The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast
with Erin Holt
Honest and eye-opening conversations with functional nutritionist Erin Holt. Erin shares insight into hot topic nutrition, plus interviews with thought leaders in the functional medicine and wellness world. Get informed and empowered with this funky spin on mainstream health information.
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The Latest Episode
The Truth About Food Sensitivities: Why You're Reacting to Everything
If you’re stuck in a food reactivity rabbit hole, this episode will help you decode what’s really going on. Erin unpacks the difference between food allergies and sensitivities, highlighting how sensitivities can trigger delayed, systemic inflammation days after exposure. She shares why symptoms vary so widely - ranging from headaches to joint pain to brain fog, and how your body’s “weakest link” often determines where symptoms show up.
But rather than just treating food as the enemy, Erin digs into the root causes: changes in food production, immune system overreactions, and gut dysfunction. Environmental toxins, stress, and even poor digestion are priming your body to misfire against food, and your $200 at-home test might be leading you down the wrong path.
Tune in for a clear breakdown of how to properly execute an elimination and provocation diet, what red flags on a food sensitivity test REALLY mean, and why blindly removing a bunch of foods could actually make things worse in the long run.
Looking to learn more about a specific topic?
Recent Episodes
6/3/25 BLOATING & GUT HEALTH
Episode 363: 7 Sneaky Reasons You're Still Bloated (That Have Nothing to Do with Food)
Have you tried probiotics, collagen, and cut out food groups but still feel bloated?
Erin unpacks the 7 most overlooked (but common!) drivers behind chronic bloating that often go undetected in traditional care models. True digestive healing starts at the top, literally in your brain. And she’ll walk through how stress, poor digestion, and imbalances in the gut can contribute to that uncomfortable, distended feeling.
Rather than just focusing on what to cut out of your diet, Erin will help you zoom out and examine digestion from a functional lens: are you chewing enough? Do you have sufficient stomach acid? Could sluggish bile or bacterial overgrowth be to blame?
With practical insights, simple self-tests, and supplement strategies, this episode gives you a checklist to start solving the bloating mystery at its root.
5/27/25 MONEY & MANIFESTATION
Episode 362: Money Shame, Self-Worth & Subconscious Beliefs: Rewiring Your Wealth Mindset
Today’s episode of The Funktional Nutrition Podcast is a little different — Erin is bringing back a past show that struck a chord with so many listeners, and it feels more relevant than ever. It’s the only episode she’s ever recorded on the topic of money, and she’s re-releasing it to explain exactly why it deserves a second listen. This isn’t just a conversation about finances — it’s about how we view ourselves, our worth, and where those beliefs come from. It’s a powerful message for everyone, but especially for those who are used to putting others first: moms, caretakers, over-functioners — this one’s for you.
The episode also dives into something deeper: how we shape our reality based on the beliefs and narratives we consume. In a world flooded with fear-based and limiting messages (particularly around the economy), it’s easy to fall into a mindset of scarcity and self-doubt. But Erin reminds us that when we train our minds to seek out evidence of possibility — not limitation — everything starts to shift. This is exactly why she created Manifest Your Wealth, a program returning June 1st by popular demand. If you’ve ever struggled to see yourself as a worthy investment and want to understand why that is — this episode is your pep talk… or maybe even your full-on pep rally.
5/20/25 AUTOIMMUNITY
Episode 361: Inside Dr. Akil’s T.I.G.E.R Protocol for Autoimmune Healing
Autoimmunity rates are soaring, but is the conventional medical approach keeping up? Dr. Akil, a Harvard-trained MD and integrative medicine pioneer, joins Erin to break down why the autoimmune epidemic is accelerating (especially among children), and how most patients are being underserved by oversimplified advice or symptom-suppressing drugs.
Instead of masking symptoms, Dr. Akil shares his “T.I.G.E.R Protocol” - a comprehensive, actionable system to address the real root causes of autoimmunity, from toxins and infections to gut health, diet, and rest.
5/13/25 SUPPLEMENTS & WOMEN’S HEALTH
Episode 360: Why Creatine Is A Top 3 Supplement Women Shouldn’t Ignore
What's all the buzz about creatine? Should you be taking it? What benefits does it have, especially for women?
Erin welcomes back Angelo Keely, CEO of Kion, to break down the myths, facts, and powerful research behind creatine’s benefits. From muscle performance and body composition to cognitive health and hormone-related brain fog, you’ll learn why this widely studied supplement is gaining a ton of traction among women of all ages.
Is creatine actually safe? What about kidney concerns, bloating, or digestive issues? And how does it stack up against (or work alongside) amino acids?
