Functional Medicine for Endurance Athletes

More than performance enhancement—

Together, we’ll balance your hormones, improve energy production, and restore gut health.

You don’t have to keep telling yourself that feeling this way is normal, nor wasting money on endless supplements that have no effect on your health and performance.

You just have to find the root cause of your symptoms so you can fix them - for good. 

Let me guess...

You are a motivated, high-achieving athlete who trains hard, eats well, takes your supplements, yet you rarely feel 100%.

Look familiar?

  • It takes longer than it should to recover from hard training sessions and races, or you’re bonking in races, despite following your dietician’s advice.

  • You struggle to fall or stay asleep no matter how much melatonin or magnesium you take.

  • You feel on edge, easily emotional, like you no longer have resilience to stress.

  • You suspect you have gut issues that result in frequent bloating, gas, burping, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea.

  • You feel there is more you could be doing to optimize your training.

  • You just DON’T FEEL LIKE YOURSELF.

But your doctor runs tests and they all come back “normal” so you’re told, “you're fine.”

How do I know?

BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY HOW MY DISTANCE RUNNER PATIENTS USED TO FEEL, TOO.

(And so did I.) 

I created this program because I have experienced the consequences of over-stressing my mind and body. Simultaneously, I began to see similar patterns in the symptoms and labs of my distance runner patients. They were depleted and it was affecting not only their running performance but their QUALITY OF LIFE.

We know running affects every system in the body, but when we continuously push our limits, we need different and better tools to remain healthy, resilient, and performing at our best.

Distance running can create chronic energy and nutrient depletions that lead to impairments in gut health, which creates systemic inflammation that ultimately affects performance, sleep, mood, and energy levels. 

These symptoms aren’t unique to marathon runners, however, the underlying causes of these symptoms in athletes ARE unique, and this is where conventional medicine falls short.

This program goes beyond the conventional by utilizing advanced diagnostic tools to determine the unique factors that are contributing to your symptoms. Once we have the appropriate data, we implement the best tools available to resolve your underlying causes SUCCESSFULLY.  

Hormonal Change

Endurance training can exacerbate normal hormonal changes that occur in mid-life (30s-50s). This can compound nutrient deficiencies, gastrointestinal symptoms, energy, and mood changes.

Gut-Brain Axis

Gut-brain axis

Systemic immune activity is generated by gut inflammation during intense training. Over time, we may also see changes in neurotransmitters, which impact mood, energy, and stress.

Injury Risk

Microbe

Distance running (without the right program) can cause changes to our stress response and cortisol levels, decrease testosterone, and decrease bone density, which can increase risk of stress fracture or injury.

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU...

There is a better way!

No more guessing or Googling symptoms. No more gaslighting from your healthcare provider. 

You can feel energized, clear, and focused, ready to take on your training while reducing your risk of injury and inflammation.

Introducing Functional Medicine for Runners

A personalized program built just for endurance runners. Designed to help you see results in as little as one month. 

Created to support you during all stages of training, competition, and post-competition recovery.

ARE YOU READY?

This is NOT a cookie cutter program.

We approach testing based on YOUR symptoms and risk factors.

Personalized precision care is what defines functional medicine. This level of precision is necessary when diagnosing and treating the complex, multi-system symptoms that can result from prolonged, strenuous, endurance training.

But when you identify the real causes and treat them with the right tools, not only are performance and recovery enhanced, but so are mood, energy, and quality of life.

Functional Medicine Testing for Runners

Get answers with advanced labwork

  • Endurance athletes are at increased risk for nutrient deficiencies for several reasons. We can measure most nutrient levels through bloodwork and urine testing.

  • Evidence shows most runners have some form of gastrointestinal distress. Sometimes this is poor nutrition, sometimes it’s more. Stool testing detects imbalances in gut flora, parasitic or fungal infection, inflammation, and even causes of hormone imbalance. Breath testing can detect bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.

  • Endurance exercise can predispose some of us to neurotransmitter imbalance & nutrient deficiency. This test provides a metabolic snapshot of what is going on in the body, including mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter balance, toxin exposure, dysbiosis, and nutrient deficiency.

  • Endurance training can cause dysregulation of the axis between the adrenals and the brain. Get an accurate picture of your stress, thyroid, and sex hormones to understand how they affect a multitude of symptoms.

    Your thyroid panel includes TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3 and Thyroid Antibodies, along with nutrients that affect thyroid function.

