Welcome to the discussion meetings section.
To find out about upcoming discussion meetings, please go to the Upcoming Schedule page.
This is the link for all discussion meetings: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87165684586
Passcode: 499678
Replays will be posted here.
Topic: When a Client Dies: The Weight We Carry
Losing a client can leave us questioning our recommendations, our role, and whether we could have done more. This discussion explores the emotional impact of client loss, professional responsibility, and how we process grief while recognizing the limits of what we can control.
Innovation or Rebranding?
Wellness trends cycle through detoxes, food rules, protocols, and optimization strategies — often presented as “new.” But are we genuinely evolving our understanding and practice, or simply re-packaging old ideas with new branding? This topic explores how concepts are recycled, what actually constitutes progress, and whether the constant search for novelty distracts us from timeless principles that already work.
As practitioners, we’ve spent years learning, refining, and deepening our understanding of food and health — yet many of us quietly admit that the more we know, the less ease we feel around food. This session explores how expertise can empower our choices while also creating invisible rules, hyper-awareness, and pressure to “eat like a professional.” We’ll look at where knowledge liberates us… and where it begins to confine us.
Prompt Notes
Here’s what we discussed: As the year winds down, it’s a natural time to pause and reflect. What surprised us most in our practice this year—whether through client cases, emerging research, or shifts in client expectations? What worked well, and what do we want to change moving forward? Looking back at 2025 can help us identify patterns, refine our protocols, and anticipate the support our clients will need in 2026. How can we carry these lessons into the new year with clarity and confidence?
Notes For Food Trends Discussion
From intermittent fasting to seed oils to “superfood” powders, new nutrition trends emerge constantly—often amplified by social media. Some ideas have merit, while others oversimplify or mislead. How do we evaluate which trends are worth integrating into our practice? How can we help clients stay open to new research without being pulled into hype cycles that distract from long-term, sustainable change?
Topic: Are “Normal” Lab Ranges Good Enough?
Clients often come to us frustrated because their lab results are considered “normal,” yet they still don’t feel well. This raises an important question: are standard lab ranges—based on population averages—really the best markers for optimal health? Functional practitioners sometimes look beyond conventional cutoffs to identify early dysfunction, but where’s the line between helpful insight and over-interpretation? How can we guide clients through this nuance while staying within scope and using evidence responsibly?
Notes
Topic: What Do We Do With Clients On GLP-1 Drugs
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are reshaping weight management, leaving wellness practitioners to decide whether to oppose, support, or integrate their use.
As more clients turn to these medications, how can holistic care complement or enhance their outcomes? This discussion explores the ethical and practical considerations. Are these drugs a threat to wellness practices or an opportunity for collaboration?
Topic: The Mental Load of Wellness
As wellness culture grows, so does the pressure to achieve “perfect health” through rigorous routines, diets, and self-care practices. This can inadvertently create an unrealistic standard that adds to clients’ stress rather than alleviating it. We’ll discuss all this, along with actionable suggestions and solutions.
The Rise of Personalized Nutrition Using Testing: Genetic and microbiome testing for tailoring diets has promise and pitfalls. We’ll discuss how these tests are being used or misused and how to integrate personalized insights into practice responsibly.
Are Wellness Trends Diluting Evidence-Based Practices? We discussed the tension between wellness trends and evidence-based practices and explore strategies for maintaining professional integrity while staying innovative.
The Dark Side of Socal Media and Health Information: This meeting will explore the profound impact of social media on mental health, including the spread of health misinformation. We’ll delve into the psychological effects of social media use, identify the signs of negative influence on well-being, and provide strategies for supporting clients who may be struggling with these challenges.
It’s time to discuss Nightshades. The Nightshade family has many benefits, and it’s time to start talking about them
We discussed the controversies surrounding gluten and what’s really happening
Enjoy the discussion. We discuss the controversies surrounding lectins. And what we may do to help counter people’s fear about whole foods.
The document that was shown during the meeting
We discussed air fryers, microwaves, grilling, sauteing, and frying. Things to consider for each.
We discussed what happens when holistic beliefs are challenged when you or someone you know has a serious health crisis.
Links for articles discussed during meeting:
Plant-based meat is a simple solution to climate woes – if more people would eat it (msn.com)
Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer: Study (medicalxpress.com)
Carnivore Diet Studies (3 Prominent Sources & Key Benefits) (carnivorestyle.com)
When Well-Meaning Guidance Causes Harm
Even with the best intentions, nutrition advice can create unintended consequences: fear, rigidity, shame, or inner conflict. This discussion looks at the ethical tension between supporting clients and overwhelming them — and asks us to reflect on messaging that may have once felt helpful but, in hindsight, became too narrow or burdened. Where is the line between empowering someone’s health journey and adding pressure they never needed?