Professional dancer, singer, and actress Olivia Alair suffered from debilitating migraines most of her life – to the point she was experiencing them daily. She also struggled with anxiety and uncomfortable acne.
That all changed, however, when she started working with a Restorative Health Practitioner…
“I really wanted answers as to what was going on. I saw numerous doctors, but none of them were able to help me. It wasn’t until I worked with an RHP who used testing that I finally got answers.”
In less than one month of working with an RHP, Olivia’s life began to transform. She learned she had a severe gluten allergy and, immediately after removing gluten from her diet, her severe migraines stopped and her anxiety eased up.
In fact, Olivia hasn’t had a single migraine since.
But, Olivia’s healing didn’t stop there.
USING TESTING TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
Feeling the best she had in her entire life, Olivia knew her practitioner – who leveraged the Institute of Restorative Health’s methodology to help Olivia resolve a number of nagging health issues – was on to something. “The root cause approach resonated with me so much that I kept going deeper and deeper to see what else I could heal,” says Olivia.
It wasn’t long before Olivia enrolled in NTA’s Nutritional Therapy Practitioner program, determined to learn more about how to support her health. It was perfect timing, too, as it gave Olivia a new focus in the middle of the pandemic when shows were largely shut down and performing jobs were scarce.
Immediately after graduating as an NTP, Olivia enrolled in IRH’s Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing. “I loved what I was doing in school and my own experience working with an RHP opened my eyes to the power of testing,” Olivia shares.
Within weeks, Olivia was using what she was learning in IRH with her friends and family. One by one, they started getting amazing results. “Their energy came back and they were feeling so much better than before – it was so rewarding and gratifying,” says Olivia. It was at this point she knew she wanted to work as a practitioner helping others achieve their health goals and, in a matter of months, had established a practice that was able to support her while shows remained closed during the pandemic.
But, it wasn’t just becoming a practitioner that changed Olivia’s life.
Once shows were back in session, Olivia saw how her work as a performer changed, too. “I grew up in a family that was very health conscious. My mom was into nutrition. So, I knew the importance of taking care of my body. But, I didn’t always know ‘how’ to do that. Testing allowed me to take care of myself on a much deeper level. Not only has it helped me resolve chronic symptoms, but it’s absolutely improved my singing and dancing performance. I now use what I’ve learned through IRH as a preventative measure, which has been key to improving my performance. My goal is to make Broadway and, now that I know how to support my body, I truly believe that is possible.”
HELPING PERFORMERS PRIORITIZE THEIR HEALTH
Looking ahead, Olivia would love to use her RHP work to help fellow performers reach their professional goals. “Oftentimes, shows aren’t the ‘healthiest’ of environments,” says Olivia, “with many dancers and singers pushing through 12-hour training days. Sometimes the mentality is ‘just pop a tylenol and get through it’. I think a shift is starting to happen and I’d love to support that and bring more education and awareness into dance studios.”
In the meantime, Olivia is working on building her first course focused on gut health and digestion. Designed for individuals suffering from bloating and IBS symptoms, this course arms them with the foundations they need to get to the root cause of their concerns. While she still works 1:1 with a few clients, she’s back to performing full-time as a singer and dancer. Her new course will allow her to support more individuals while she’s training and traveling.
TIPS FOR MULTI-PASSIONATE PRACTITIONERS
Wondering how Olivia juggles it all? We did too! Olivia was kind enough to share how she’s managed building her practice while returning to performing full-time. Check out her top tips below:
Structure creates freedom: Key to Olivia’s time management is establishing structure and having a plan. “It’s so easy to overwork. Instead, create a schedule and stick to it,” says Olivia. This might mean there are times you need to back off from client work and that is OK as sustainability is key to long-term success.
Have a morning routine: Similar to the point above, Olivia swears by a consistent morning routine as it helps anchor your day for success. For Olivia, this looks like waking up, taking a few deep breaths, and journaling before jumping into anything else.
Don’t underestimate the importance of alone time: So much of Olivia’s work is spent with other people that she cherishes her time spent solo. A non-negotiable for her is some solitude at the beach – at least 3 times per week. No music, no podcasts, no people. Just alone time to meditate and reconnect with herself.
Show up as you are: Most of Olivia’s clients come from Instagram or personal referrals. At first, Olivia wanted her IG account to be 100% professional. But, she realized that she connected more with the right clients when she just showed up as herself and shared her own personal story. Not only is this less time consuming, but it’s more fun, more genuine, and more effective. She also recommends being honest and upfront that you have services to sell – give value, educate your audience, but then ask for the sell, too!
