We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Mehraban recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

There are definitely many heartwarming stories throughout my career. It is hard to define only one heartwarming story. It is truly fulfilling being in the functional medicine space because of the impact it has on my patients.

A common story involves a person struggling with brain fog, fatigue, digestive issues, and other symptoms that have significantly impacted their quality of life. Through functional medicine testing, we uncover underlying imbalances, including gut dysbiosis and hormonal imbalances.

Over the time working together, my patients see significant improvements. Their energy levels increase, their digestive issues diminish, and gain a mind-body connection that was previously not there.

The most touching moments are when I see my patients with big smiles and tears in their eyes. Anytime my patients make improvements, even if small, it is heartwarming. Especially when they share that they never imagined living a life filled with such abundance, and as they become more in tune with their body and make changes, their health markers also improve immensely.

Seeing my patients reclaim their lives and happiness is incredibly rewarding. Every patient’s journey is unique, and being able to witness and support their transformation is truly a privilege.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello beautiful humans! I’m Jessica Mehraban, a board-certified Functional Medicine PA-C. Professionally, my primary focus is on personalized medicine, where I tailor health protocols to unique needs. Daily, I witness individuals regain their vitality, overcome chronic health challenges, and discover a renewed sense of well-being. My mission centers around promoting longer and healthier lives while empowering individuals to live a vibrant, joyful, and mindful life.

My journey has always been fueled by a passion for merging nutrition with medicine and sharing the profound impact of functional medicine worldwide. This passion led me to establish “healthylifebyjess” on Instagram, where I’m dedicated to educating and empowering others about holistic nutrition and cultivating a balanced, self-loving lifestyle that nurtures body, mind, and spirit.

One particularly exciting recent launch is my e-book, “Healthy Gut, Happy Life.” As Hippocrates said, “All disease begins within the gut.” I created this e-book to help empower people on how to maintain a healthy gut and provide them with real-life tools they can incorporate into their daily lives. The gut is the foundation of overall well-being, and everyone should be empowered with the knowledge of how to foster a healthy gut.

Additionally, I’m thrilled to share that I recently co-founded The Functional Social Club, a group membership program. Through The Functional Social Club, members gain access to nutritional recipes, health hacks, educational workshops, and even our master class, all while fostering a sense of community on their wellness journeys. You can follow our journey on Instagram (@functionalsocialclub).

As I continue to expand and share my passion for well-being, I look forward to connecting with more individuals who are ready to embark on a journey towards a healthier and happier life.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that conventional, symptom-focused approaches to medicine were the only way to help a patient. I was trained to diagnose and treat diseases primarily through medication and standardized protocols. While this approach is effective for acute conditions, I found that integrating additional holistic methods and root cause functional medicine can be particularly beneficial for the prevention of illness, longevity, and overall wellness.

The major turning point started during my rotations in PA school when I noticed that patients had a huge medication burden and a lack of education on diet and lifestyle. This situation prompted me to explore functional medicine more deeply. I began to understand that a holistic approach, considering the interconnectedness of the body’s systems, could be more beneficial.
I decided to enroll in the Institute for Functional Medicine after becoming a PA-C to gain more knowledge and skills in this field. I delved deeper into preventative care and longevity, listening to many podcasts, reading research papers, and working with mentors in the functional medicine space. I learned about functional medicine concepts, and one that comes to mind is “inflammaging,” which refers to chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with aging and various chronic diseases. Understanding inflammaging has been crucial in my approach to treating and preventing chronic illnesses.

Embracing functional medicine has transformed my career, allowing me to provide care that truly changes lives. This experience is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most important lessons come from rethinking and relearning what we thought we knew.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

At the heart of my practice, empathy and compassion allow me to build strong, trusting relationships with my patients. When I deeply understand their experiences and concerns, it creates a supportive environment where they feel heard and valued, essential for fostering life-changing health transformations.

Additionally, I view my patients as partners in their health journey. Embracing a collaborative approach means we work together as a team towards their wellness goals. This partnership fosters a sense of empowerment in my patients, inspiring them to take an active role in their health. By involving them in decision-making and encouraging their participation, we can achieve transformational and sustainable changes that positively impact their well-being.

These principles of empathy and collaboration not only enhance patient care but also contribute significantly to achieving better health outcomes and building a fulfilling career in functional medicine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healthylifebyjess.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthylifebyjess/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@healthylifebyjess