From Exhaustion and Pain to Stability and Energy: Jen’s Story
Shared with permission. Identifying details changed for privacy.
When Jen first came to Rise Functional Medicine, she described her life in a way I hear all too often:
“I was exhausted, constipated, gassy, in pain, having hot flashes and night sweats, and not sleeping well.”
Despite her best efforts, she felt like her body was working against her.
Life Before We Started Working Together
Jen’s symptoms were more than just inconvenient—they were affecting every part of her day.
She told me:
“I had to use all of my energy just to get through the workday. By the time I got home, I had nothing left for my family or friends. Weekends were spent catching up on chores because I was too tired during the week.”
This isn’t uncommon.
When digestion, hormones, inflammation, and sleep are all dysregulated at the same time, the body becomes locked in a cycle of depletion.
Jen wanted her life back—her energy, her comfort, her confidence. She wanted to feel steady in her own body again.
Her Plan: Foundational Repair + Personalized Support
We created a structured, stepwise plan focused on:
Reducing inflammation
Repairing gut function
Regulating hormones
Stabilizing energy and blood sugar
Supporting mitochondrial and liver pathways
Decreasing night sweats, hot flashes, and sleep disruption
Clarifying which foods were helping—and which were hurting
This included a guided detox and gut-repair phase paired with a structured elimination and reintroduction framework. During this time, Jen was supported by both myself and our Functional Nutritionist, ensuring she had guidance not just clinically, but in the day-to-day implementation.
What Changed
Within weeks, Jen began noticing meaningful shifts:
Digestive Relief
“I’m having regular bowel movements and I’m pain-free.”
This alone changed the way she navigated her days. She no longer feared eating before meetings or presentations.
Hormone & Sleep Improvements
“My hot flashes and night sweats have dramatically dissipated and my sleep is evening out.”
Her nervous system had space to breathe again.
Energy & Confidence
“I have more energy, which has definitely impacted my quality of life for the better. This has also increased my confidence as well.”
Instead of collapsing into bed at the end of each day, she finally had energy left for her family—and for herself.
Facing Fears & Doing the Work
Before starting, Jen was honest about her hesitation:
“I was mostly worried about the work that this approach would entail.”
This is incredibly common. Foundational healing does require attention, structure, and consistency. But her perspective changed quickly.
“…after I started feeling better, it was well worth the work.”
What Jen’s Story Teaches Us
Jen’s journey is a powerful reminder that:
Digestive symptoms aren’t “just digestive”—they affect hormones, sleep, energy, mood, and metabolic health.
Inflammation can cause both physical symptoms (gas, pain, bloating) and systemic ones (fatigue, night sweats, poor sleep).
A structured reset paired with long-term support can create clarity and momentum that short-term diets and supplements cannot.
When you give the body a coherent plan, it responds.
Most importantly:
Healing is entirely possible—even when symptoms feel overwhelming.
Where She Is Now
Jen continues to check in, maintain her progress, and deepen her understanding of what her body needs to feel balanced and resilient.
Her story isn’t about perfection—it’s about transformation and reclaiming a sense of ease in her everyday life.
If You See Yourself in Jen’s Story
You’re not alone. These symptoms do not mean your body is failing you—they mean your body is asking for support. And with the right structure, clarity, and guidance, that support can change everything.
