Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is an FDN-P, and how can you help me?

An FDN-P is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner—an expertly trained “Health Detective” who uses functional lab testing, health history, symptoms, and lifestyle assessments to investigate hidden stressors, patterns of dysfunction, and healing opportunities.

As an FDN-P, I do not diagnose or treat disease. I help you better understand what may be happening beneath the surface and use objective data to guide personalized nutrition, rest, exercise, stress reduction, supplementation, and lifestyle recommendations.

My goal is simple: test, don’t guess, identify healing opportunities, and help you work with your body instead of against it.

2. Who do you work with?

I work with men and women who are tired of guessing, chasing symptoms, and trying programs that never address why they continue to struggle.

Many of my clients are over 40 and may be dealing with stubborn fat, low energy, digestive problems, poor sleep, chronic stress, inflammation, food sensitivities, hormonal concerns, or other unexplained symptoms.

I also work with women navigating perimenopause and post-menopause who may feel dismissed, frustrated, or unheard.

You do not have to be sick to work with me. You simply need to be ready to become a Health Detective, better understand your body, and take an active role in improving your health.

3. I’ve tried every diet, my labs are “normal,” and I still can’t lose fat. Can you help me?

Possibly—and this is exactly why I became an FDN-P.

Conventional lab ranges may not always provide the complete picture of how well your body is functioning. Instead of focusing only on weight or calories, I investigate potential hidden stressors and patterns related to stress, hormones, digestion, gut health, inflammation, food sensitivities, detoxification, sleep, and lifestyle.

Fat loss resistance can be a signal that the body needs support.

My approach shifts the focus from simply asking, “How do I lose weight?” to asking, “What may be interfering with my body’s ability to function optimally?”

The goal is to improve health first and create an internal environment where better energy, improved function, and sustainable fat loss may follow.

4. What functional lab tests do you use, and what happens after my results come back?

Depending on your individual needs and program, functional lab testing may evaluate areas such as stress and hormone patterns, digestion, detoxification, oxidative stress, intestinal permeability, food sensitivities, gut bacteria, pathogens, and other important health markers.

Once your results are available, I review them alongside your health history, symptoms, lifestyle, and personal goals.

Rather than looking at one marker in isolation, I look for patterns and potential healing opportunities.

From there, I create an individualized wellness plan using the FDN D.R.E.S.S. for Health Success® framework: Diet, Rest, Exercise, Stress Reduction, and Supplementation.

We then work together to implement your plan, track your progress, make adjustments when appropriate, and help you become more informed and empowered about your health.

5. Do you take insurance, where do we meet, and is this medical care?

No. Functional Diagnostic Nutrition is an opt-in model of self-care, and my services are not billed through insurance.

My practice is 100% virtual, allowing you to meet with me from your home or office. Sessions are conducted through Zoom or by telephone.

My services provide functional wellness education, health coaching, functional lab testing, and personalized lifestyle guidance. I do not diagnose, treat, cure, prescribe, or practice medicine.

I encourage clients to maintain a relationship with their physician and seek appropriate medical care for medical concerns.

6. Will I have to follow a strict diet, count calories, fast, exercise, or take supplements forever?

No.

I do not believe every person needs the same diet, exercise program, fasting schedule, or supplement protocol. I focus on the individual. Depending on your needs, we may discuss food quality, food sensitivities, meal timing, hydration, sleep, appropriate movement, stress reduction, supplementation, and other lifestyle strategies.

Fasting is a tool—not a requirement. Exercise can support health—but you do not have to become a gym fanatic to work with me. Supplements may be used strategically when appropriate, but my goal is not to make you dependent on supplements.

The goal is to help you build sustainable habits and support the foundations of health in a way that makes sense for your body and your life.

7. How is your approach different from other nutrition and fat-loss programs?

Most programs focus primarily on calories, restriction, rules, willpower, or chasing symptoms.

My approach is different. As an FDN-P and Health Detective, I use functional lab testing, your health history, symptoms, and lifestyle to investigate potential hidden stressors and healing opportunities.

I do not use a one-size-fits-all approach. I believe lasting change begins with understanding what may be happening inside the body, removing obstacles to health, supporting the foundations of wellness, and teaching you how to become an active participant in your own health journey.

My philosophy is simple: Stop guessing. Start investigating. Get healthy—and allow sustainable fat loss to become a potential result of a healthier body.

8. Will I get better, how long does it take, and what if I’ve already tried everything?

Every person is different, and no specific results can be guaranteed.

Many chronic health complaints develop over months or years, so supporting the body and rebuilding health takes time, consistency, and participation.

Some clients may notice changes in energy, sleep, digestion, mood, cravings, or overall well-being within several weeks. Deeper improvements may take several months.

If you feel like you have already tried everything, you may be exactly the type of person I work with.

My goal is not to give you another quick fix.

It is to help you investigate what may have been overlooked, better understand your body, and develop a sustainable path forward.

9. Why is the Discovery Form required before booking a call, and is my information confidential?

The Discovery Form helps me respect your time and understand your story before we speak.

It provides important context about your health history, current concerns, goals, challenges, and what you hope to accomplish.

Completing the form allows our conversation to be focused, meaningful, and productive. It also helps us determine whether my services are appropriate for your needs and whether we are a good fit to work together.

Your responses are reviewed with care and confidentiality.

No pressure. No judgment. No obligation.

