Find Your Root Cause

Hi, I'm Julie Olson
and this is my story

  • Female Hair Thinning & Alopecia Specialist
  • Triple-Board Certified Nutritionist
  • Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
  • PubMed Published Hair Health Researcher
  • Working as a Nutritionist since 2012

Please review the frequently asked questions below.

Scheduling Visits

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How do I get started?

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

How do I get started?

Book a Case Analysis Session at this link: In this INTRO call, we discuss your health struggles, difficulties and goals. Then Julie will share our philosophy and structure for how we can best help you achieve your goals. This is an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. There is no “One-Size-Fits-All” program because every person is unique and this will help us determine the best course of action for you. We will dive into the specifics of your condition in the Intake Case Analysis.

There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for all appointments with Fortitude Functional Nutrition.

Failure to provide 24-hours notice when changing or canceling appointment times, along with missed appointments, will result in being charged as follows:

  •  At least 24‐hour notice cancellation = No charge
  •  Less than 24‐hour notice cancellation = 50% of appointment cost
  •  Missed appointment (no show) including phone and virtual = Full cost of appointment


There is no guarantee of immediate re-booking. Rescheduling your appointment will be dependent upon availability.

Yes! In fact, Julie has worked virtually with clients all over the world and it is becoming a more common approach to providing care and support. Many clients find it more convenient, as their time becomes filled with more commitments. Our virtual service is HIPAA compliant than can be done from the comfort of your home…

Some advantages of working together remotely:

  • As a client you are able to connect with a higher qualified practitioner that may not be in your area.
    Most functional labs kits that can be delivered to your doorstep and performed at home.
  • Appointment times are more flexible.
  • You can continue getting support even while traveling, one of the biggest reasons that clients regress in their protocols.
  • You do not lose the relationship you have built, even if you or your practitioner moves to a different location.
  • Since you don’t have to travel, it saves you time, gas, hotel, and eating out expenses. This is especially important for people who live in more remote areas or are just not feeling well enough to travel.

Prior to the appointment, you’ll complete a comprehensive online questionnaire and register in our private portal where you can send us copies of completed labs. This should be completed at least 72 hours prior, which allows Julie to be prepared for you when you arrive.

This important 80-minute session is an in-depth exploration to understand your entire story, health history, and the factors leading up to your current health condition. We analyze your patterns, correlations, and triggers which may range from specific foods, habits, and environmental exposures. Then we start to identify insufficiencies, imbalances, and altered physiological signs. A personalized roadmap with initial action steps will be created for you to get you on the right path. Tailored short-term and long-term goals will be initially established to build on with your follow-up sessions.

The number of appointments an individual requires is different for everyone. Follow-up is crucial for success as the path to great health is never a straight line. We need to gather and incorporate new information, monitor for progress, and make adjustments to your plan to make sure you continue moving in the right direction. This also depends on your goals and your body – the complexities of imbalances and how quickly your body responds. Some clients feel better in a few sessions, for others it takes months or years.

Remember that your health challenges likely took years to develop, so unraveling and healing old problems can take time. Appointments also provide you support, guidance, education, coaching and accountability that is essential for making significant and lasting changes. Because of the dynamic aspect of functional medicine and nutrition, the number of appointments cannot always be predicted until after at least the initial visit. For this reason, Fortitude Functional Nutrition offers value packages to support you for months at a time.

Results will vary, but results are seen by ALL clients that comply with recommendations that are suggested in making the necessary nutrition and lifestyle changes.

There are many factors involved in determining how long it will take for an individual to conquer and obtain their health goals, such as your level of participation and commitment, your individual health issues, and your current state of vitality. It’s important to understand that it’s not reasonable to expect to undo decades of damage in just a few weeks. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, because we’re all unique individuals with different histories, abilities, lifestyles, and needs. This means the healing process will be as unique as you and we like to allow it to unfold naturally as your body permits. No matter how long it takes, we are here to support you throughout your journey.

Once we are working together one-on-one you will be set up with a HIPAA compliant and secure private portal for necessary communication.

  • Check-In Call Phone Meetings: In addition to regular appointments, we offer convenient, 15-minute increments. If you are embarking on a new way of eating, these calls are important to have every few weeks.
  • Email Consulting: If you prefer email instead, we offer Q&A via email. This encompasses time in reading and responding to messages. Therefore, if an email question or request is deemed to be too complicated or involved for a response via email, the client is asked to schedule a phone, virtual or in-person visit, instead of responding via email.
  • Texting: While we appreciate seamless communication with clients, we prefer to use the private portal text chat feature, email, and the phone over private text messaging unless it’s an emergency.

