Todd Ehalt, FDN-P
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
I am an avid learner, always trying to learn more about how I can improve the health and well-being of my clients! Things like new eating strategies to use food as medicine, exercise programming, stress reduction techniques, or supplement protocols, I am constantly working to improve the lives of my clients.
Ultimately this desire and life circumstances is what has lead me from being a research assistant at the National Institute of Health, to one-one-one health coaching for weight loss, to becoming a strength and conditioning coach for a hockey specific performance center in Edina, to getting my Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science, to graduate work in Counseling Psychology and becoming a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner.
FDN and the DRESS for Health Success model of rebuilding health is a health coaching model that allows me to interpret functional labs such as hormones, intestinal permeability, liver function, oxidative stress, gut microbiome health, and food sensitivities to create individualized protocols. These protocols address diet, rest, exercise, stress reduction, supplementation to help create the best health outcomes. It is a holistic approach to health. FDN uses functional testing to search for healing opportunities.
Educating clients and empowering them to take charge of their own health is at the heart of my practice. This process may entail walking hand in hand with them at first in a coaching relationship, but the end goal is client self-care. I want to be a guide and resource for client’s health journeys.
In 2013 my wife and I had a miscarriage, after which my wife was diagnosed with celiac disease. I also found out I had some pathogens in my gut. Using my education, I began my own health journey as well as help my wife. This journey has allowed me to be more empathetic toward my clients, as I know what they may be going through. This empathy has made me a much more affective practitioner.
Functional Medicine and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition have similar goals which are to seeks the root cause of health conditions and restore health and wellness.
- Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P)
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science
- Graduate work towards a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of St. Thomas
- Mayo Clinic internship in exercise physiology.
I enjoy nature and the outdoors, camping and hiking are some of my favorite hobbies. I love competing and love athletics, one fun fact about me is that I previously played hockey for the MN Wild blind hockey team. I was also an alternate to the USA Paralympics Judo Team. I was born with a visual impairment that left me with limited peripheral vision. I live in West St. Paul, am married with one child. Strength training, nutrition and exercise have always been hobbies and one of my biggest passions.