Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Morra
Hi Katie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always knew I would end up in health care. As a daughter of a dentist and pharmacist who were also the son and daughter of a dentist and pharmacist, and as a sister to a psychiatrist and neuropsychologist, it was almost engrained at my core. Originally, I followed what seemed to be the sibling footstep and went to school to become a psychologist, obtaining my undergrad in Psychology with a Biology minor. I took a semester off after undergrad to shadow various health care providers in order to truly see what spoke to me and this is where I stumbled upon nutrition and functional medicine.
Back to school I went, for a second undergrad and eventually my Master’s degree in Applied Nutrition. I chose to advance my education by becoming one of the first 1,000 practitioners certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine, which is viewed as a prestigious governing body to functional medicine training and education. At that time, it was mostly seasoned medical doctors going back as more of a second career shift and then there I was a young 20 something nutrition professional jumping in from the start.
My professional path diverged somewhat uniquely in that I was fortunate enough to work at a sought-after, insurance based clinic which is a rare find and job to have in the functional medicine space. Not every clinician has the opportunity to accumulate this level of practical experience early in their careers. This allowed me to work directly with thousands of functional medicine patients over several years, gaining plentiful hands-on experience, developing protocols that are not only theoretically sound but have been proven effective through real-world application.
Fast forward to present day, I am the founder and owner of a functional medicine and nutrition consulting and educational platform, Gut Honest Truth (more to come on this!).
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Part of being a business owner or leader is the monthly, if not weekly, perseverance of obstacles. They may be little or they may be monumental but it’s a part of the deal.
It is not that I am without challenges but when you are more prepared and flexible around most obstacles that you feel less burdened and overwhelmed.
I put a lot of intention into each behind the scenes business choices I made to get to where I am and still present day. I am always placing each brick to the foundation of my future business, even before it comes to life. Almost as a way to overcome the foreshadowing of obstacles both in my personal life and business growth.
I learned a lot over the years between my father owning his own health care business and guiding me along the way. To this day I still call him for advice even when I know the answers just to be sure I am mentoring with someone more seasoned that has principles and morals that align with me.
I was like a sponge over the last few decades, I was always in a position to soak it all in; what to do, what not do, what clients desire and what really rubs elbows the wrong way when it comes to business.
I try to focus on navigating what I have learned from those before me, and what I continue to learn in my current business, versus solely how I feel things should be or go, and that helps me overcome obstacles or my emotion towards them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gut Honest Truth?
Gut Honest Truth is a virtual functional medicine consulting practice that focuses on the health of the gut, hormones and detoxification. Our team specializes in second opinions from a functional approach.
Functional medicine is a personalized, root-cause approach to healthcare. It encompasses a comprehensive system for assessing, treating, and preventing chronic illnesses. The main objective is to determine the underlying factors that contribute to an individual’s health dysfunction and help to support them to function as a well-oiled machine again. By delving into a person’s unique circumstances, functional medicine practitioners consider various factors such as diet, genetics, hormonal changes, and lifestyle choices as potential causes and treatments for diseases.
Our team has worked closely with thousands of individuals, using a combination of comprehensive lab work, supplement protocols, dietary and lifestyle improvements to uncover the root cause of inflammation, autoimmune disease, irritable bowel syndrome, food sensitivities, histamine reactions, stubborn weight, hormonal imbalances and other chronic disease states.
Additionally, I am the founder and president of GHT Academy:
GHT Academy is a virtual functional medicine and nutrition training platform, meticulously crafted to support healthcare practitioners at every stage of their professional journey. At GHT Academy, we are driven by a clear mission: to bridge the daunting gap between theoretical education and practical, real-world clinical application. There is an extraordinary opportunity for functional medicine and nutrition professionals to revolutionize patient care. However, we recognize that entering the field of functional medicine can be as overwhelming as it is exciting and that the impact you have on your patients is directly linked to the confidence and competence you bring to your practice. That’s why our program goes beyond just imparting knowledge—we focus on the assurance that you can put everything you’ve learned into practice effectively, come Monday morning. The success of your business and client outcomes are at the heart of everything we do and our team is there to support your growth every step of the way. We’re here to help you build the comprehensive toolkit you need to excel in this field and make a lasting impact on the lives of those you serve.
Among our offerings, our membership program stands as a cornerstone of our educational model. This flagship program is meticulously designed to provide clinicians with the hands-on tools, strategies, and insights they need to seamlessly translate their knowledge into effective patient care. It’s more than just a learning experience; it’s an immersive journey with like-minded individuals that empowers you to elevate your practice, ensuring that you can confidently address the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in functional medicine.
We have had the honor to work with diverse professionals, including nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physician assistants, chiropractors, registered dietitians, physical therapists, certified nutrition specialists, and health coaches, all eager to elevate their approach to healthcare.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I didn’t necessarily learn this directly from the Covid-19 Crisis but the pandemic further affirmed my approach to business. Your business needs to be flexible or you are a sitting duck. You have to be ready to revamp and not have such black and white offerings at all times based on where your clientele is at financially, mentally and energetically. As someone who trains business owners in health care, I too often watch people cling to ‘their offer’ and what the world or a business coach has told them it should look like and they tend to be the same businesses that are struggling behind the scenes. When we have fluidity in our thoughts and are able to harness creativity within the business, we have a better fighting chance at survival.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.guthonesttruth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guthonesttruth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guthonesttruth/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theguthonesttruth
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gut-honest-truth/id1436911574
Image Credits
Jade Nikkole Photography
