We recently connected with Emily Roedersheimer and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

It’s been 4 years now since I started my own practice in functional medicine and left the traditional medical model. I was so excited but scared to death! My training in medical school taught me nothing about how to start a business! Some of it was fun – like naming my company and choosing a logo. But much of it was overwhelming – registering my business with the state, marketing myself and my services and creating a new framework for how I wanted to practice medicine.

The thing that got me through was just taking it one step at a time. I would tackle one challenge and then move on to the next. Not looking at all that needed to be done at one time but chunking it down into bite sized bits so it felt less overwhelming.

Starting your own business is not for the faint of heart. My advice for anyone considering it is to have a really strong “why”. Having a passionate reason to start your business is crucial for getting you through all the ups and downs.

Emily, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Dr. Emily Roedersheimer. I was practicing family medicine in central Ohio for 15 years when I realized I needed to do things another way. I learned about the power of functional medicine at a conference I attended and the idea of finding a root cause to chronic illness shifted my whole outlook on my career! What a new concept that really made so much sense to me. I began to utilize functional medicine in my own life and was able to stop the 2 injectable medications I was using for years to control my rheumatoid arthritis. This really spurred me on to spread the word about functional medicine and leave my lucrative practice to do just that.

In my practice I help clients who don’t want to take medications for the rest of their lives. Or the person who has been told that their tests are fine but they still feel tired all the time. Or the ones where the medications are not working. I give a new perspective to help these people find answers to their suffering. The most common problems I work with are chronic fatigue, gut issues, autoimmunity and stress.

I am most proud of the way I can practice medicine now. I no longer work for the insurance companies. I have a cash based practice and can spend the time I need to to help get to the root cause of what’s going on for someone. I no longer feel rushed and behind from the moment a visit starts. In spending this time, I can help transform someone’s life because I understand where they are coming from and I have the time to educate them on how to feel better.

My practice, Balanced Living Functional Medicine, is on a mission to help alleviate suffering and allow our clients to lead a full, vibrant life without the burden of health concerns!

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

I think other than my training, the most helpful thing for success in my field (or any field) is our mindset. I see this in my patients as well. Our thoughts are so powerful and they truly create our reality. We can shape our reality by managing our thoughts. Spending some time each morning on being mindful of my mindset, gives me the best chance for success in business and in life.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My most effective strategy for growing my practice has been word of mouth referrals. And to help bolster those referrals, I need to do the best job I can with each client. I need to believe in their ability to regain health, to guide them on the steps to take and to help hold them accountable to taking those steps. I have 2 health coaches that help me with this strategy. As a team, we give our clients more support than they have ever had from a medical office. And a personalized plan that fits for them. Giving my all to each client is what has really helped my practice thrive!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.balancedlivingfm.com
• Instagram: @balancedlivingfxmed
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dremilyroedersheimer