Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I enroll if I'm in Canada?
A: Yes! You can enroll as a Canadian, you will have access to all the same material and be able to order functional labs through the lab just as we train on within Integrative Metabolic Wellness™ Academy.
Just always make sure to check with your local laws, you may need different legal protection.
Q: I have my BSN! What are the requirements to enroll?
A: Nearly any background in healthcare and/or healthcare education should quality you. The program was specifically created with nurses (RN, LPN, NPs) in mind, but other professionals (RT, PA, PharmD) would do well too.
Q: What is the length of the program?
A: The program is self-paced, meaning you can progress through the material as quickly as you would like and are able to. Moving at a steady pace, you should be able to complete the program in six months. This would mean completing roughly two modules and one required reading book per month.
Moving at a quicker pace, you could likely get through the material in three months!
Q: Are payment plans available?
A: Yes! Payment plans are available through Affirm! When you go to enroll, choose "pay in full" and then choose the "pay in installments" option. Affirm allows you to stretch out the payments as much as 36 months.
Q: Are there any classes I can take that would allow me to enroll in the program if I don't have a medical background but still want to enroll?
A: We have something in the works for those of you who want to go through this program but don't have a background in healthcare, my hope is by the end of 2025!
Q: What's the difference between this program and [insert name of other certification program]?
A: I am not an expert in other programs, so definitely research other programs and decide which feels like the best fit for you!
Some things that make Integrative Metabolic Wellness™ Academy a bit unique compared to other certification program I've seen are that:
・it is specifically created for nurses and other healthcare professionals
・the Academy teaches a more pro-metabolic, bio-energetic approach to nutrition
・Integrative Metabolic Wellness™ believes and teaches a whole-body, whole-life approach to wellness
・the Academy includes training on functional lab interpretation and the certification allows you to order labs independently (vs other programs that train on functional labs, but require you to order through them and often upcharge)
Q: Does my nursing license need to be active?
A: Nope! We just want to know you received education on biology, physiology and have a general foundation of how the body functions. With an inactive license, you're safer legally too!
Q: Would this program be helpful if I already have a certification in health coaching/nutrition?
A: For sure! You may already be familiar with a lot of the nutrition education covered in the program, although the IMW approach is a bit unique compared to a lot of mainstream nutrition information out there. The functional labwork and business modules would be super helpful for you though!
Q: Is it all lecture style or are there slides and visuals?
A: The majority of the content is power-point style lectures. The slides are downloadable in case you like to take notes on the slides, along with lots of hand outs to facilitate your understanding.
Q: Will there be referral perks once we graduate? My whole unit is desperate for this!
A: Yes! There is a referral program for graduates and I'm so excited about it!
Q: Will there be tests?
A: Yes! There are quizzes following most lessons, and there will be a written and verbal exam.
The written exam will be essay-style and open book, more so to just ensure you have developed understanding of the main points of this philosophy or can find the information necessary when unsure. You won't have to complete a timed exam or anything like that!
The verbal exam will dive deeper into these concepts. It won't be like a pop-quiz or anything stressful, just a conversation between two practitioners. This also ensures I get to develop somewhat of a personal relationship with each student before certification, which is something I am also looking forward to.
Q: Would this be a helpful program for an FNP interested in holistic?
A: Definitely! You wouldn't necessarily need the certification for lab ordering, but you would still get all the education on treating your patients from a holistic perspective, plus how to interpret lab work from a functional perspective.
Q: Will those with the certification be held responsible for the care they provide?
A: I do not practice law so I don't feel comfortable guaranteeing that you will be protected legally, however it is important to remember that you are not practicing medicine.
You are making recommendations to clients (not patients) to help them restore balance in their body, You do not diagnose or treat any disease. You are not their medical provider.
Within the business documents drive, I have provided the client contract I require each client to sign acknowledging that they do not hold me responsible for decisions they make based on my non-medical-recommendations.
I do have the contact for a lawyer who specializes in protecting health coaches and holistic practitioners, should you want more personalized legal support.
Legal protection will also vary per state, certain states have more strict laws than others.
Q: Is this better for someone who already has a business or someone looking to start one? Will there be mentorship?
A: While the program is specifically created to help someone who hasn't started yet, there is a lot of education that would benefit anyone who has already started their practice and wants to expand their knowledge and/or incorporate new tools with their clients (ie functional labs).
I do hope to offer some 1:1 business mentorship (not included in the cost of tuition) for those who graduate, though my hope is that you wouldn't feel like you need it with everything the program covers!
Q: Can you speak more to the pro-metabolic or bioenergetic approach and how it differs?
A: The very short answer is that a pro-metabolic or bioenergetic approach focuses on supporting the metabolism above all else (the exchange of energy that continuously occurs on a cellular level within our bodies).
