My Patient's Transformation
When Christina came to me in her late 40s, she was tired of the endless cycle of medications and injections for her knee pain. Frustrated and stuck, she felt like nothing was working. But as I began evaluating her, it became clear that her pain wasn't just mechanical—it was fueled by inflammation.
Together, we made bold changes. Christina eliminated gluten, dairy and sugar from her diet. Almost immediately, she felt the difference—her knees began to heal, and her mood lifted. Even more remarkable was the clarity she gained when she reintroduced those foods. She could now see just how much they had been holding her back.
With newfound confidence, Christina made smarter choices, and the results were astonishing. Not only is she now pain-free and moving freely, but she's also shed 50 pounds, feels more energized, and enjoys deeper, more fulfilling relationshps with her family. Christina didn't just relieve her knee pain; she transformed her entire life.
My Journey
Inflammation & Healing
I’ve been a Physical Therapist for over 25 years, primarily helping people with pain—back pain, knee pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. Over the last 15 years, my work has evolved beyond just treating pain to restoring the health of organs and systems. I’ve helped patients overcome complex health issues like post-concussion symptoms, hormonal imbalances, mood disorders, trauma, gastrointestinal problems, and more.
In the clinic, I’m like a detective—doing precise, hands-on work to identify and restore the organs, nerves, vessels, and tissues that need support. For many of my patients, treatment also includes stress management and awareness, nutrition, exercise, and sleep, all to decrease inflammation and optimize health.
The Power of Food
My health journey started early. Since first grade, I’ve struggled with weight, mood swings, and GI issues. I was an overweight child—teased, picked last for teams, and dreaded field day because I always came in last. I remember going to the bathroom at school and just not being able to get clean. I was gassy and so embarrassed!
Growing up, I ate Froot Loops, McDonald's, KFC, white bread, and Kool-Aid. My mom was constantly dieting—following plans like the SetPoint Diet with strict calorie counts. She’d hang 1200, 1400, and 1800 calorie charts on the fridge. I remember the day she decided to help me lose weight—it was the 5th grade. She’d cook skinless chicken breasts, buy Diet Coke, and we’d do Richard Simmons' exercise routines before school.
By seventh grade, I had my “glow-up,” but my mood swings, back pain, and heavy periods didn’t go away. Low-fat eating was all the rage, so I counted calories, avoided fats, and drank diet soda like water. But I was still gassy, uncomfortable, and embarrassed.
In college, things got more complicated. My mood swings worsened, I had knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and my GI issues were worse than ever. My periods were heavier and more painful, and I was still counting calories and fat content in a journal. I noticed milk made my symptoms worse, so I started watching my intake.
Later, during triathlon and Ironman training, I learned more about the power of food. I made healthier choices, but my mood swings and GI issues persisted—worse than ever! Despite going hardcore gluten-free and taking doctor-prescribed supplements, nothing changed. I was training for Ironmans, but still felt awful, and my knee and back pain lingered.
I began to realize that dairy and sugar, especially combined, were huge triggers for my gut issues. Sometimes, though, there wasn’t an obvious cause. I kept food diaries and did my best to limit dairy and sugar. Frustratingly, the symptoms remained.
In 2015 my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Her diagnosis lit a fire in me to learn everything I could about Alzheimer's as I wanted to help her AND I did NOT want that as my destiny. I dove deep into Functional Medicine, learned about my microbiome, SIBO, environmental toxins, liver health, genetics, hormones, and food sensitivities. After testing, I found out that gluten and grains were causing high inflammation in my body. I finally had the evidence to make the life-changing decision to eliminate gluten and grains for good.
Immediately, I felt leaner and more comfortable in my clothes. Though I still enjoyed wine and the occasional ice cream, I focused on staying mostly gluten, grain, dairy, and sugar-free. But my gut issues and post-pregnancy acne still didn’t fully resolve.
I tried diets like Whole 30 (made it to Day 27) and took breaks from alcohol, but didn’t see much difference. In my Functional Medicine studies, the Elimination Diet kept coming up, but I resisted—thinking, “I’ve already given up so much; what’s left—coffee, wine...?”
My mom died in 2022. The following year, after a series of emotional challenges and fluctuating hormones, I hit a low point in my mood and energy. I sought help from a doctor specializing in women’s hormones, and the week before my appointment, I had an emergency appendectomy, and during the surgery, they discovered I had fatty liver disease. It was incredibly frustrating—I thought I had been eating so healthy!