If we determine that we are not a good fit, that is okay. My goal is to help you move forward, even if that means encouraging you to pursue another option.

10. How do I get started, and how do I know which service is right for me?

The first step is to complete the Discovery Form and schedule your free 15-minute Discovery Call.

During our conversation, we will briefly discuss your primary health concerns, goals, previous attempts to improve your health, and what you hope to accomplish.

I will explain how I work, answer your questions, and help determine whether one of my services or programs may be appropriate for you.

You do not have to read my books before working with me, but The Fat Loss Lie can help you better understand my health-first philosophy and why I believe getting healthy must come before chasing weight loss.

There is no pressure to enroll.

Complete the Discovery Form. Book your free 15-minute Discovery Call. Let’s stop guessing, start investigating, and find out what your body may be trying to tell you.

11. Do you offer refunds for FDNP services or programs?

No. All payments for FDNP services, programs, packages, functional lab testing, and related services are final and non-refundable, except where required by applicable law.

I only work with a limited number of clients at a time so I can provide each person with the attention, preparation, and support they deserve. When you enroll, you are reserving a spot that could have been offered to someone else who is ready and waiting to begin their health journey.

Please do not enroll unless you are serious, ready to participate, and committed to the process. Changing your mind, deciding not to continue, failing to complete lab testing or appointments, or choosing not to follow through with the program does not qualify you for a refund or cancel any agreed-upon payment obligations.

If you are not ready to commit, that is okay—but please wait to enroll until you are. There are other individuals waiting for the opportunity to work with me, and I want every available client spot to go to someone who is ready to stop guessing, start investigating, and take an active role in improving their health.

12. Is it normal to feel like I’m not myself anymore during menopause?

Menopause can involve significant changes in hormones, sleep, body composition, mood, energy, temperature regulation, and other aspects of health. But that doesn’t mean you have to simply accept feeling miserable or disconnected from yourself. If you’re experiencing stubborn weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, sleep disruption, hot flashes, night sweats, changes in mood, or other symptoms, those experiences are worth discussing with an appropriate healthcare professional. My role is to help you become a Health Detective—looking at your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, nutrition, and appropriate functional testing to identify patterns and potential areas where additional support may be helpful. You deserve to be heard, informed, and actively involved in understanding your health.

13. I’ve been told my symptoms are “just menopause.” Is there anything else I should investigate?

Menopause is a natural life transition, but not every symptom should automatically be dismissed as “just menopause.” Symptoms can have multiple possible contributors, including changes in hormones, sleep, stress, nutrition, metabolic health, medications, and other health conditions. Rather than assuming there is one explanation, my approach is to investigate the clues and encourage appropriate medical evaluation when needed. I do not diagnose or treat menopause or medical conditions. I help you organize the bigger picture so you can have more informed conversations with your healthcare providers and make appropriate lifestyle choices.

14. Can you help with stubborn weight gain during menopause?

I can help you investigate potential lifestyle and wellness factors that may be contributing to changes in body composition. During and after menopause, changes in hormones, sleep, stress, activity, nutrition, and metabolic health can all be relevant. However, everyone's situation is different. Instead of simply telling you to “eat less and exercise more,” we look at the broader picture and identify areas that may deserve attention. The goal isn't to fight your changing body. It's to better understand it, support healthy foundations, and create sustainable habits.

15. How can a man help a woman who is going through menopause?

One of the most important things a man can do is listen without immediately trying to fix everything. My passion for helping women navigate menopause is deeply personal. My own wife’s experience with menopause opened my eyes to how challenging this transition can be—and how often women can feel dismissed, misunderstood, or left searching for answers. Watching someone I love navigate these changes made me realize how important it is for women to feel heard, supported, and empowered to understand their own health. That experience is one of the reasons I created my menopause resources and why I’m passionate about helping women and the men who love them. My menopause books include:

• I Just Want to Feel Like Me Again — a guide for women who are navigating the physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes of menopause and want to better understand what may be happening in their bodies.

• I Just Want to Feel Like Me Again: The 90-Day Guided Journal & Workbook — a companion resource designed to help women reflect, track patterns, build healthy habits, and actively participate in their wellness journey.

• Loving Her Through Menopause — written specifically for men who want to better understand menopause and learn how to support the women they love through this important transition.

A supportive partner can: Listen without dismissing her experience. Avoid saying, “It’s just menopause.” Ask, “How can I support you?” Learn about menopause instead of expecting her to explain everything. Be patient when sleep, energy, or mood are affected. Support healthy meals, movement, rest, and stress reduction. Recognize that changes in intimacy or mood may have multiple contributing factors. Focus on supporting her rather than trying to “fix” her. Remind her that she doesn't have to navigate this transition alone. Menopause isn't something a woman should have to go through by herself. Sometimes one of the most powerful things a man can say is: “I may not fully understand what you're experiencing yet, but I want to understand—and I'm here with you.” My mission is to help women become Health Detectives of their own lives while helping the men who love them become better listeners, advocates, and partners along the journey.

16. Can my husband or partner participate in my health journey?

Absolutely. With your permission, a spouse or partner can be an important source of encouragement and accountability. A partner may participate in conversations, learn about the lifestyle strategies you're working on, help create a supportive home environment, and better understand what you're experiencing. However, your health journey remains your journey. The goal is support—not control. Sometimes simply having someone who listens, learns, and says “I'm with you” can make a meaningful difference. 

You don't have to navigate menopause alone—and neither does the person who loves you.