Yes! While we endeavor to provide you with everything you need to become liberated from the “symptom-management” system. Many clients come to realize that a healthy mind, body, and spirit (along with hair regrowth) is priceless, and as such they find comfort and value in continuing with our ongoing support. Whether you choose to adopt a proactive approach to maintain your health, or if you require additional support after your program is complete, we make it easy and affordable for you with a few options. Our goal is to provide the right amount of support to facilitate your goals.

Scheduling Visits

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Health Insurance Options

The cost of any services provided by Fortitude Functional Nutrition will be billed to you directly.

To be recognized by health insurance companies as a healthcare provider, an individual must have a National Provider Identification (NPI) number, which Julie Olson obtained with her credentials. However, we do not accept insurance or directly bill health insurance. But, your medical insurance may provide you a partial reimbursement for our services, especially if a doctor writes a medical necessity referral. If nutrition services were prescribed by your doctor, you may be able to use your FSA or HSA card for services; check with your provider.

Food and lifestyle recommendations have the power to change your health outcomes. You need to ask yourself, “Am I Worth the Investment?” If requested, for a fee we can provide a billing statement for nutrition consulting services that includes your diagnosis code(s) from medical doctors or other licensed providers. You can submit this statement to your insurer for possible or partial reimbursement. We cannot assist you with claim resolution for our services. Our services are out-of-pocket expenses due in full or via payment plans.

  • Most lab tests we offer as part of our functional nutrition testing program are not covered by insurance. These lab fees are included in all paid packages through Fortitude Functional Nutrition. But, if you want to purchase labs A ‘La Carte outside a package, in these cases, you will be charged a fee for a particular test by the lab or through Fortitude Functional Nutrition.
  • The specific tests ordered will be personalized to you based on your initial intake evaluation and may include blood, saliva, urine, hair or stool testing.
  • If not included in the package, we will make every effort to make you fully aware of any additional lab fees that may be incurred and to give you the opportunity to choose which lab tests you feel comfortable paying for.
  • You are under no obligation to purchase any specialty testing.
  • Should any lab results indicate you may need further testing, you will be directed to continue your care with your primary care physician or a relevant specialist, or should you choose you may continue to work with Fortitude Functional Nutrition.
  • At home test kits: these kits come with its own pre-paid mailer, which you drop off at the appropriate carrier or call for pick-up at your home.
  • If your particular insurance company only pays for blood work done at a particular lab facility like LabCorp or Kaiser, you must inform us of this in advance of having blood work done.
See Packages, Programs & Services
We accept cash, check, Venmo, Paypal, and all major credit cards. Payment in full is expected at time of visit unless you have opted for a payment plan.

Foremost, Julie Olson is not a medical doctor, nor does she claim to diagnose, nor treat diseases. Julie at Fortitude Functional Nutrition cannot prescribe or give any advice regarding prescription medications. We can counsel you about food, nutrition, and any other lifestyle components that contribute to your health and well-being. We can communicate with your physician about alternative approaches to decrease and perhaps ultimately replace your prescriptions, but it will be at your doctor’s discretion.

Labs are a vital part of the process of uncovering hidden malfunctions, discovering healing opportunities, and getting to the root cause of your health issues. Without the data and information that labs provide us, we would be doing some guesswork. Therefore, we highly encourage lab testing.
We will determine which lab test(s) will be necessary during our Initial Intake Case Analysis appointment which will depend upon the information discussed at that time. Lab fees are included in packages offered at Fortitude Functional Nutrition. In some cases, follow-up testing may be advisable to monitor, which may or may not be included in your package determined by your testing needs and selected package.
Yes! We offer a 5% discount for each immediate family member (spouse and children).

