Why I Stopped Settling for “Normal” - And Began Advocating for My Own Wellness
“Clarity comes when we give ourselves permission to look deeper - and believe we deserve answers.”
Listening to My Body & Choosing a New Path
I’m a 56-year-old woman who is six years post-menopause. Overall, I’ve managed this stage of life quite well. But over the past year, I felt I needed a different kind of support for my health. It wasn’t anything sudden or scary - just those subtle signals, energy dips, and quiet feelings that something wasn’t quite right. Things many of us might overlook or brush aside. But I realized ignoring them wasn’t helping anymore.
As someone who is adopted, I’ve never had access to my full medical history. That missing piece sometimes made me feel like I was trying to understand my health with only part of the story - which could be frustrating and lonely. Over time, I understood that if I truly wanted clarity, I needed to take charge and find this information myself.
That was the moment I decided to take my wellness into my own hands.
Why the Traditional Approach Wasn’t Giving Me Answers
Let me be honest - I truly appreciate traditional medicine and all it has to offer. But I also recognize its limits. It is terrific at handling urgent, immediate issues, yet it doesn’t always grasp the nuances of long-term, everyday wellness.
Whenever my labs came back “normal,” I couldn’t help but feel a little unheard. Not dismissed — just feeling like I was part of a system that isn’t always set up to look deeper unless something is clearly wrong. For instance, I have a biomarker that’s always just outside the normal range. When I asked my doctor why she wasn’t worried, she said, “It’s always been like that.” I took that as reassurance, but I still wanted to understand why it was that way — and I couldn’t quite get that clarity.
And when I was training hard for 29029 in 2024, my wellness coach suggested I check my iron levels. I felt like I had to write a whole essay to justify that request. It shouldn’t be so hard to advocate for your own health.
What I really wanted — answers, context, guidance — made me see that the system just isn’t built for the kind of understanding I was seeking.
The Moment I Decided to Take My Wellness Into My Own Hands
A few months ago, I made a decision that was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking: I invested in functional biomarker testing. I’ve always been drawn to functional medicine because it encourages us to be proactive rather than waiting until something feels truly wrong before addressing it. It doesn’t replace traditional care— it simply complements it, offering context, nuance, and a deeper understanding of what’s really going on inside our bodies. That’s exactly what I’d been craving.
The investment wasn’t small, and it wasn’t covered by insurance, but luckily, I was able to get it reimbursed through my Retiree Medical Account, which is similar to an FSA. That took some of the financial stress off my shoulders, but ultimately, the decision came down to trusting my instincts and choosing to prioritize my health in a way that felt right for me—more empowered and in control.
I joined a membership with Function Health, which tested over 100 biomarkers—way beyond the usual panels I was used to. I remember feeling a mix of nervousness and hope as I waited for the results. For the first time, it truly felt like I was finally going to get a clear picture of what was happening inside my body.
What Functional Testing Revealed About My Health
When I received my results, it felt like finally fitting together the pieces of a long-standing puzzle. The testing didn’t just show what was “normal” — it helped me understand what I can support, improve, or nurture in my daily well-being.
Many of my systems are functioning well — especially my metabolism and stress hormones — but a few areas were quietly asking for some attention. Some of my heart-health markers, like Lp(a) and LDL, were higher than ideal, so being more mindful of heart-supportive foods will really make a difference for me over time.
I also found a few nutrient imbalances: my omega-3 levels were lower than they should be, and certain markers suggested I might need a bit more B vitamins. Even though my immune system looks strong overall, one marker indicated it could use a little extra care. And hydration? My body would truly benefit from drinking more water.
There were hormonal insights too — things that helped make so much clear. My results showed the natural changes of menopause and a slight rise in thyroid antibodies, which I’ll keep an eye on.
None of the findings were alarming or sudden — but they felt very meaningful. They brought me clarity. They helped me understand what my body has been trying to tell me. And more than anything, they gave me a gentle, caring roadmap for how to support myself with awareness, not guesswork.
How These Insights Are Shaping My Wellness Journey Moving Forward
Once I had real data in my hands, everything changed for the better. Instead of guessing or trying to piece things together on my own, I finally had a clear and supportive roadmap. I wasn’t just following generic advice or hoping that the latest trends would help — I was making choices that truly matched what my body needed and deserved.
One of the things I appreciated most is that Function Health didn’t just give me a bunch of results. They created a personalized action plan that showed exactly which foods and supplements would support me — and which ones might be working against my goals. That kind of clarity made my next steps feel simple, manageable, and within reach.
They also provided a thoughtful plan for follow-up testing. I've already completed my first check-in, and seeing improvements in some of my biomarkers was so encouraging — a reminder that small, consistent changes really do add up.
From nutrition and hydration to supporting my heart health, every little tweak now feels purposeful. My daily routine no longer seems random; it feels intentional, caring, and supportive. I’m not just trying to be healthier — I’m actively caring for my body in a way that honors what it’s been telling me all along.
And, as someone who helps others on their wellness journeys, this has been such a meaningful moment of alignment — practicing the same empowered self-advocacy I love to encourage in others.
What I Want You to Know About Your Own Health Journey
If there’s one thing I hope you take from my experience, it’s this: you deserve to feel informed, supported, and empowered in your health. You don’t have to accept vague answers or push through symptoms that don’t make sense. And you absolutely don’t need to wait until something feels “serious enough” to be taken seriously.
Your body is always communicating with you. Sometimes the messages are loud, and sometimes they’re gentle whispers — but they’re always there. And it’s okay to get curious. You’re allowed to ask questions and seek more clarity about what’s going on inside your body.
And just to be clear: you don’t have to follow the same path I did. Functional testing is just one option — not the only one. Sometimes the biggest changes come from simple steps: finding someone who truly listens, requesting more thorough labs, or slowing down enough to notice your body’s signals.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, dismissed, or unsure — and you're craving more understanding — exploring functional testing might be a helpful step. It was a meaningful turning point for me. And for those wondering, yes — I do have a referral link for Function Health if you want to check it out. No pressure at all, just a resource if you’re ready.
NOTE: The Function Health link above is a referral link, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to use it. I only recommend resources I personally use, trust, and believe can support others on their wellness journey.
Wherever you are on your journey, I hope you remember this:
You are not difficult.
You are not dramatic.
You are not “imagining things.”
You are worthy of understanding your body — fully and clearly. And advocating for yourself isn’t just allowed… it’s powerful.
A Gentle Reminder
As you continue on your wellness journey, I hope you remember to be gentle and loving with yourself. Not every step needs to be big or dramatic—sometimes, the most meaningful changes happen when you simply pay attention: recognizing your energy, noticing your patterns, and trusting your instincts when something doesn’t feel quite right.
Even if you don't have access to all the advanced testing or resources, you can still advocate for yourself in small, powerful ways—asking better questions, choosing providers who truly listen, making decisions that align with how you want to feel, and tuning in rather than brushing things aside.
You deserve to truly feel connected to your body, to find clarity instead of confusion, and to receive support—whether from your care team, loved ones, or most importantly, from yourself.
Taking ownership of your wellness can be challenging, but it’s one of the most empowering gifts you can give yourself. And no matter where you are in this process, know that you’re not alone. We’re all learning, growing, and navigating this path together—one gentle, intentional step at a time.
