Meet Melanie Rogers | Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and Pilates trainer (MS, FDN-P)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Rogers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, what principle do you value most?
I value our sovereign right to be empowered and in charge of our own health and healing. My passion is to teach and coach upon the principles holistic health optimization including customized nutrition, actionable lifestyle hacks, smart supplementation, needle-mover stress reduction techniques and mind/body/soul work. I believe that many chronic diseases are result of ignoring these important pillars of health, and anyone can benefit from a natural approach to health.

What should our readers know about your business?
I help busy active women (and men), get to the root cause of their hormone and gut issues, develop a personalized holistic plan and take control of their health so they can feel energetic, slim and symptom free at any age. I am a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner and Pilates trainer with a background with traditional Chinese medicine. As a functional health practitioner (FDN-P), I utilize science based lab testing, investigate and find hidden healing opportunities within the hormone, immune, digestion, detoxification, energy and nervous systems.

From there, I create a customized protocol, provide ongoing support and accountability so that clients can optimize their health! It hasn’t been an easy or quick road to get where I am now. I was a very busy Pilates coach for many years, yet yearned to go back to my Chinese Medicine roots of working in natural health care.

Being a single mom, I couldn’t just take time off to study full time or switch careers. I had to financially figure out how to be able to pivot back to being a health practitioner, all while still paying the bills I wanted to learn functional lab testing, so that I could take a blended approach of western and eastern healing modalities. The aim of functional testing is to look at the body as a whole organism by finding connections between a whatever cascade of symptoms a client has.

Functional testing also looks at smaller reference ranges, in order to focus on ideal health, not averages, in order to more effectively gauge trends and create a preventative model of care. I am so blessed to have found Functional Diagnostic Nutrition where I could learn all about lab work and be able to take the coursework and interact with mentors on-line!

Last year was a crazy year in so many ways, but the extra time I was gifted with allowed me to complete my training and propel and launch my FDN career! I want to help people lose weight and heal from symptoms that hinder their lives while empowering them to understand how their body works. I know what it is like to feel exhausted all the time. I know what it is like to feel burned out, bloated, unsure of what foods to eat and what food trigger indigestion. I know what is like to ride the hormonal rollercoaster and never know how bad my periods are going to be.

I was sick and tired of being labeled “normal and healthy,” yet I couldn’t get through the day without a nap. I desired to get to the root causative factors without going on medications (if possible). Through Functional Diagnostic Nutrition principles, the right labs and dedication to my own self-healing, I was able feel better, improve my gut health, balance my hormones, nourish my adrenals and improve my thyroid health. I was able to take my life back and have boundless energy.

Now it’s my privilege is to help others do the same. I am on a mission to help empower women to take control of their own health. I truly believe that natural methods, strategic lifestyle changes, targeted supplementation and customized diet is the BEST way to optimize your health and avoid many chronic diseases. People need a health advocate, cheerleader, supporter and accountability coach in this process. I am happy to be that for my clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love so many places in San Diego! (let’s assume its sunny and warm-ish). I like to take nature walks, check out the sites, enjoy our beaches and eat yummy food!

Day 1: North County Inland: Breakfast at the Veranda at RB Inn, Safari park, Orfila winery, dinner at either Stone Brewery world Bistro and Gardens or Vintana
Day 2: Beach: Del Mar: Torrey Pines hike, lunch in del mar (Flower child), Jake’s for dinner
Day 3: Encinitas or La Jolla: Roxy’s or Swami’s or Naked Cafe for breakfast, Moonlight Beach, URBN pizza for lunch (gluten free mashed potato pizza omg), OR head to La Jolla to walk around, see the seals and eat at Sushi on the Rock Day 4: Balboa Park: Breakfast at the mission, SD Zoo, Balboa Park, lunch at The Prado, Cucina Urbana for dinner
Day 5: Temecula: lots of wine tasting, lunch at Robert Renzoni, and either Small barn in old Temecula for dinner or Gourmet Italia
Day 6: Chill day north county inland: Hike Lake Poway, Lunch at Eat Enclave in Scripps Ranch, dinner at Kaminiski’s BBQ or Pitchers Sports Bar and Grill
Day 7: Little Italy: Brunch at Queenstown Pubic House, walk around little Italy and harbor, drinks at Craft and commerce and False idol, Dinner at Ironside Fish and Oyster

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really made huge actionable steps last year towards my functional health coaching business. I could not have done it alone! I am so blessed to have manifested a team of amazing mentors, close friends and supporters that have helped encourage, support and inspire me to get to where I am today. Not a complete list but some honorable mentions:

First off, I am so grateful for the group of mentors I have met through the Association of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioners. They continue to help me grow so much as a practitioner, clinician and coach.

Secondly, I have to thank Anna and Vito La Fata for their systematic guidance and unmatchable inspiration with building an on-line brand through their Visionary Planner. They help me dream big and their community of entrepreneurs is a constant source of moral support.

Third, I am thrilled to be in a mentorship program this year through Metabolic Solutions Institute with Brendan Vermeire, fellow FDN. I am so excited that I found a mentor that is challenging me to be a more effective, empathetic and discerning practitioner.

Lastly, I have to send a shout out to the place I have taught Pilates for the last 9 years, Fitness Quest 10. They have been such a huge supporter of my health business continued growth and success. Under the leadership of Todd Durkin and Jeff Bristol, it is hard to not be motivated to strive for greatness along side my other top-notch teammates.

Website: www.melrogers.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrogerslife

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-rogers-0693801/

Image Credits
Andy Marcus Photography