In practice specifically, I choose not to look and foods or practices as "good" or "bad," but instead determine how metabolically supportive the food or action is (or is not) and prioritize the most metabolically supportive practices.
Tangibly, from a nutrition perspective, this looks like focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods, taking a more animal-based approach, prioritizing foods that were valued by our ancestors like full-fat dairy, organ meats, mineral rich, vitamin rich, highly bioavailable foods, and focusing on stress reduction.
Q: What labs are taught in the Academy?
A: DUTCH (dried urine panel for comprehensive hormones), GI Map Microbial Assay, and Functional Analysis of Blood Work. HTMA is also taught, but within it's own course since it's such an in-depth test (the HTMA Mastery for Practitioners course is included in the Integrative Metabolic Wellness® Certification program).
Q: Is this program accredited?
A: No. After careful consideration, I decided not to pursue accreditation as I don't like the idea of having to implement certain practices (that I may not believe best support my students) in order to maintain the accredited status.
Q: Will there be any kind of support after graduation?
A: Yes! Our Community Support Group will have ongoing support, training, and resources to help you thrive! The group is available to both students and graduates, but there is also a practitioners-only subgroup specifically for alumni where you can communicate with your fellow practitioners for encouragement and second opinions.
One of the things I struggled with at the beginning of my practice was feeling alone. Having a likeminded community is such a tremendous bonus!
Q: Can we practice in all states?
A: Short answer - yes! The longer answer is that laws vary depending on the state. In some states, there are no regulations surrounding providing education and recommendations that nutrition. In other states, the laws are a bit more strict surrounding nutrition specifically. This doesn't mean you can't practice! We go over this within the Academy, and have legal referrals should you feel you need more support than is provided within the program.
Q: Do you help us get an NPI number for ordering lab tests?
A: No! No NPI number because you are not practicing medicine. Our lab ordering is through our partner Evexia Diagnostics and they allow you to order as an IMWP (the certification obtained through our program), no NPI required!
Q: Practically speaking, how can we apply our certification and education to profit after graduation?
A: Begin taking clients! It's that simple! But also, it's not that simple, which is why I have several business modules dedicated to building a profitable business.
When I went through a certification program myself, I didn't receive any business education. I was still able to fully replace my nursing income in eight weeks, but I had difficulty sustainably growing and scaling by business because I didn't have the tools necessary.
I'm saving you that stress by including everything I've learned in my years of practice regarding growing and scaling a successful, sustainable business.
Do you HAVE to run your business on social media like I have? Definitely not! I know a holistic practitioner who works in a chiropractic office local to me and she does so well! I personally just really love being able to set my own hours and work from anywhere, so that's what I teach within the Academy!
Q: What does work look like after graduation?
A: It can look like whatever works for you! For me, I spend most of my days reviewing labs and building protocols, creating presentations for clients and answering client emails, and creating content for social media (since that's where roughly 80% of my clients come from). I also do some more administrative tasks, like ordering labs, setting up new clients in the client portal, etc. This gives me plenty of time to focus on other projects that will be rolled into my business eventually too, like this program!
Q: Any modules dedicated to function nutrition?
A: Absolutely! Topics covered in the nutritional module include: the standard American diet and it's failures, pioneers of nutrition and the research that influenced the IMW philosophy, macronutrients vs micronutrients, protein, carb, fat, fermented foods, "super" foods, blood sugar regulation, seasonal pattern eating, hydrating, minerals, and other beverages.
I take a foundations-first approach, meaning I believe that nutrition and habits are more important that any type of targeted protocol we could give a client!
In the functional lab modules, we go over specific nutrition intervention for various imbalances we might find.
Q: Do you teach specific protocols for [insert medical diagnosis]?
A: I get this question often, asking if I have a specific protocol for high blood pressure, or POTS, or diabetes, or some other specific diagnosis. The answer is yes and no.
I don't view the body in this way... to a certain degree, a diagnosis doesn't matter. Regardless of what we call it, disease is just a state of dis-ease in the body. There is some imbalance, some irregularity, in the body that we can address.
I also don't believe in blanket protocols for a specific condition or diagnosis because, while two people could experience the same or similar symptoms (even enough to receive the same diagnosis) to root cause is rarely the same for both individuals.
When clients (or practitioners) become hyper-focused on "naming" their disease, they often fail to see that the disease is not the issue at all - it's the result of the issue.
Q: What if the program doesn't work for me? Can I get a refund?
A: I have absolute confidence in your ability to grow and scale a successful business, change the lives of your clients, and radically change your life! This program is designed for you to succeed, if you are willing to put in the work. For this reason, I do not offer refunds.
Please make sure you are 100% before enrolling. I am happy to answer any questions you have to make sure Integrative Metabolic Wellness™ Academy is the right fit for you. Feel free to email your questions to hello@integrativemetabolicwellness.com