Erin and Angelo tackle the big questions and will empower you to make informed decisions so you can decide if creatine fits into YOUR daily routine.
5/6/25 HORMONES & LIVER
Episode 359: The Liver-Hormone Link: How to Detox Without the Gimmicks (And the Products I Use to Support It)
If you’ve ever felt like your hormones are off, this episode is for you. Erin is joined by functional dietitian Nicole Antes, MS, RDN, to unpack a MASSIVELY overlooked topic in hormone health: the liver.
Together, they explore how nutrient deficiencies, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, and even your cookware may be burdening your detox pathways and leading to hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance.
Nicole shares real-world client cases and practical strategies to support your liver, gut, and overall detoxification without expensive fads or restrictive cleanses. You’ll learn why liver support goes far beyond supplements, what your poop says about your hormone health, and how simple lifestyle swaps can make a profound impact.
This is the episode that connects the dots between gut, liver, and hormones in a way that finally makes sense.
4/29/25 HORMONES & MINDSET
Episode 358: The Hidden Link Between High Achievement, Burnout, and Hormone Imbalance
If you’re a high-achieving woman who's ever felt like your ambition was leading you straight into burnout, you’re not alone. In this episode, Erin dives deep into the relationship between ambition, burnout, and hormone health.
Guess what? It’s not ambition itself that's the problem, but ambition without rest, support, and self-awareness. She unpacks the hidden patterns of perfectionism, codependency, and over-functioning that so often drive depletion and hormonal dysfunction in high performers, and shares how your mindset and relational patterns may be silently impacting your body’s ability to thrive.
You'll learn why common signs like weight loss resistance, thyroid sluggishness, low cortisol, and persistent fatigue aren’t just “part of the hustle” but major signals from your body that it’s time to make a change. Erin also shares her own story of reaching a tipping point and how she transformed both her business and her well-being.
4/22/25 HORMONES
Episode 357: Before You Jump to HRT - What Your Perimenopause Symptoms Might Really Mean
Perimenopause is trending - but are we oversimplifying a complex hormonal transition? In this episode, Erin unpacks the rising buzz around perimenopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She shares why HRT isn’t always the magic bullet it’s hyped up to be and explores how symptoms like mood changes, fatigue, brain fog, and cycle irregularities may actually stem from deeper root causes.
From thyroid dysfunction to estrogen clearance issues, Erin dives into the hormonal nuances that can actually “mimic” perimenopause and why lab testing and nervous system support might be more important than rushing into prescriptions. You’ll also hear why symptoms are your body’s way of communicating and how a functional, whole-human approach could be what you've been missing.
4/15/25 HORMONES
Episode 356: Low Energy? Brain Fog? It Might Be Your Thyroid (Even if Labs Say You're “Fine”)
Feeling off but your doctor says your labs are “normal”? This episode breaks down the often-overlooked world of thyroid dysfunction and why so many people (especially women!) are walking around with symptoms they can’t explain. Erin dives deep into what’s really going on with your thyroid, the symptoms that often get brushed off, and why the conventional model of care may not be giving you the full picture.
From stress and nutrient depletion to liver health, toxins, and hormone imbalances, Erin explains the root causes that could be holding your thyroid hostage and what to do about it.
You’ll learn what a full thyroid panel should include, why postpartum women are particularly vulnerable, and how a whole-body, functional approach (including energy medicine) is often the missing piece in healing.
4/08/25 HORMONES
Episode 355: The #1 Nutrition Shift Most Women Overlook for Hormone Health
If you've ever wondered how to truly support your hormones without falling into diet culture traps, Erin is breaking down the three “big boulders” of hormone-supportive nutrition: eating enough food, prioritizing protein, and adding variety to your meals. She explains why a caloric deficit isn’t always the answer (especially for women!) and how being well-fed sends powerful safety signals to the body that support ovulation, progesterone production, and overall hormonal balance.
You’ll also learn why balanced blood sugar is non-negotiable, how modern weight loss trends like Ozempic and other GLP-1 peptides could have unintended consequences, and how strength training can buffer against hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause. Plus, she shares her free downloadable Hormone Food Guide to help you put it all into practice.
4/01/25 HORMONES & FERTILITY
Episode 354: Trying to Conceive? How to Support Your Body for Optimal Fertility
If you’ve ever felt frustrated or confused about your fertility journey, you’re not alone. In this episode, Erin is talking to our lead practitioner Rachel Heintz, MS, RDN, to break down the key factors that influence female fertility beyond just age and ovulation. They dives into how stress, gut health, and nutrient deficiencies can all play a role, and what you can do to optimize your chances of conception naturally.
