Premium Coaching and Nutrition to resolve abdominal pain, constipation, and bloating

Meet the Founder and CEO Elizabeth Callahan

For most of my career as a Physician Assistant, I worked within the traditional medical model. I met countless people struggling with chronic digestive symptoms—bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and persistent acid reflux—who were told their labs were “normal” or were offered yet another medication, only to experience temporary relief or repeated relapse.

Over time, I began asking deeper questions: Why aren’t these symptoms resolving? What’s driving them beneath the surface? And what options exist beyond simply managing symptoms?

That curiosity led me to functional nutrition and gut health. I began studying how food sensitivities, gut dysfunction, inflammation, and stress responses can quietly disrupt digestion—and how targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies can help restore balance.

Today, I work with individuals who are tired of guessing what they can eat, living with daily discomfort, or feeling dismissed. My approach focuses on identifying root causes, supporting the gut, and helping you understand how your body responds to food—so you can reduce symptoms, rebuild trust in your digestion, and feel confident in your choices again.

I combine clinical experience with functional, personalized care to help you move from frustration and restriction to clarity, comfort, and lasting relief.

3 Roots many branches

3 Roots, Many Branches" was the first thing I learned with functional nutrition as I started into my course with Andrea Nakayama. This model is used to explain why people stay sick and how to resolve chronic health issues.

The core idea is that while a person may have "many branches" which are the different symptoms or diagnoses. The issues typically stem from just "three roots." What we do mostly is focus on the branches, what we need to do is reassess the roots.

The 3 Roots

If you only treat the "branches" or the symptoms, you are just pruning the tree. To truly heal, you must address the three foundational roots:

Genetic Predisposition (Genes): This isn't just about the DNA you were born with, but Epigenetics—how your diet, environment, and lifestyle "talk" to your genes. Functional nutrition looks at how to turn off "bad" gene expressions and turn on "good" ones.

Digestion (The Gut): Often called the "foundation of health," this root focuses on how well you break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste. Since 70–80% of the immune system resides in the gut, a "weak root" here can cause chaos throughout the rest of the body.

Inflammation: This root addresses the body's immune response. While acute inflammation is healing, chronic inflammation is a primary driver of almost every modern disease. Identifying what is "triggering" the inflammation (food, stress, toxins) is key.

The Many Branches

The "branches" are the symptoms and diagnoses that a patient actually experiences. In conventional medicine, these are often treated as separate problems, but in functional nutrition, they are seen as interconnected outcomes of the three roots.

Examples of "Branches" include:

Diagnoses: Hashimoto’s, Type 2 Diabetes, IBS, PCOS, Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Symptoms: Brain fog, fatigue, bloating, joint pain, skin rashes (eczema/acne), migraines.

Mood/Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances.

Why This Framework Matters

Most people chase the branches. If they have a headache, they take an aspirin (treating the branch). Functional nutrition asks why the headache is there.

Is it a genetic sensitivity to a certain chemical?

Is it digestive distress causing a reaction?

Is it systemic inflammation?

By nourishing the "roots" and the "soil" (your lifestyle and environment), the "branches" often begin to heal themselves without needing a separate protocol for every single symptom.

3 roots and IBS

In the 3 Roots, Many Branches framework, IBS is viewed not as a standalone disease, but as a "branch" symptom reflecting deeper systemic imbalances. The Genetic root provides the blueprint, such as a predisposition toward a sensitive nervous system or enzyme deficiencies; the Digestion root is often the primary driver, where issues like SIBO (bacterial overgrowth), low stomach acid, or microbiome dysbiosis disrupt normal motility; and the Inflammation root acts as the fuel, where a "leaky" gut lining or food sensitivities trigger immune responses that cause pain and bloating. By addressing these three roots simultaneously—rather than just masking symptoms with anti-diarrheals or laxatives—you resolve the underlying dysfunction that allows IBS to persist.

What are the most common IBS trigger

Food:

High-FODMAP & Inflammatory Foods

FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that the small intestine has trouble absorbing. They ferment in the gut, causing the "branch" symptoms of gas and bloating.

The Triggers: Garlic, onions, wheat, beans, dairy (lactose), and artificial sweeteners (sorbitol/xylitol).

How to Avoid: Switch to Low-FODMAP alternatives like sourdough bread (limited), ginger, chives (instead of onions), and berries. Focusing on "Low-FODMAP" for 2–4 weeks can help calm the initial inflammation

Stress:

The "Fight or Flight" Response

Stress isn't just "in your head"; it physically shuts down the Digestion Root. When you are stressed, your body redirects blood flow away from the gut, slowing motility and causing pain.

The Triggers: Work deadlines, emotional conflict, or even "rushed eating" (eating while standing or working).

How to Avoid: Practice "Rest and Digest" habits. Take 3 deep diaphragmatic breaths before your first bite to shift your nervous system into the parasympathetic state, and avoid screens while eating to ensure your brain is signaling your gut to produce enzymes.

Environment:

Microbiome Disruptors

Environmental factors can damage the "soil" of your gut, leading to the Inflammation Root.

The Triggers: Antibiotic overuse, chronic NSAID use (like ibuprofen), and environmental toxins (pesticides or mold). These can cause "Leaky Gut" or SIBO.

How to Avoid: Prioritize filtered water and organic produce (to avoid glyphosate/pesticides) when possible. If you must take antibiotics, work with a professional to follow a "re-inoculation" protocol with specific probiotics (like S. boulardii) to prevent the environment from becoming imbalanced.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Our cancellation policy varies depending on the booking type. Generally, cancellations made 24-48 hours prior to check-in are eligible for a full refund. For specific details, please refer to your booking confirmation or contact our reservations team.

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Yes, we provide convenient airport pick-up and drop-off services for our guests. Please contact us in advance to arrange your transportation and share your flight details. Additional charges may apply.

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Breakfast inclusion depends on the booking package selected. Some rates include a complimentary breakfast, while others may not. Please check the details during your reservation or contact us for more information.

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