Why I Enrolled in the FDN Program in My Forties—and How It’s Changing Lives
By Dee Davidson
When I first discovered FDN, I wasn’t searching for another certification—I was searching for answers.
As a mom, health coach, and woman in midlife, I had seen both personally and professionally how people were being failed by a system that manages symptoms instead of uncovering the why behind them. I wanted to know what was really happening inside the body—not just on paper, but on a cellular level.
My Turning Point
My story with FDN began over ten years ago when my youngest son was struggling with anemia and digestive issues that no one could explain. We went from the pediatrician’s office to specialists at major hospitals, only to be told “everything looks normal.”
Deep down, I knew something was being missed. God, in His grace, led me to a local FDN-P named Maggie—someone who used functional lab testing to uncover what traditional medicine had overlooked. Within months of following a data-driven, holistic protocol, my son began to thrive again.
That experience planted a seed that changed the course of my career and my life.
Why I Chose FDN in My Forties
Years later, in my forties, I reached a point in my coaching career where I wanted to offer more than mindset work, fitness routines and nutrition basics. I wanted science, data, and precision.
Enrolling in the FDN program felt like a leap—studying again at this stage of life was intimidating! But I knew it was the only way to bridge the gap between holistic healing and scientific accuracy.
The program dives deep into the body’s key systems—hormones, digestion, detoxification, energy production, the immune and nervous systems—and teaches practitioners how to identify healing opportunities through functional labs like:
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) – for stress, adrenal, and thyroid balance
GI-MAP – for gut health, bacteria, and inflammation
DUTCH Hormone Test – for hormone production and cortisol rhythm
Total Tox Burden Test – for heavy metals, mold, and environmental toxins
Reed Davis’ Mission and Legacy
FDN was founded by Reed Davis, a clinical nutritionist and holistic health pioneer with over 25 years of experience. Reed saw the same pattern I did—clients tired of chasing symptoms, taking endless supplements, and still not getting better.
His philosophy, “Test, Don’t Guess,” became the cornerstone of the program. Instead of treating symptoms, FDN practitioners identify the root cause imbalances that prevent the body from functioning properly, and then use foundational principles (like diet, rest, exercise, stress reduction, and supplementation) to restore balance naturally.
Today, Reed’s work has trained thousands of practitioners worldwide—including me—and together we’re helping people take back control of their health with real data and a clear path forward.
How It’s Making a Difference for My Clients
Since becoming an FDN-P, I’ve been able to help clients who’ve spent years feeling unheard finally find clarity.
Clients no longer have to guess why they’re exhausted, bloated, moody, or gaining weight despite eating “clean.” We can see it on paper—nutrient deficiencies, gut imbalances, hormonal stress, toxic overload—and then create targeted, personalized protocols to support true healing.
The transformation is profound.
Women reclaim their energy and joy.
Men and children find balance and focus.
Families finally understand the why behind their symptoms.
This is the power of functional lab testing and the FDN framework—it gives people hope backed by evidence.
From Overwhelmed to Empowered
Going back to school in my forties wasn’t easy. But every late night studying and every test result I’ve reviewed since has reminded me why I said yes.
Because when you understand the body at this level, you stop chasing symptoms—and start seeing healing that lasts.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, unheard, or tired of surface-level answers, functional lab testing may be the missing piece.
Learn More
Listen to my conversation with Reed Davis, founder of FDN, on the Confidently Balance Your Hormones podcast HERE
Ready to learn which labs might help you most? Schedule a Discovery Session Here
Dee Davidson is a Board-Certified Functional Health Practitioner based in North Attleboro, MA, specializing in hormone balance, mineral restoration, gut health, and women’s wellness. She helps women ditch surface-level solutions and address the real root causes of fatigue, hormonal chaos, and burnout—so they can finally feel like themselves again.