You’ll also learn the biggest misconceptions about fertility, how to recognize the signs your body is sending, and practical strategies to support hormone balance. Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or just want to better understand your reproductive health, this episode is packed with insights.
3/25/25 MINDSET & BOUNDARIES
Episode 353: Triggers, Growth, and Confidence: The Mindset Shift You Need
If you've ever felt imposter syndrome or self-doubt creeping in before taking a big leap, you're not alone. In this episode, Erin shares her real-time experience of navigating fear and uncertainty before leading a major training. She breaks down how high achievers—whether entrepreneurs, practitioners, or anyone pushing their limits—can reframe fear as a sign of growth rather than a setback. You'll learn how to identify limiting beliefs, recognize emotional triggers, and take action despite self-doubt. Plus, Erin shares the #1 subconscious growth limiter that most people don’t even realize is holding them back.
This episode also includes insights from a live call with FNA students and grads, diving deep into the mindset shifts needed to build confidence, make bold decisions, and grow both personally and professionally. If you've ever asked yourself, Can I really do this?, Erin gives you the tools and real-life examples to prove that you can—and why betting on yourself is the key to success.
3/18/25 MINDSET & BOUNDARIES
Episode 352: Imposter Syndrome in High-Achievers: Why It Happens and How to Stop It
If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, felt like you’re not qualified, or doubted whether you’re truly “ready” for the next step in your career or personal growth, this episode is for you.
Here’s the truth: Feeling like an imposter is often a sign of growth—not failure.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in self-doubt, you’re not alone. Most high-achievers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners experience imposter syndrome at some point. In fact, most of the practitioners who have graduated from The Funk’tional Nutrition Academy (FNA) started in that exact place. The good news? You can train your mind to work for you, not against you.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how to reframe self-doubt and step into the next level of your growth with confidence!
3/11/25 AUTOIMMUNITY
Episode 351: Fascia & Lymphatics Explained: Healing Pain, Injury, and Immune Health with Tiffany Cruikshank from Yoga Medicine
In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the essential role of fascia and lymphatics in our health, and why these systems are vital for healing. Whether you're dealing with sports injuries, low back pain, chronic pain, digestive issues, or even tension headaches, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss.
I’m joined by Tiffany Cruikshank, founder of Yoga Medicine, a transformative online membership that goes beyond just yoga classes. Tiffany’s expertise spans over 15 years in the wellness space, from her early studies in premed and Chinese medicine to her specialization in sports medicine, acupuncture at Nike HQ, and her recent focus on fertility and women’s health.
3/4/25 AUTOIMMUNITY
Episode 350: Women’s Health & Medical Gaslighting: The Hidden Struggles of Autoimmune Disease
Have you ever felt dismissed by a doctor when trying to get answers about your health? You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the reality of medical gaslighting—especially for women struggling with autoimmune diseases. From misdiagnosis to being told symptoms are “just stress,” we explore why this happens, how it impacts long-term health, and what you can do to advocate for yourself. Tune in for expert insights, real stories, and practical strategies to take control of your health journey.
2/25/25 GUT HEALTH
Episode 349: How Leaky Gut Triggers Autoimmunity: The Link Between Gut Health, Hormones & Chronic Inflammation
Leaky gut is more than just a buzzword—it’s a key player in autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s, PCOS, and even menopause-related health issues. Your gut barrier isn’t just about digestion; it directly impacts your immune system, hormone balance, and inflammation levels. When this barrier becomes compromised, it can trigger widespread symptoms, from brain fog and joint pain to thyroid dysfunction and insulin resistance.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into the gut-hormone connection, exploring how intestinal permeability contributes to autoimmunity and why healing the gut is just one piece of the puzzle. We’ll break down the science behind leaky gut, discuss its impact on thyroid and hormone health, and share strategies for restoring gut integrity using functional medicine. If you’re a practitioner or someone struggling with chronic symptoms, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
2/18/25 AUTOIMMUNITY
Episode 348: The Link Between Histamine, Gut Health, and Immune System Dysregulation
Autoimmune conditions are on the rise, and more people are turning to functional medicine for answers. One emerging factor in immune dysregulation is histamine intolerance, which can manifest in a range of symptoms from digestive issues to chronic inflammation.
In this episode, we break down the connection between histamine, gut health, detoxification, and immune response. We also explore the impact of chronic stress, mold exposure, and complex treatment reactions—plus, a new training opportunity for practitioners looking to deepen their expertise.