That’s when I knew I had to hit the reset button. The doctor’s office had a $1500 reset/elimination program, and I knew it was time to invest. I also had a good friend who joined me in going alcohol-free for the month and I was held accountable by both my investment and doctor. It was hard, no doubt, but I discovered which foods had been silently fueling inflammation in my body. Finally, I had the clarity I needed to take control of my health.
Today, I’ve pieced together my 'secret sauce'—a combination of clean eating, dry brushing, sauna sessions, exercise and supplements tailored to my genetics. It’s a lot of work sometimes, but the benefits are absolutely worth it. I feel better than I ever have.
I’ve learned that understanding your body takes time and persistence, but the rewards are undeniable. Now, I’m ready to help others find their own 'secret sauce'—a formula for health and vitality that works for them. You don’t have to go it alone.
COURSE FEATURES:
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Step x Step Weekly Video Tutorials
Lessons will include introduction and preparation, eating plan, detoxification strategies, reintroduction phase and next steps.
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Group Web Meetings Following Each Lesson
This is where we will check in with one another and ask questions.
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Interactive Assignments
Food journaling, meal planning, symptom tracking and more.
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Progress Tracking
We will assess your progress through our Symptom Survey Forms, self journaling, weight and blood pressure.
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Private Facebook Group Access
Once you join, you become part of our community where we provide lots of motivation and encouragement to one another.
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Unlimited Access to Course Instructor
Need to check in with us before the live call? No problem. We will be checking email and the Facebook group daily.
SPECIAL BONUS:
📒 Journal Template
Join Our Private FOUNDATIONS Facebook Group!
Unlock exclusive access to a supportive community on your journey to better health. Our private FOUNDATIONS Facebook group is where you can connect with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, ask questions, and receive guidance directly from our team. Whether you’re participating in the Power of Food course or simply seeking to deepen your knowledge, this group offers a safe and engaging space to continue your wellness journey. Join us today and become part of a community committed to transforming health through the power of food.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
OWNER - The Shephered Center for Integrative Health
Jennifer Chudy Shepherd,
MSPT, CFMT, FFMT, FAAOMPT, IFMCP
Jen Shepherd, a Physical Therapist, unknowingly began her health journey at a young age, facing challenges such as GI issues, back pain, painful periods, knee pain, weight fluctuations, and mood swings. Driven by her own struggles and unsatisfactory experiences with medical practitioners, she pursued a career in Physical Therapy, determined to offer better care to others.
However, as her own health and patient outcomes stagnated despite exercises, stretches, and joint mobilizations, Jen’s curiosity led her to seek deeper answers. She found mentors who taught her to view the body as an interconnected system of organs and systems working in harmony. Through this holistic approach, she learned how to address the root causes of health issues by improving organ function, which in turn affected the entire body.
Jen's passion for health deepened when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, followed by Alzheimer’s. This personal experience fueled her desire to understand how to prevent diseases commonly attributed to aging. As a Fellow with the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists and a Certified Practitioner of Functional Medicine with the Institute for Functional Medicine, Jen has mastered the art of eating for her genetics, healing her gut and old injuries, and supporting her nervous system to optimize her health as she approaches 50.
Today, Jen helps people across the country who have struggled to find answers from specialists. Through her Integrative Manual Physical Therapy approach, she empowers them with the skills and tools needed to restore their health and thrive for a lifetime.
TESTIMONIALS:
Like many others, I hit rock bottom during the pandemic. My job, which involved traveling to clients' homes and working with moms and babies, came to a halt. Instead, I found myself sitting for hours on end, virtually meeting back-to-back. I wasn’t moving, and as a naturally extroverted person, the isolation hit me hard.
I would often take breaks from my home workspace, retreat to my bed under a weighted blanket, and cry while watching old episodes of Law & Order. The predictability of the show was comforting in such an unpredictable time. But after a few weeks of this, my knee began to swell. I tried stretching and taking more walks, but nothing seemed to help.
My home office is a sunroom, a space that should have lifted my spirits. But the absence of people—real, in-person connections—left me feeling more isolated than ever. My husband went to work, my kids returned to school, and I was left sitting alone, with only virtual interactions.
I finally decided to make an appointment with my primary care physician (PCP), only to discover that after not visiting in three years, I was no longer her patient. She had been my doctor since 1997, and I didn’t even know this could happen. Since my annual OB-GYN visits had counted as my yearly physical (thank you, insurance), I hadn’t needed to see my PCP for a while. So, when I did need care, I made an appointment with the first available provider, who happened to be a PA.
I hobbled into the appointment with my swollen knee, masked up, and followed the new pandemic protocols: the forehead thermometer, the used pen cup, and the floor stickers in the waiting area devoid of chairs. The stress and unpredictability of the world weighed heavily on me.