Billing & Insurance

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What can Julie do for you as a Functional Nutritionist?
As a functional medicine and nutrition practitioner, Julie spends more time with clients, listening to their histories, struggles and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle choices, including food, exercise, stress management and emotional well-being. On a deeper level, functional nutrition determines how the biochemistry of the body interacts with nutrients, hormones, and vitamins, identifying deficiencies and surpluses, as well as addressing chemical processes in the body that may be defective or under/over-functioning. Functional nutrition is highly personalized. It identifies specific factors that are contributing to a given collection of symptoms. As we dig deeper, functional nutrition has testing to identify issues unique to the individual client. The human body is an extraordinarily complex system. By addressing it with functional nutrition, we are essentially putting the body in a place where it can now help repair itself.
The philosophy of holistic nutrition is that one’s health is an expression of the complex interplay between the physical and chemical, mental and emotional, as well as spiritual and environmental aspects of one’s life and being. As such, professionals who are trained in holistic nutrition approach health and healing from a whole-person perspective. Using nutritional education as a primary tool, holistic nutrition professionals emphasize the building of health and disease risk-reduction by approaching each person as a unique individual. This requires fully engaging the individual in her health recovery process and honoring her innate wisdom by working in an empowering and cooperative manner to chart a course to optimal health.
Fortitude Functional Nutrition specializes in female hair loss and gut health because good health (and hair growth) starts in the gut. This is where the majority of imbalances begin including hair loss; hormone fluctuations; autoimmune; skin issues; detoxification; metabolic (pre-diabetes and diabetes); food allergies, sensitivities & intolerances; gluten sensitivity & celiac; weight loss & weight gain; nutrient deficiencies; and chronic fatigue. We refer clients needing specialized help in prenatal nutrition, Lyme disease, oncology, and advanced geriatric concerns to trusted experts who specialize in these areas.

To understand the differences, let’s review a case study:

We have a 35-year-old, overweight female with irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, reflux, and excess belly fat. Her goal is to lose weight and improve digestion. Below, we have summarized the key differences in her experience working with the average conventional nutritionist (or registered dietitian RD) and a functional nutritionist:

Conventional Nutrition Recommendations:

  • Develop a plan or give a generic diet sheet, based on symptoms: Start on a lowfat, low-calorie diet. Count calories – emphasis is on quantity.
  • Eat less meat, sugar, fat and sodium. Eat more fruits, vegetables, legumes, fat free dairy and grains. Some processed/fortified foods may be recommended to achieve vitamins and mineral recommendations.
  • Increase exercise to burn 500 extra calories per day.

Functional Nutrition Recommendations:

Before creating a plan, the functional nutritionist digs deeper to find “what is causing these symptoms?”

  • Are there food sensitivities, intolerances or allergies, environmental toxins, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances in the timing and pairing of foods?
  • Does this person have insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, difficulties detoxifying, depressed thyroid function, high cortisol levels and adrenal stress?
  • What are their sleep patterns and is there a negative relationship with food covering up deeper emotional issues?
  • Further evaluate lifestyle and health history for clues of root causes

Functional Nutritionist recommendations include:

  1. Develop a nutrition and lifestyle plan based on what is causing the imbalance, NOT based on the symptoms alone. Every client’s plan will be different with emphasis on quality.
  2. Then:
    • a. Address relationship to food
    • b. Discuss lifestyle factors that are influencing health – such as exercise, stress, quality of sleep, personal and work relationships and more.
  3. Recommend functional medicine testing to understand what is going on at the cellular and genetic level (see resources tab for full list of tests).
  4. Suggest targeted supplements based on medical history and test results.
  5. Re-evaluate and adjust the plan based on new information and test results.
  6. Continue monitoring and adjusting the plan, based on the client’s response.
During Julie’s schooling, she took some classes in the registered dietitian (RD) program and attended some of the American Dietetic Association meetings (now called Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). Much of dietetics training is based on government guidelines, is outdated, and Julie disagrees with their overall philosophy. Nor was she impressed that McDonalds sponsored their meetings that she attended. Because of Julie’s personal choice and commitment to her belief system, she will never become a Registered Dietitian.
Many of Julie’s clients have seen numerous other conventional practitioners without any success and seek her out as a functional medicine and nutrition practitioner. Many people choose Fortitude Functional Nutrition because it delivers results and transformations. It’s interesting how many clients come in with a long list of foods tested as being intolerant from another practitioner and they don’t know what to eat, what to do, or understand why they tested as intolerant to so many healthy foods in the first place. Many clients also come in with a very large bag of supplements that are not working, and they don’t understand what they are for or why they are taking them in the first place. We are more food based and strive to inform and educate you every step of the way so you can make informed choices and become your own health advocate.
It engages both the client and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. Working with a nutritionist who is trained in functional medicine & nutrition requires the client to be more involved with their healthcare process. While we provide the recommendations and tools to make changes for optimal health, you take the responsibility to modify your habits. You are in the driver’s seat, while we help to navigate. Think of Fortitude Functional Nutrition as your blueprint or GPS or map (for those who travel old school).