  • Take a prevention-focused approach to cardiometabolic disease. We offer testing with Quest Cardiometabolic Center of Excellence™ at Cleveland HeartLab®.

  • Measure your IgG sensitivity to a list of the most commonly consumed foods.

  • We can order and interpret genetic testing that offers insight into your personal risk of nutrient deficiencies, detoxification impairments, and optimal training and nutrition strategies for your genetic makeup.

Optimize your Training with Functional Medicine Today

Interested in becoming a patient? Here’s how...

STRATEGY SESSION

$50 / 30min

This virtual consult will answer questions, review symptoms, determine if we are a good fit to work together, and provide you with a suggested plan for next steps for your symptoms, whether or not we decide to collaborate. You will learn the optimal approach to assessing and improving athletic wellness.

ELEMENTAL ASSESSMENT

$375 / 60-90min

This 1:1 appointment is a deep dive functional medicine consultation. We review lab results, discuss your symptoms, & identify underlying imbalances. You will walk away with a plan to optimize both your training & health.

CONTINUED CARE

$200-275/visit

After the Elemental Assessment, you have the option to receive continuous support from me through follow-ups, advanced testing, and collaboration with your team. Discounted visits are available through a Membership (see information below). This is where the evolution occurs.

RISE EMPOWER

A Foundational Functional Membership for Endurance Athletes

$75/mo

  • Unlimited direct text & email messaging

  • Discounted follow up visits ($200/visit)

  • Includes collaboration with your dietician/nutritionist

  • Access to functional lab testing and personalized lab interpretation 

  • Personalized diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations

  • Personalized prescriptions or bioidentical hormone replacement / optimization therapy if necessary (needs quarterly labs and follow up)

  • Functional medicine resources

  • Collaboration with primary care provider if necessary

  • Minimum 6 month commitment

Transform your Training with Rise

Fatigued, loss of endurance, burned out

Energized, strong, vibrant, resilient

Clarity, resilience, rested, refreshed

Anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, memory loss

Regular, smooth, & effective digestion

Bloated, unpredictable bowel movements

Strategic & personalized supplement plan

Confused, taking random supplements

Ashley Shrader IFMCP, DNP, RYT practicing yoga

who am I, anyway?

Hi! I’m Ashley Shrader, DNP, IFMCP

Many of my clients are a lot like me- high achieving athletes.

I’m also a certified functional medicine practitioner with a passion for gut and hormone health. I believe we all have an innate, natural power to heal- partly because I’ve been in your shoes.

With a history of autoimmune disease, I spent years suffering from odd symptoms like fatigue and brain fog, despite training hard and doing all of the “right things.” It wasn’t until I found the root cause that I was able to finally heal.

What to expect when working with an IFM-certified practitioner?

Feel seen and heard

A large part of functional medicine involves understanding who you are as an individual, your detailed personal and family history, the circumstances around your first symptoms, and the experiences you have had with other healthcare providers.

Test, don't guess

No more hours wasted on Google trying to understand your symptoms. Based on your story, I choose only the necessary testing that will help us create your own unique treatment plan based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences.

A comprehensive approach

From chronic illness to disease prevention, functional medicine systematically addresses the unique physical, mental, and emotional needs of all patients. I have a deep understanding of biology, physiology, genetics, social and environmental determinants of health, and the vital connection between mental and physical well-being.

YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL.

YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL.

Stop guessing.

Discover sustainable endurance training and optimal health.

 FAQs

  • No! Any endurance athlete or individual who consistently pushes their physical limits is at risk of chronic physiologic maladaptive changes to nutrients and hormones and can benefit from regular, comprehensive testing and a personalized treatment and wellness plan.

  • Endurance athletes are at risk of nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, and hormonal changes that may not be perceived as symptoms. We are known to push through discomfort! I still recommend this program for you.

  • I accept any gender and member of LGBTQIA+ community.

  • I currently accept patients located in Florida*, Maryland, & Washington, D.C.

    I will be seeing patients in Massachusetts and Virginia soon!

    If you do not live in these locations, reach out or check back soon as this list is likely to expand!

    *Controlled substances can’t be prescribed to Florida residents with this license. Learn more about the Florida Telehealth License here.

  • Functional medicine treats root causes of disease and restores healthy function through a personalized patient experience. Learn more at the Institute for Functional Medicine.

