A Little About Me
I am certified in functional nutrition by both the Nutrition Therapy Association and the Association of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioners. I take a special interest in helping high-achieving women with chronic digestive struggles. I successfully completed Dr. Allison Siebecker's SIBO Pro Course training, as well as post-graduate work in Chinese herbal medicine the White Pine Institute. I am also a Licensed Bodywork Therapist and hold a Master’s Degree in Japan Studies from the University of Washington. Prior to becoming a functional medicine practitioner, I worked as a Geological Engineer and later as a Foreign Affairs Analyst for the Department of Defense. I lived, worked, and studied in Tokyo, Japan for 3 years, where I first experienced the power of Chinese medicine and nutrition. I trained as a competitive swimmer from childhood onward and rowed in the Big Ten with the UW-Madison Lightweight Crew Team from 1999-2001. I later took up triathlon for several years. After college, my lifelong GI issues became increasingly problematic and challenging, and were never fully resolved by standard medical approaches. My experience of the power of Chinese medicine during my Japan years, alongside the failings of conventional medicine, catapulted me onto my current path of helping others struggling with chronic GI and autoimmune issues.
Courtney Cowie

FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION PRACTICTIONER
HELLO, I'M COURTNEY


Why I became a functional nutritionist
MY STORY
My story begins with chronic tummy aches as a kid. The kind where I would come home from school and need to lay down on the couch with a pillow under my tummy for 30 minutes until I felt better. I was always healthy otherwise and played soccer and swam on swim team through high school, and then participated in rowing and triathlon in college. I began having bouts of loose stool in my 20's and my first colonoscopy at the age of 29 left me with "nothing wrong" except an IBS-D diagnosis. I began to educate myself. I changed my diet. Despite that, I remained on the rollercoaster of struggle and, several years after my IBS-D diagnosis, I received a second diagnosis of microscopic colitis. I had officially entered the land of autoimmune disease. Disheartened but emboldened to get to the root of what was going on, I began to see a steady stream of both conventional GI docs, as well as functional practitioners. Some were able to connect a few dots, but otherwise, I was left to struggle alone. This ultimately led to me take matters into my own hands, complete two functional nutrition certifications (NTP and FDN-P), and learn the skills I finally needed to help myself. And this is only the short version of my story! My relentless pursuit of knowledge to get to the bottom of everything contributing to my health challenges became the launching pad for me to help others going through similar struggles. I want to save you the time, the consternation, and the failed attempts that plagued me for years before I saw progress. I am here for you to offer my understanding, my personal experience, my deep knowledge and training in functional medicine, and my coaching skills to help you finally get better!

Manifesto
MANIFESTO
I believe...
No two people have the same root triggers or hidden stressors contributing to their symptoms or diagnosis.
Foods that work well for one person's digestive system completely disrupt another's. Everyone has unique nutritional needs.
There is always more than meets the eye to what's going on with your health. It's important to test, not guess.
Health challenges are a gift. They give you an "early warning" light that something is very wrong - and not just with your physical body - but also with your relationship to yourself.