Coming to Fortitude Functional Nutrition with the majority of the “puzzle pieces” already figured out is a fabulous place to be. We will take you from intermediate to advance by linking up the RIGHT pieces and helping you simplify + streamline your daily protocol. We’ll also embellish what you already know by bringing to the table a fresh perspective on how to tweak and refine what you are already doing well.

General & Nutrition

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Myth #1: I Can Figure This Out Myself
If information alone were enough, then Dr. Google or Google Nutritionist would have healed you or helped you figure this out. There is an overabundance of health and nutrition information which is conflicting, confusing and constantly evolving. This is why we provide something far more valuable. Being trained in functional medicine and nutrition, we have the expertise to ask you the right questions, order the appropriate functional lab testing to provide you with a deeper insight into your personal health challenges and how to overcome them. Our goal when partnering with you is to help identify the root cause, and then craft a custom-tailored strategy to address your wellness challenges and help you reach your health goals. Since your path to wellness is never a straight line, part of our program is to guide, support, and coach you on along your way. We help you understand the “Why” and “How” and hold you accountable if you get off track or have setbacks. Making long-term changes to optimal health is hard for anyone and immensely hard by yourself! Trying to self-navigate through all this can end up costing you your health!

You can’t make more time, but you can choose how to spend your time. Think of all the hours spent online researching your condition or struggling through the day because you don’t feel well. Usually, this negatively affects your work productivity, social life, and mood. This also can impact your finances, leading to more time worrying about it. “Health is Your Wealth” and your most important asset.

We believe that being healthy is one of the best ways to free up more time to do what you enjoy and spend time with the people you love the most. In order to make the best use of your time and to make this program as convenient as possible, we provide several options to schedule your appointments from in-person to remotely such as virtual-video or simply by phone.

Many of our clients feel like they’ve literally tried everything to address their health challenges. Yet, once we dive into their personal health history it quickly becomes clear that there are many stones still unturned. When a person submits to the thought of having “tried everything” they subconsciously submit to the idea that nothing can be done. But, as they realize why their previous efforts may have not yielded the desired results, it opens the door for new possibilities… especially when they have the right program and support. Most people we speak to have never had any functional lab testing, a nutrient assessment, a customized food plan, or a targeted supplement program. Chances are there are many aspects of health they have not yet explored.

Debunking Common Myths

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How are supplements (nutraceuticals) selected?

The right supplement for the right reason can be highly effective. Julie Olson has extensive training and experience in supplements and will carefully select the most optimal supplementation based on your current health, lifestyle and age-related needs.

These are Fortitude Functional Nutrition’s guidelines when discerning the quality of supplements:

  1. Is the manufacturing GMP-Certified (Good Manufacturing Practices)
  2. Are products certified according to industry standards according to one or more of the following:
  • 1. NPA (National Products Association)
  • 2. NNFA (Nutritional Foods Association)
  • 3. NSF (National Sanitary Foundation)
  • 4. FDA Dietary Supplement GMP
  1. Does the company perform safety reviews and safety studies?
  2. Do double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on humans exist?
  3. Is there human efficacy data?
  4. Are the protein powders FDA-approved medical foods or functional foods?
  5. Do credentialed nutritionists or functional medicine practitioners sell the product?
  6. Are there procedures to monitor the quality of both raw materials and finished products?
There is a pretty big difference. The supplement industry is unregulated so anyone can package anything and sell it with a claim, meanwhile it may not have the stated ingredients in the package at all. Practitioners use manufacturers that provide us with lab assays that verify the potency, purity, and efficacy of the product. This is valued in our industry since practitioners are in the business of helping their patients bring their health back in to balance or assisting in the healing process, not selling supplements.
Yes, you will save up to 15% on all supplements when you sign-up for follow-up appointments or a package. Plus, we use a professional online dispensary, which delivers the supplements directly to your doorstep usually without shipping charges.

One of the benefits of purchasing your supplements through Fullscript, rather than Amazon or online companies like them, is that their products are fully certified and guaranteed – they are sourced directly from the manufacturer.

Products sold through Amazon/other online retailers come from third parties – this leaves them vulnerable to uncontrolled storage methods, and of being counterfeit products. There have been many known issues with counterfeit natural health products being sold over these kinds of online stores.

Many brands (on Fullscript), do not allow the reselling of their products on Amazon. What you may find on Amazon could be old stock, or counterfeit. Additionally, with Fullscript’s direct relationships with the manufacturers, they are on top of any product recalls, as well as guaranteeing the quality of the product by having quality assurance procedures – and, additional procedures in case you experience an adverse event while taking your supplement.

Supplements

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