBS/IBD, gerd, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, celiac disease, non-celiac gluten intolerance, stomach pains, bloating and more. Because of the brain-gut axis, symptoms of a leaky gut are not isolated to the digestive system. Brain fog, migraines, mood, anxiety - all can be impacted by imbalances in the gut.

Food Insensitivities: How your body reacts to foods is a big reason why many suffer from symptoms that can impact your digestion, skin, brain, heart and more. Most people are now familiar with what celiac is (intolerance of gluten) - but traditional lab tests will not always show insensitivities - that period before you are diagnosed with an intolerance. This means that years can pass with you continuing to eat foods that you aren’t aware are slowly breaking down your gut wall and defenses.

There is so MUCH you can do right now to begin your healing journey, take proactive preventative measures and intentional strides toward your wellness goals!