I’m Kaitlyn - I LOVE guiding people on their journey toward their version of optimal health.

I hope to change the way people experience health – to bridge the gap between conventional medicine and functional medicine. I imagine a world where food is medicine, functional testing is the standard, and everyone is able to live fully in every stage of life. 

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I’m here to help you, and empower you through education to take back control of your health. As an occupational therapist who specializes in functional wellness and nutrition, I’ve dedicated my career to helping you find the root cause of your symptoms.

HOW this journey began...

I have spent the majority of my career working in a hospital, and my entire career working with adults and the elderly. All of the patients that I work with are in the hospital for acute reasons, but the majority of them, if not all of them, are also suffering from chronic illness. These illnesses are being managed with pharmaceuticals or invasive interventions. Unfortunately, these interventions are just bandaids to the problem. Conventional medicine says this is the only solution…

I started Waterside Nutrition, to help people get to the root cause of what is troubling them – wether it is chronic illness, inability to lose weight, gut issues, acne, or hormone imbalances. I desire to help those to truly feel alive again!

It is my mission to educate and empower people to get back in the driver seat and take control of their health through personalized strategies.  

Get to know me a little better

When I’m not working...

I love to spend time outside in the sun. My favorite spot is on the beach, with my chair close enough to where the tide can touch my feet, and a good book in hand. If I'm not at the beach, you can find me at home cuddled up on the couch with my kitties.

I’m always up for...

Cooking a new recipe, playing pickleball, or trying out a new restaurant with friends.

I can't live without...

Jesus, my cats, my closest friends, good food, and sunshine.

My Story

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2018

The Beginning

I graduated from Wesley College with my occupational therapy degree and passed my board exam, becoming a nationally registered occupational therapist. 

2019

Clinical Occupational Therapist

In 2019, I began my career as an occupational therapist working in a skilled nursing facility, working with short term and long term residents. I desired exposure to a higher complexity of diagnoses, so I transitioned to a local hospital. It was a level 2 trauma center with specialties in burns, strokes, and orthopedics. The majority of my clinical experience came from working in a hospital with complex patients. Being exposed to such illness there is what sparked my desire to begin Waterside Nutrition. 

2023

Waterside Nutrition is Born

I created Waterside Nutrition to be a source for those who want a more holistic option to solving their health struggles. I began Waterside Nutrition with the focus on nutrition alone (hence the name), using food as medicine, to help those lose weight and heal from chronic disease. I spent the beginning of my business educating people on the importance of nutrient dense foods and the positive impact they have on their health. I still believe in that paradigm, but I have since expanded Waterside Nutrition to include functional lab testing to gain a full picture of someone’s health to create an even more expanded and personalized plan.

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2024-present

Functional Lab Testing Meets Nutrition

At the end of 2024, I completed a blood chemistry course that taught me how to identify red flags and patterns of dysfunction in clients’ lab work — including organ dysfunction, gut issues, heavy metals, underlying infections, nutrient deficiencies, mineral imbalances, adrenal stress, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation. This training allowed me to expand my work with clients by gaining a more complete picture of their health through blood work and other functional testing. I now create personalized plans based on their results, focusing on nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes. My background as an occupational therapist working in a clinical setting, combined with my expanded knowledge in blood chemistry, positions me to help people achieve their version of optimal health.

Book a one-on-one consultation

Health can feel overwhelming and complicated with all the existing knowledge available, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s work together to create a simple, but effective plan that is unique to your needs. Contact me today to learn more about our services or to schedule your first session!