Empowering Wellness: A Woman’s Journey to Transform Lives Through Lifestyle Medicine

IDAHO FALLS – Observing individuals enhance their health and change their lives is what brings a smile to Michelle Smith’s face, and she has recently established a medical clinic to facilitate that.

The woman from Idaho Falls inaugurated Transformative Journey Healthcare at 749 Oxford Drive in September. It is dedicated to assisting individuals in achieving better health and “reversing chronic ailments,” including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. By guiding clients to alter their lifestyle habits, improvement in these conditions is achieved.

“Individuals are seeking a fresh perspective,” Smith expresses to EastIdahoNews.com. “They’re not primarily searching for a medication to alleviate the symptoms they have experienced over the years. They desire genuine health.”

Smith quickly clarifies that medication can be beneficial and she often prescribes it for clients who are in critical condition. However, the aim is to implement minor alterations in hopes of ultimately decreasing or entirely discontinuing the medication.

New patients undergo a 15-page evaluation regarding their dietary habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, stress levels, and additional aspects of their lifestyle. Smith then collaborates with the patient to devise a customized plan that meets their specific needs.

“The most challenging thing a person will ever undertake in life is modifying their lifestyle,” Smith remarks. “Habits become deeply entrenched.”

After four months of operation, Smith has attracted 73 clients throughout eastern Idaho.

Tina Anderson, 54, from Pocatello, became one of her patients early in the process. At that time, she was grappling with her weight issues and also faced high blood pressure and kidney problems.

“I was in the early stages of kidney failure,” Anderson shares.

She collaborated with Smith to formulate a health strategy.

Four months later, she has shed 20 pounds, normalized her blood pressure for the first time in years, and improved her kidney function by 31 points.

All these successes were accomplished through dietary alterations and increased physical activity.

Anderson mentions she has more vigor and feels better than she has in a long time, and couldn’t be more satisfied.

These outcomes are precisely why Smith established the clinic.

“When I observe patients achieving this level of success, it fuels my (passion),” she states. “It’s the reason behind my work.”

Smith has been involved in the healthcare profession for numerous years. She is a nurse practitioner and also holds a board certification as a lifestyle medicine practitioner from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine — the only one in eastern Idaho.

“The nearest one is located in Burley,” Smith mentions.

Approximately 20 years ago, Smith states she was around 40 pounds overweight, which initiated her own healthcare journey. Her achievements and the insights gained throughout have significantly contributed to the establishment of this clinic.

“I embody what I advocate,” she asserts. “My passion lies in health and wellness.”

Smith aims to see her practice flourish and eventually move to a larger facility. She hopes to recruit another practitioner to join her practice in the future.

“I would truly enjoy being busy enough to entice (the individual in Burley) to relocate to Idaho Falls and be part of the clinic,” she expresses.

Transformative Journey Healthcare is operational from Tuesday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is also open for half a day on the first Friday of each month.