When I finally saw the PA, I asked if my physical symptoms could be connected to my mental health because I was really struggling. She continued typing on her computer, not even acknowledging my question. I asked again, and she just shrugged. She ordered blood work and sent me for a shot in my knee.
A few days later, I started getting MyChart notifications about my blood work. I waited a week, then called the office for the results. The PA got on the phone and asked what I needed. I told her I hadn’t spoken to anyone about my results. She curtly replied, "You’re fine." I asked about my low Vitamin D levels, and she casually said, "We live in Ohio; everyone has that." I pointed out that low Vitamin D can cause depression, but she didn’t respond.
Fast forward to a $6,000 medical bill, no answers, and still unable to walk.
Thankfully, a friend connected me with Jen. I initially thought, “Oh, physical therapy – we’ll stretch it out for 10 sessions, and I’ll be fine.” But Jen started by asking me about my mental health and what my diet looked like (pasta, obviously). We began by eliminating certain foods, including inflammatory ones like gluten and dairy. I also started trauma therapy and discovered that our bodies hold onto trauma. We even worked out some scar tissue.
Today, I’m down 50 pounds, I exercise daily, and I move better than I have in the last 15 years. Through hard work, my mental health has significantly improved. Interestingly, I’ve noticed that when I accidentally eat gluten, it’s my mental health that suffers the most. I experience extreme fatigue, a lack of motivation, and intense moodiness.
Looking back, I now wonder how much of what I was eating over the years impacted how I was feeling, both physically and mentally. The connection between food and health is undeniable.
When introduced to the idea of doing the Elimination Diet, I was definitely hesitant and unsure if my symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, and throat tightness could even be related to what I was eating.
I was encouraged to start the Elimination Diet by Jen to determine if a part of my diet was associated with my issues. There was a lot of work and preparation to ensure I would have food to eat that did not include items on the list.
The first few days were challenging, and it definitely opened my eyes to how I maybe don’t consistently eat as well as I thought I did. By the 7th or 8th day of doing it, I started to notice changes in my focus and fatigue levels. I continued for 3 more weeks and determined 3 sensitivities as I began to add food back in.
Decreasing or eliminating those foods from my diet has greatly diminished my symptoms. I think everyone would benefit from trying this diet at least once in their life to determine if there is something in their diet that is preventing them from being 100% and also enduring a challenge they can look back on being proud to have accomplished.
After seeing both a gastroenterologist and a colorectal specialist for loose, frequent stools and leakage, I was advised to try biofeedback. I chose to work with Jennifer Shepherd, who used an integrative approach. Through the Elimination Diet, I felt significantly better. Although I started reintroducing foods, life circumstances distracted me, and I didn’t fully determine if there was a specific culprit.
I no longer drink caffeinated beverages and take an Ultra Flora supplement daily. While I’m back on a proton pump inhibitor for GERD, my lower GI symptoms occur much less frequently than before Jennifer’s treatments and the Elimination Diet. Avoiding caffeine, wine, soft cheeses, and dairy seems to be the common factor.
Ready to hit the RESET button and optimize your health?
Power of Food will address potential inflammatory triggers and environmental toxins, promote cellular health and teach you the skills you need to keep your body healthy for a lifetime.
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Our Promise To You
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We are confident that our 8-week Power of Food course will provide you with valuable insights and tools to transform your health. However, we understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned. That’s why we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
During Power of Food we will be incorporating The Elimination Diet. The Elimination Diet is a method to identify food sensitivities by removing specific foods from your diet and then gradually reintroducing them. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) and their answers:
What if I accidentally eat an eliminated food?
If you accidentally consume an eliminated food, note any symptoms but continue with the diet. We'll assess if it is necessary to restart the reintroduction process.
What type of foods will I be eliminating?
Commonly eliminated foods include dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, nuts, shellfish, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and processed foods. Specific elimination lists can vary based on individual needs and symptoms.
Can I eat out while taking the course?
It can be challenging to eat out, as many restaurants use ingredients you may be avoiding. It's best to prepare meals at home where you can control the ingredients or choose restaurants with customizable menus and transparent ingredient lists.
What symptoms should I be looking for?
Common symptoms include digestive issues (bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation), skin reactions (rashes, acne), headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and mood changes.
Will this program help with weight loss?
The primary goal is to identify food sensitivities, not weight loss. However, some people may experience weight changes due to the elimination of processed foods and sugar.
How long does it take to see results?
Some people notice improvements within a few days, while for others, it may take a few weeks. Be patient and consistent.
© 2004 by The Shephered Center for Integrative Health. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional for any health-related concerns or before starting any new treatment.