Invest in yourself: According to Olivia, the number one thing individuals can do to build their practice is to invest in themselves and she highly recommends they start with IRH – “It can be scary to think about enrolling in a program – ‘Can I handle the school load?’, ‘Can I really do this?’ – but, even if you don’t work with 1:1 clients, it is so worth it for your own health. I tell everyone about IRH.”
“IRH has been the greatest blessing and it has supported me in so many ways,” says Olivia.
Want to optimize your health and the health of others? Apply for our foundational class, Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing. Like Olivia, you’ll gain the skills and confidence you need to start getting your clients life-changing results in less than 12 weeks!
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FAQ
These frequently asked questions expand on the clinical themes in this case study, including root-cause investigation, testing, and practitioner application.
Who can benefit from a root-cause approach to chronic symptoms?
Individuals with persistent symptoms that have not responded to conventional care may benefit from a root-cause approach. This model focuses on identifying underlying drivers rather than only managing symptoms. It is often used in cases involving chronic migraines, digestive complaints, anxiety, or skin issues.
How can functional testing help identify root causes of chronic symptoms?
Functional testing can help identify underlying factors contributing to chronic symptoms. In this case, testing revealed a severe gluten allergy that had previously gone undetected. Identifying root causes can allow for targeted interventions that address the source of symptoms.
Why might chronic symptoms persist despite seeing multiple doctors?
Chronic symptoms may persist when underlying causes are not identified. Standard care may focus on symptom management rather than investigating root contributors. A root-cause model prioritizes identifying and correcting foundational imbalances.
How can identifying food sensitivities affect chronic symptoms like migraines or anxiety?
Identifying problematic foods can significantly reduce chronic symptoms in some individuals. In this case, removing gluten eliminated daily migraines and reduced anxiety. Dietary changes can be a powerful intervention when food reactions are present.
How quickly can symptoms improve after removing a triggering food?
Some individuals experience improvement quickly after removing a triggering food. In this case, migraines resolved within a month after gluten removal. The timeline varies depending on the individual and severity of dysfunction.
What role does gut health play in chronic symptoms?
Gut health is often considered a foundational area when investigating chronic symptoms. Digestive imbalances can contribute to a wide range of concerns, including bloating and IBS-type symptoms. Addressing gut health is often a starting point in a root-cause framework.
How can a root-cause approach support performance and prevention?
A root-cause approach can support both symptom resolution and long-term performance. In this case, testing and targeted care improved overall health and helped support singing and dancing performance. Preventative use of testing and nutrition strategies may help maintain resilience.
Why is testing valuable for preventative health strategies?
Testing can provide insight into health status before symptoms become severe. In this case, testing was used as a preventative strategy to maintain performance and well-being. Early identification of imbalances can support proactive care.
Can resolving chronic symptoms inspire practitioners to pursue clinical training?
Personal healing experiences often motivate individuals to pursue practitioner training. In this case, symptom resolution led to enrollment in practitioner education programs. Many practitioners begin their careers after experiencing meaningful personal health improvements.
How can practitioners use clinical testing to support clients effectively?
Practitioners can use testing to guide individualized care plans. Testing can help identify underlying contributors and track progress over time. Personalized data can improve clinical decision-making.
How can practitioners balance clinical practice with other careers?
Practitioners can balance multiple careers by building structured schedules and sustainable workloads. In this case, structured time management allowed a practitioner to maintain both performing and client work. Sustainability supports long-term professional success.
Why is practitioner education important for effective client outcomes?
Practitioner education helps clinicians apply structured methodologies and testing appropriately. In this case, advanced training allowed the practitioner to help clients achieve measurable improvements. Education builds confidence and clinical effectiveness.
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Olivia Alair is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Restorative Health Practitioner, and founder of Root Cause Acne Co, where she helps individuals get to the root cause of their bloating and IBS symptoms and bring their body back into balance. You can connect with Olivia on Instagram at @rootcauseacneco.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Margaret Floyd Barry, FNTP MRHP is owner and Executive Director of the Institute of Restorative Health. She’s a functional nutritionist, author, speaker, educator, and real food advocate. Through years of experience working with the most complex client cases, including reversing her own autoimmune condition, Margaret uses a powerful system for restoring health by addressing the root cause of illness.
Today, Margaret teaches fellow practitioners the same proven system she uses to get her clients life-changing results through the Institute of Restorative Health – a two-year comprehensive functional nutrition certification program for qualified health professionals. Margaret also runs Restorative Corporate Wellness, a team of Restorative Health Practitioners facilitating health transformations with corporate clients. She is the author of Eat Naked and its follow-up cookbook The Naked Foods Cookbook. She’s also the host of the Clinician’s Corner podcast, where she interviews some of the world’s top experts in the fields of functional health and nutrition.
