Hi, I am Kim Shackleford!
I am a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Health Strategist, and most importantly a super proud mom! I am here to help you reclaim your life. As a nutritionist, trained in a functional medicine approach, I look at the whole person not a specialization of an individual body part. Each person has a unique physiology and predispositions, but genetics are a very small part of your destiny! I provide a root cause approach to finding the dysfunction and deficiencies that are creating symptoms and conditions. These symptoms are your body’s way of showing an imbalance. I have seen many clients reverse and resolve conditions and frustrating symptoms through the restorative power of food and supplementation.
I have learned that your diet can be joyous when you gradually start substituting healthier options for things that you love. Eating a balanced, anti-inflammatory, whole food, organic, properly prepared, nutrient-dense diet is the key to transforming your health. Progress not perfection! My passion and desire for health began during my years of competing as a national level athlete within the NPC Figure division. I was a NPC NC State Judge for bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini, and men’s physique since 2004 in turn creating a niche market. I was inspired by sport specific nutrition, and worked with all levels and types of athletes. During this time, I owned and operated two fitness facilities for 8 years. Nutrition was a key element in competition as well as weight loss for clients.
What brought me here? The love for my son. I made a shift when my son, Kanaan, was born with Down Syndrome. He had many of the medical issues associated with down syndrome, one being AVSD open heart surgery. All I heard from conventional doctors was congenital heart defects, extra chromosomes, low muscle tone, limitations, therapies, metabolic disorders, etc. I just knew there had to be more out there for him to live his life to the fullest.
Like a lot of us, my personal experience with my son created a spark, igniting me to go through over 3 more years of school with NTA, RWS and GAPS as well as continued deep research, learning to be proactive in Kanaan’s, my own and my clients’ health. Through these experiences, I developed a much broader vision for optimal health.
Upgrading your nutritional status is the best way to heal and prevent disease. I work heavily with integrative and conventional doctors, psychologists/therapists, chiropractors, and other holistic practitioners. My focus begins with leaky gut and how that leads to digestive disorders, mood/ sleep disorders, gut/ brain connection, inflammatory conditions, skin and autoimmune conditions. I also address toxic exposures, infections, and detoxification. I absolutely love my work and what I do with my clients guiding them to a healthier life!
My Own Health Journey
As a child I was diagnosed with OCD, trichotillomania, and ADD. By the time that I got to high school I had severe sinus itching and sneezing, which later became extreme chemical sensitivities. I was seen by doctors and their only avenue seemed to be ways to try and mask the symptoms. Crazy right!?
Following my focus on Kanaan’s birth and challenges by 2009 I was not feeling well. My thyroid labs were “normal” so I was told several times. I decided to have an expanded panel done with an instructor in school. This is a typical example of why you need more information than the two thyroid markers or basic blood work that the conventional labs pull. I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Within a few years of changing my diet and healing my gut, my autoimmune condition continues to stay in remission. Noticeably in 2017, I had unrelated symptoms which incrementally increased and expanded over that time. I know how hopeless and frustrating it can feel to not be able to find answers or someone that is knowledgeable. When I was at my sickest, I remember how bad my brain fog was, I could not make decisions, find words, or stay focused. The severity of my fatigue was debilitating but yet I looked fine so no one understood. I did 3 functional labs on myself and found that I had mold toxicity. If it were not for these expanded functional blood panels, I would still be suffering to this day. Due to these life events, I am able to see the magical moments and become the bridge to helping others feel re-energized without food dogma and restrictive diets.
Imagine waking up in the morning feeling full of life and being able to be your best self instead of dragging through the day trying to mask symptoms just to start all over again. Stop living in survival mode, the truth is that you really can heal and thrive with the knowledge of these three things:
- The real root causes behind what you’re experiencing
- What is actually going to get you better may be a process
- How to apply the information properly for your unique body, symptoms, conditions, and circumstances and to live it day in and day out with ease- For good!
I hope to be a team on your wellness journey. No matter who tells you there is not a possibility to heal or that there is only one way, it is just absolutely not true. They are not asking the right questions and digging deep enough to find the source. Food is powerful medicine! Listen to your innate wisdom to influence your health. I will work tirelessly to get you off the never-ending hamster wheel of disappointment and unanswered questions. It’s never an all or nothing, let’s ease you into living your best life by reaching out for my help today!
