About Us
Hi! I’m Erin.
I'm a recovering perfectionist, a former chronic dieter, and an autoimmune ally. I help women re-energize and find real health without restriction. I'm glad you're here. Now let’s reclaim your health.
I’m an Integrative & Functional Nutritionist
I have been practicing nutrition for 11 years, going far beyond the conventional education I received in dietetics school earning my B.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics. I blend science, experience, humor, and mindset for a unique and customized approach to nutrition counseling, functional medicine, and holistic health.
I work with clients in my group functional medicine programs, as well as individually. I invest in your story, and aim to be as equally committed to your path as you are.
I am at heart a researcher. I am constantly learning from the leaders in the industry and stay up to date with the current research. Our understanding of food and the human body changes every day. Our practice should, too.
My training and education, experience working with thousands of women, plus my research-backed holistic approach makes me a uniquely qualified partner in your health journey. If you’re looking for a nutritional, functional and spiritual approach to health, consider working with me.
I inspire my clients to…
Ditch your food dogmas and diet mentality and embrace real food.
Realize that eating doesn’t have to be confusing, overwhelming or a struggle.
Understand that lasting change happens from the inside out, not the outside in (in other words, you've gotta flip it and reverse it).
Make yourself a priority in your own life.
Be an active participant in your own health.
Believe that you have the innate capacity to heal—and you are deserving of true health.
I have extensive experience working with clients who have:
Digestive disorders, including SIBO and IBS
Adrenal dysfunction and cortisol dysregulation
Thyroid disorders
Blood sugar issues
Autoimmune conditions
Chronic pain
Brain fog and Fatigue
Anxiety
Do you want to feel good in your body and comfortable in your skin? I can help.
I’m the Creator & Host of The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast
Back in 2017, I created The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast and have been the girl behind the mic ever since. I share honest and eye-opening insight into the latest hot topic nutrition, plus interviews with thought leaders in the functional medicine and wellness world. We are committed to bringing zero cost-to-consumer, high level information to you each week and we’re beyond proud to be in the top .5% of podcast listenership!! Like ODB said, give me the mic so I can take it away!
And the Founder & Director of The Funk’tional Nutrition Academy
The Funk’tional Nutrition Academy is a 14 month practitioner training where functional medicine, deep nutrition & intuitive healing meet. After spending a decade and close to $100K piecing together continuing education in integrative nutrition, functional medicine, alternative health, business & mindset, I decided to create the program that I wish existed back when I graduated dietetics school. FNA is where I train and mentor nutrition & health professionals in functional medicine modalities.
I want to be the change. I want to stick a stake in the wheel spoke. I want to Theresa Giudice table-flip the food and health messages we hear. I want the whole f*^%$#g diet industry to come crashing down. I want to challenge conventional medicine. I want women to know there is another way.
My Story
For the majority of my life, I tried to shove myself into a box of what I thought I should be, what I thought others expected and wanted of me. The Good Girl Who Followed The Rules. But I realized I was killing myself not so softly.
For fifteen years I struggled with eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), incessant dieting and an extremely unhealthy relationship with my body. At the same time, I also struggled with constant health issues: digestive problems, anxiety, depression, frequent injuries, and chronic pain.
I went on to study conventional nutrition to learn how to fix myself. Despite earning a B.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics and seeing countless doctors, I still didn't have any answers. Feeling like conventional nutrition and medicine had failed me, I had no other option but to turn to alternative medicine for my recovery.
I took a course in meditation—this is what started the change. Slowly, slowly my disordered eating, food fears, body hatred, self disgust, anxiety and depression lifted. I found yoga. I stopped dieting. I embraced a whole foods way of eating. I learned how to listen to my body and trust myself. I realized I didn't have to fix myself—I was already whole.
It took time, practice, and courage, but eventually I started to do what was right for me.
I recognized that this unconventional approach could help lots of others, so I got to work building my business.
It's not your average nutrition practice. I am not your average nutritionist.
When my daughter was a baby, I got sick. I was turned away from doctors over and over again, told there was nothing wrong. Fortunately for me, I knew my body. All the work I had done was paying off. I trusted myself. I was an advocate for my own health, I was a bulldog. Eventually I was diagnosed with scleroderma, a very serious autoimmune disease. This prompted another healing journey and led me to functional medicine.
I sought out people that were willing to listen to me, and I started to collect data. Through functional lab testing, supportive foods, supplementation, and (perhaps most importantly) changing my relationship to myself, I began to dig myself out of a hole. It took a lifestyle overhaul, but I eventually began to heal. I got my energy back, I started feeling consistently well, I rediscovered my lust for life.
My own health struggles dramatically affect the way I work with clients. I see you. You’re not crazy. It’s not all in your head. I understand because I’ve been there. I've been in the trenches, and I've also experienced the light at the end of the tunnel. I know it's possible. And that's what I hope to show you.
My practice is for those who resonate with this. With wanting to do something different, but not understanding what just yet. With feeling unwell, but not getting any answers. With being tired of not being heard. With knowing that what you're doing now isn't serving you. With knowing that you've been stuck in a hamster wheel for a long, long time and feel ready to get off.
YOU ARE MY PEOPLE
This is who I call out to—because we need a new way. Let me lead you down The Funk’tional Nutrition path.
Rachel Heintz, MS, RDN
Rachel Heintz is a registered dietitian with years of clinical experience working in a prominent functional medicine clinic. As an IFM Certified Practitioner and a graduate of Erin’s Funk’tional Nutrition Academy, Rachel is well aligned with our philosophy.
Dubbed a “phenom” by Erin, we essentially head hunted Rachel to pull her into The Funk’tional Nutrition fold. If you get the opportunity to work with Rachel, you will see why we are honored and excited to have her on the team. We know you will love her calm and grounding demeanor and comprehensive approach.
Degrees & Certifications:
Certified in Erin’s methodologies through the Funk’tional Nutrition Academy
Institute of Functional Medicine certified functional medicine practitioner
Bachelor of Science with a double concentration in Applied Nutrition & Nutrition Science, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Minor in Biology, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Master of Science in Nutrition Diagnostics, Cox College
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Rachel’s Story
It wasn’t until I began dealing with some of my personal health conditions that I discovered my passion for functional medicine. Around 18 years old, I started developing seasonal allergies. I chalked it up to being in a new environment for college, and was instructed to start taking allergy medicine by my PCP.
As my allergies got worse, I was told to increase the dose of allergy medicine and also began using inhaled nose spray. By the end of my senior year of college, I was taking 6-8 Zyrtec a day, and was using Flonase 2-3 times a day. I started to develop eczema, for which I was prescribed a topical steroid, and my eyes were so irritated all the time that I was prescribed steroid eye drops. I had a handful of medical providers for various conditions that were driven by the same process—immune system dysfunction and overwhelm.
With specialized testing, adjustments to my diet and daily routine, and personalized supplementation, I have been able to improve my health and manage symptoms through a root-cause approach.
Functional medicine allowed me to take a deeper look into my food sensitivities, address dysbiosis, mold toxicity, and nutrient deficiencies. It was a long process, but with time my allergies slowly subsided and I was able to wean off all of my over-the-counter and prescription medications.
My personal experience influences the way I work with clients. It’s not about giving you a pill, medication, or supplement for every symptom you have. It’s about addressing the underlying reasons for your health concerns and symptoms that others have deemed as normal.To me, being healthy is more than just what you eat or how much you exercise. It’s about taking care of yourself, nourishing your body, and having fun while doing it! My goal is to show people that building a balanced lifestyle while addressing underlying issues is the first step in disease prevention and management.
