Last updated: 2026 | This post contains affiliate links. If you enroll through my link and use the code FITNESSISTA, you’ll get up to $250 off and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Hiiii friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you’re enjoying the morning. Today I wanted to chat about one of my favorite topics: IHP.

If you’ve been following along here for a while, you know that I’ve spent years building out my nutrition and fitness coaching practice and that I’m someone who genuinely loves learning. I’ve collected a lot of certifications over the years (Precision Nutrition, NASM Personal Trainer, Weight Loss Specialist, Women’s Fitness Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, 200-hour yoga RYT, and more), and each one has added something meaningful to the way I work with clients.

But there was always a gap.

Working with nutrition clients online, I kept running into situations where I knew something deeper was going on – a hormonal imbalance, a gut issue, a mineral deficiency – and all I could do was refer out. Suggesting specific labs or interpreting test results is simply not within the scope of practice for a nutrition coach or personal trainer. I’d added other practitioners to my team who could run those tests, but as my online practice grew, I wanted to be able to do this work myself.

That’s what led me to the Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP) certification, and after completing both Level 1 and Level 2 (over 100 hours of coursework, continuing education, and some very challenging tests later), I can give you a thorough, honest picture of what to expect.

Interested in Enrolling? Start Here.

Use code FITNESSISTA for $100 off Level 1, or $250 off both levels.

IHP Certification Review: What I Learned, What It Costs, and Is It Worth It (2026)

What Is the IHP Certification?

The Integrative Health Practitioner certification was created by Dr. Stephen Cabral, a Board Certified Doctor of Naturopathy, founder of EquiLife and the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute, and author of the international bestseller The Rain Barrel Effect. (If you haven’t read it yet, get it. It’s free!) After nearly 20 years, over 600,000 pages of research, dozens of certifications in the natural health field, and over a quarter of a million private client sessions…. Dr. Cabral is the real deal.

I’d been following him on Instagram for a couple of years and had him as a guest on the podcast before I enrolled. When we wrapped up the podcast, I knew I wanted to learn as much as I could from him, and when

Sharing my opinion on the best functional labs for women. Please keep in mind that this is not medical advice. If you’re curious about testing options, reach out to your doctor or practitioner for best fit for YOU. xo

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you had a wonderful post-Thanksgiving weekend! We are traveling back to Tucson from a super fun trip to Arkansas to visit family.

For today’s post, I wanted to share a bit about functional lab testing. Functional lab tests have helped me a lot personally, and they’ve provided invaluable information for my 1:1 clients. Please keep in mind that these tests are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or illness. Instead, it’s about finding unique information about deficiencies and toxicities within your body. When you have this information, you can create an action plan to help bring the body back to balance. You never *have* to do any of these tests, but it’s an incredible way to gather information about your unique body.

Functional lab testing has become an invaluable tool for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of their health. While conventional lab tests are primarily focused on diagnosing diseases, functional lab tests provide insights into how the body functions on a cellular and metabolic level. For women over 35 who are looking to optimize their well-being, certain functional labs can be particularly insightful.

best functional labs for women over 35

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA): A Window into Mineral Balance

One of the key functional tests for women over 35 is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA). This non-invasive test analyzes the mineral content present in the hair, providing a valuable window into nutrient deficiencies and imbalances. As women age, hormonal changes can significantly impact mineral absorption and utilization. Imbalances in minerals like magnesium and zinc, for example, can influence mood, energy levels, and hormonal health.

Understanding your mineral status through HTMA allows for targeted supplementation and dietary adjustments, as well as lifestyle changes. This nuanced approach can positively impact hormonal balance and contribute to overall well-being.

A peek at my HTMA. I’ll be going over some of this on IG stories today!

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