  • Appointments are conducted virtually via telehealth. There may be opportunities for in-person visits in the future.

  • For bloodwork, I can provide you with a lab order to be completed at a local lab. Many of the blood labs we order are covered by insurance.

    Other functional tests such as stool tests, saliva, and breath tests can be sent directly to your home and shipped from your home to the lab. We have partnered with Rupa Health to streamline this testing process.

  • Insurance may cover some or all of the cost of your visits if you have out-of-network benefits.

    To offer the very best in care without the shortcuts often required by insurance companies, our practice is out-of-network, direct pay only. We recommend patients understand their insurance benefits and deductibles. We are happy to generate “superbills” required by insurance companies for out-of-network expenses.

    While we do not see Medicare patients at this time, we will be accepting Medicare patients in the future. Check back soon for updates!

  • Nurse practitioners are ideal functional medicine practitioners due to their dual training in conventional and holistic diagnostic and treatment modalities. Nurse practitioners are trained how to implement a therapeutic encounter through deep understanding of the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of the patient.

  • Yes, we can prescribe medications and hormone replacement therapy, if indicated.

  • I am an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and board certified Nurse Practitioner by the AANP. I received my doctorate from Frontier Nursing University and my Family Nurse Practitioner degree from George Washington University. I have received extensive training in biological sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, blood chemistry and pharmacology, as well as conventional medical diagnosis and treatment. In addition, I have completed comprehensive training in clinical nutrition and lifestyle counseling. I am also a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.

What Rise Clients are Saying…

  • "Here’s to my “MVP” - aka Most Valuable Practitioner, Ashley Shrader, NP!"

    I had a “team” of providers who I went to for deep tissue massages, chiropractic care, acupuncture treatment, nutrition guidance, training advice, and pre-workout energy supplements. Improving my hormone health through meetings with Ashley was the last piece of the puzzle for this 55 year old former 400-intermediate hurdler turned distance runner. It took me 5 years to qualify for the Boston Marathon, but I made it and ran and danced my way through all 26.2 miles of the course! I didn’t even try to PR…. I just celebrated and soaked up the day. I’ll always be grateful to the team that helped it happen and Ashley’s health advice was a big part of my fitness and ability to qualify and then “party” the day away! Thank you for your invaluable health guidance and support, Ashley! You’re forever a part of my Boston experience!”

    -CT, 127th Boston Marathon Finisher

  • "I cannot recommend this practice more."

    I have dealt with chronic symptoms and I was told by numerous doctors that I was “fine” even though I felt horrible. I’m young, active and generally healthy, and knew I shouldn’t feel this bad everyday.

    I came across Rise and I’m SO glad I did. Not only is Ashley extremely kind, intelligent, compassionate and thorough but she also really genuinely listens to your needs and wants you to feel better. She offers thoughtful treatment suggestions and holistic approach is backed by science. In my short few months of following her treatment plan, I have never felt better. My brain fog has lifted, I feel lighter, happier and like myself again. I’m so grateful to have found Rise and I would HIGHLY recommend anyone who is thinking about making an appointment to do so!

    -VR

  • “She was intuitive in looking deeper in areas I had never considered.”

    I’ve had many women ask me who I use for my ‘women stuff’ and I tell them, Ashley Shrader. She LISTENED intently to concerns I had and was intuitive in looking deeper in areas I never considered. If you are looking for an NP that knows hormones, autoimmune issues, and LISTENS, I highly recommend her!

    -JB

  • “I will never forget your kindness.”

    I will never forget your kindness, thoughtfulness, patience, and personal interest in making my life, journey healthier, in both body and mind. Our paths connecting was life altering for me. I do not have all the words, but can tell you how much I have appreciated all you gave me through this journey, both professionally, and personally!

    -DS

  • "She doesn’t stop at a diagnosis..."

    Ashley is one of the most intelligent providers I’ve ever worked with. She doesn’t stop at a diagnosis but truly wants to find the deeper underlying causes and address those. She’s compassionate, a great listener, works hard for her patients, and has a desire to keep learning as functional medicine continuous to improve. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! She’s one of the good ones!!!

    -RM

  • "She will dive deep into your health..."

    Dr. Shrader is not only incredibly knowledgeable in the field of functional medicine, she is also one of the kindest humans on the planet. She listens, is compassionate, and will dive deep into your health to look for root cause issues. She is one of the best out there— Can’t recommend highly enough.

    -SR