Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
Introduction: What Certifications I Hold and How They Shaped My Practice
Whether it’s clients or aspiring health coaches, I’m often asked about the programs and certifications I’ve completed to run my practice. While I once dreamed of going back to a traditional university, life had other plans. Instead, I found a variety of self-paced online courses that allowed me to build a practice making a meaningful impact on women’s health. Over the years, I’ve completed three key certifications that shaped the foundation of my work today—and there are still many more I’m excited to explore.
I began my journey at the Integrative Women’s Health Institute, where I became a certified Women’s Health Coach in 2022. By the summer of 2023, I earned my Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) Practitioner certification, which took my health coaching beyond the basics and deepened the results I could offer my clients. Most recently, in 2024, I completed Emily Morrow’s Master Blood Chem w/ Em, further expanding my expertise in analyzing traditional blood panels to identify patterns and red flags.
The FDN Practitioner certification had a big impact on me and my practice. I want to share more about it to help both current clients understand my approach and give aspiring health coaches a resource to consider when choosing their next educational step.
What is the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) Practitioner Program?
The FDN Practitioner course, developed by Reed Davis, is a comprehensive certification program designed for health coaches, practitioners, and those eager to enhance their knowledge of functional health. This online, self-paced course focuses on identifying the root causes of health issues rather than simply managing symptoms. It teaches you how to interpret functional lab tests to detect dysfunction in the body and create personalized, natural healing protocols.
The program focuses on optimizing five key areas of a client’s life: diet, rest, exercise, stress management, and supplementation. By improving these areas, clients can regain control of their health, address healing opportunities, and build resilience.
How Has It Helped My Practice?
Holding an FDN-P certification has significantly expanded my practice. I’m now able to work under a medical director, which allows me to order lab tests that were once reserved for medical professionals such as doctors, dietitians, and naturopaths. This gives me access to a deeper level of insight into my clients' health, helping me uncover patterns, healing opportunities, and potential red flags that may not be visible through standard health assessments. The course also gave me a deeper understanding of supplements and their use in specific situations, helping me make more precise recommendations for my clients.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson I gained is that there’s always more than one approach to health, reinforcing that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution even in health. The FDN course stressed the importance of advocating for yourself, listening to your body, and exploring multiple paths to wellness. This has allowed me to help clients address the root causes of their health concerns, rather than simply managing symptoms, leading to longer-lasting, more impactful results.
My Recommendation
If you’re considering becoming a functional health coach, I highly recommend the FDN Practitioner course as a foundational step. It gave me a solid grasp of how various systems in the body work and introduced me to key functional lab tests that allow for personalized health protocols. Beyond the technical knowledge, it opened doors to a supportive community of other FDN practitioners, who have become invaluable mentors and resources.
Whether you’re looking to start your own practice or simply want to deepen your understanding of your body’s health, this course is well worth the investment in time and money. It’s been a pivotal piece of my journey, and I believe it can be for you, too.
Conclusion
The journey through these certifications has not only shaped my practice but also deepened my passion for functional health. The FDN Practitioner course, in particular, gave me the tools to dig deeper into my clients' health, helping them achieve lasting, transformative results. Whether you're a health coach looking to expand your expertise or someone wanting to better understand your body, investing in programs like this can open up a world of possibilities. For me, it's been more than just earning certificates—it's about empowering others to take control of their health and guiding them on a path to real, sustainable wellness.
With support,
Isabella
