We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Malaika Woods. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Malaika below.

Alright, Malaika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

My journey onto the road less traveled began in 2011. At this point I was six years into a very busy OB/GYN group practice, doing what should’ve been my dream job. I had wanted to deliver babies since eighth grade and there I was, a full-time OB/GYN. But, for some reason, I felt unfulfilled. I was seeing 30-35 patients every day and my group was telling me I needed to see more. I was not given the opportunity to really get to know my patients and I felt like I was not practicing good medicine. This was not what I had signed up for…

In 2011 I was also one year out from having my second child, a healthy, happy baby boy. One day I stepped on the scale and it said 236 lb! I was not happy. I was tired, crashing in the mid-afternoons, barely making it through my hectic work day. And when I finally got home at night, I didn’t have much energy left to really engage with my husband and two beautiful children.

I felt guilty, but yet I was exhausted. My only comforts were the couch and what I could find in the fridge or the pantry. I was in a vicious cycle that I know so many women experience. And to top it off, I felt really ashamed. How could I talk to my patients about getting healthier when I was on the wrong path?

Something had to change.

I was finally sick and tired of where I was. I put my mind to work and started taking courses on weight loss. I even got board certified in non-surgical weight loss management with the American Board of Obesity Medicine. In the process, I lost 60 pounds between 2011 and 2013. I felt empowered and I wanted to share what I learned with as many women as possible.

In 2012 I also left that busy OB/GYN practice and went into a solo practice.

My journey into weight loss then led me into bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) certification. Once I incorporated BHRT, I started seeing great improvement in my client’s health. But there was still something missing. The missing piece was functional medicine which is all about discovering the root cause. Now I have a complete toolbox to help women discover the underlying cause of their condition and truly unlock their body’s AMAZING potential.

Because I was seeing such amazing results in my own health and my patients’ health I couldn’t keep this to myself!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I think my answer to the previous question also covers this one.
I run a full-time functional medicine practice. Most of the patients I see, women and men, are dealing with hormonal, weight and gut issues. I use the principles of functional medicine to discover the root causes of their health and help them find natural solutions. I can help men and women 1 on 1 who live in the states of Kansas, Missouri and California.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I find that one of the simplest yet most powerful skills that helps me do what I do is the ability and willingness to listen. So many patients barely have the chance to voice their concerns before they are interrupted by their doctors. Unfortunately, this is the nature of the traditional medical world. As a functional medicine physician, who is not under the rule of insurance companies, I can actually spend more time with my patients. They are so appreciative just to finally be heard and not discounted regarding the changes that are happening in their bodies.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been my willingness and ability to speak out about what I do. When I started 13 years ago, there were very few physicians in my area practicing functional medicine. And even to this day, there are likely many traditional doctors in my area who do not completely agree with how I practice medicine. I did not let that fact dissuade me from speaking publicly, holding seminars and getting the message out about the great benefits of the functional medicine approach to achieving optimal health.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://drwoodswellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malaikawoodsmd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/naturalhormonefix
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malaika-woods-md-mph-6a009184/
• Youtube: @drwoodswellness

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