Inspiring Conversations with Heather Fitzgerald of Strategic Nutrition & Holistic Therapies

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Fitzgerald.

Hi Heather, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins with my move out to Southern California after I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition Sciences. I began my career in Nutrition & Dietetics upon my move, interning with an Eating Disorder Specialist. After a couple of years, I then moved on to working in different specialty practices with physicians, where I counseled patients on their diets and reviewed test results.

Some of the specialists that I worked with included gastroenterologists, plastic surgeons, endocrinologists, oncologists and physical medicine. I primarily specialized in Disordered Eating and Medical Nutrition Therapy. I always held 2 or more positions, gathering knowledge and experience before venturing into my own private practice. One particular endocrinologist that I worked in 2004 sparked my interest in functional medicine, hormones and metabolic disorders. I then moved on to work with several doctors in their practices, overseeing their hormone and nutrition programs, counseling patients and gathering clinical experience. Finally, in 2014, I branched out and solely went into private practice in Brentwood, where I am still working presently. It has been a journey, to say the least, and I have learned so much along my path and continue to grow and expand, both personally and professionally. I absolutely love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. In hindsight, I feel very lucky that I knew what career path I wanted to be on from the start, which I know is not always the case with many people.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t know anyone who’s been without challenges or obstacles in their life, either or both, personally and professionally. Although I worked in different areas of medicine and have counseled thousands of patients throughout the years, I think the challenges I faced were wrapped up in mistakes that I made, which in turn, helped me learn and grow. Mistakes are human but can be defeating and break down one’s confidence, but I used those experiences to help me become a better clinician and more self-aware, personally. In all candor, some of my most difficult challenges were heartbreaks that I faced in my personal life when my marriage didn’t work out. I had to essentially rebuild my own life after being with my husband for nearly a decade.

When relationships reach a breaking point, whether it’s one sided or both parties have reached a point where there doesn’t seem to be any other way other than breaking up, it’s very painful. But it’s more painful to stay in an unfulfilling relationship or one where you don’t feel heard or understood. And, through the process of finding yourself again, as a single person, it can be overwhelming and even paralyzing at times to continue to work and be present in your life while going through this process. It felt like I was a newborn when my marriage ended and I struggled to find my own center, all the while continuing to work and see patients. But, in hindsight, these trials and challenges made me so much stronger and although changes can be uncomfortable and even unbearable at times, I endured and came out of that experience a better, more well-rounded and conscious individual. It also helped me in my work, as I was completely able to relate to my patients who were going through similar difficulties in their lives.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Strategic Nutrition & Holistic Therapies?
I am a Registered Dietitian & Functional Medicine Practitioner, which, if some don’t know what that is exactly, it is the practice of utilizing nutrients, vitamins, minerals and botanicals in place of prescription medications whenever possible. It also focuses on finding the source of one’s issues, not simply treating one’s symptoms. Western Medicine’s approach to patient care is all about treating the symptoms versus actually looking at the root of the problem, imbalance or deficiency. I specialize in Disordered Eating, Metabolic Disorders, Micronutrient and Hormone deficiencies. My brand represents personal care, targeted therapies and strategic approaches to preventing disease with eating the proper diet and cultivating a lifestyle that supports one’s health and wellness goals. Because no two individuals are alike, each patient is treated as such. So, depending on the patient’s complaints or issues, I will determine what type of diagnostics are necessary after doing a complete history and intake with the patient. I utilize some very progressive lab testing and diagnostics to identify the source of the patient’s problems. By replenishing deficiencies of essential nutrients, rebalancing or replenishing hormones, and identifying risk factors, we can begin to rebalance and revitalize each patient, creating short- and long-term strategies for preventing the diseases of aging.

In the past five years, I have added on some remarkable therapies called Peptides, which has completely changed my patients’ quality of life. Peptides are groups of proteins found naturally in the body. These peptides are used for treating many different issues and ailments, including, Obesity, auto-immune conditions, muscular-skeletal injury repair, improving gut health, helping athletes perform better and preventing cancer– among many other conditions! I’m always looking to expand my knowledge and offer the most progressive lab testing and diagnostics to help identify the patient’s issues and to also be proactive in prevention and detection of risk factors and disease states. I recently have added on a new blood test that is truly a game changer–it tests for 50 of the deadliest cancers and is called the Galleri Cancer Screening Test. This test now provides people an opportunity to catch and intervene some of the deadliest cancers at a much earlier stage than ever before, versus identifying them when it’s become a Stage 3 or 4, where the treatments are far riskier, invasive and less effective. This test saves lives and prevents the patient from having fewer or no options to treat the disease. I am very passionate about sharing my knowledge and educating patients on these advances in diagnostics as well as how and why they care for themselves and their families.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I feel that I have to give the credit mostly to my clients at this point in my career. Without them, I would not have the inspiration and commitment to always learning and growing, per my desire to continue to help people find solutions in their health where other practitioners couldn’t. My client’s stories that I’ve heard and witnessed, of overcoming obstacles, challenges and their persistence in getting through the most difficult and painful times, is what truly feeds my passion. It is so gratifying to be able to support my clients in reaching their personal health and wellness goals. And in many cases, my clients have been my motivation for pushing through my own difficulties. We are all in this journey together, we just have to make those connections with others. A little bit of compassion, understanding and empathy goes far and that’s what fills my life with meaning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heatherfitzrd.com
• Instagram: heatherfitzrd