Spotlight Series

Guest Name: Emillie Davis

Credentials:  MScN

Emillie Davis: You’re welcome. Thanks for having me. That’s a that’s a lot to say.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Yeah. But we want everyone to know who does it all mean.

Emillie Davis: Yes.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Yes. So, we’ll jump in and into the questions right off the bat. Um, and I would love for you to tell us what made you to decide to go this route with your career and what kind of led you led you to the place you’re at right now doing what you do.

Emillie Davis: Yeah, it’s a great question. And I think like a lot of other health practitioners, we, you know, maybe have some health issues ourselves or a friend or family member or something. And that was partially true for me. Um, I remember really becoming interested in nutrition um, as a public school teacher. Um, and I was shocked and horrified of what we were feeding our children. That’s another story, but it’s just kind of how it began. um always interested in health and specifically nutrition. But that’s that’s kind of where it just like really became a passion and and then through some of my own health issues with uh chronic Epstein bar, if anyone’s familiar, it’s just yeah, many people have it and many people go undiagnosed, but that’s that’s what it was for me. um and how I learned uh more about alternative, that’s a good word to use, some of these um other tools in the tool box, so to speak. I I’d never really known about or accessed any of that as a child or an like young adult. Um and so really learned about kind of yeah these other methods and practices and and things that can be really helpful for people in our health journey and it and it was for me and so then I you know made made a shift um went back to school. I have a master’s degree in nutrition, I think you mentioned, and it’s from a natural medicine university, and that was that piece of it was really important to me. Um, I knew enough going into it that I I didn’t want to be a registered dietitian. Again, like that’s another conversation. Um, but yeah, that’s where my, you know, focus and education and approach comes from is from this like kind of holistic space looking at the whole body. And then the gut health piece came in a couple years into practice. Um, learned about it in school. It was kind of up and coming. It’s like we knew some things about it, but um, I I really started to see the benefits when I started doing this functional stool testing that you talked about. And and so then again, it just kind of my practice and uh approach uh shifted a little bit into like it’s pretty much all I do now because it’s where I see the the most benefit for people.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Awesome. Awesome. Hopefully a good recap. Yeah. Yeah. Um and you kind of talked about this already, but what are some of the key pieces that you think make you different than most other gut people, if you will? Um and obviously like the holistic side of that, but walk us through what’s different about the way you you treat patients.

Emillie Davis: I think it’s a really good question actually, especially as gut health has become more popular. It’s a little buzzy right now, right?

Dr. Betty DeLass: Yeah.

Emillie Davis: Yeah. Which is great. people are um hearing more about it, understanding how important it is, understanding how it’s it’s not um an overstatement, I don’t think, to say the gut is linked to literally everything in the body. And so, you know, as you introduced me, you talked about hormones, you talked about immune health, you talked, of course, digestion, mental health. I work with people with chronic skin issues, etc., etc. So it I mean it’s because the gut is is so connected. Um and what makes me different at least from what I can tell again is like it’s gotten more popular and more practitioners are maybe testing or treating without testing. I you what I hear my clients tell me is that they really appreciate that I use data to drive what we do. Right? A lot of times too, people will come to me and they say, “Well, on all these supplements, whoever recommended these,” and my first question is, “Why? What are they doing?” And they typically don’t know. Um, and that’s that’s just really important to me, that whole process. We’re using supplements and dietary changes in a really strategic way, and it’s it’s based on what is found on on the test that we do, that functional stool test. So I I do I think that’s what makes me different and it’s it’s then combined with my experience and knowledge in nutrition and to me they just they go hand in hand um to create a really good foundation for people.

Dr. Betty DeLass: So very cool. On the heels of that who would be an ideal fit for you? Like what’s the the ideal person that’s like I belong here with you to learn all these things about my body?

Emillie Davis: Mhm. Number one, I do think it’s someone who um is committed to the process. So, I work with clients anywhere from 6 months to 12 months and that’s kind of in like an intensive kind of way. Um doing the testing, doing the changes to the diet, lifestyle, right? I mean, all of those things. And it it number one, it takes time. And number two, it just it takes a a real commitment. And so it’s someone who is committed to the process and and wants to change and wants to change in not just implement changes, but again because it takes time and we’re talking about building a foundation like these are life lifestyle, right? Like these are lifestyle changes. I’m not really interested in working with people who want to lose 20 pounds for their cousin’s wedding in 3 months or whatever. I am not that nutritionist, right? Like I’m I want to teach you about food, what to focus on, what to not to focus on, and create a really long-term sustainable uh habit. Yeah. Love lifestyle habit. So, number one, I think really uh it’s it’s someone who is committed to that and in it to win it, so to speak. Um and and then I think the other piece is people who are you know probably similar to clients who come to you. It’s people who are interested in the other tools in the tool box. Maybe you’ve done testing, maybe you’ve done scopes, maybe you’ve had surgery, maybe you’ve tried medications, may you know all of these other tools and they have uh a place. Um but it’s the people who have had all the tests and tried all the things and nothing’s really working. um and and want to to work on this in a more natural kind of preventative way. Um and and then um I guess the third piece would be like people who hear themselves in the like I’ve tried all the things and nothing’s working. So it’s the kind of chronic symptoms. Um, and if you’ve never addressed diet and you’ve never looked at gut health, which most most doctors aren’t going to recommend or even think about those things. Um, and so that that again is where real change can happen because it’s sort of this inside out approach. Um, so if any of that is resonating with someone, like that’s that’s a good fit for me.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Perfect. And then what’s the process like to work with you? Does someone just sign up on your website? Do they talk to you first? Do they just schedule an appointment? Is it online? Is it in person?

Emillie Davis: Yeah, I mostly work virtual. I do have um an office currently. Um I can I can meet in person downtown Salt Lake or Park City. I do have some inerson office hours, but mostly it’s virtual. And the first step if someone’s interested in learning more um is scheduling a free discovery call. I I love to just be able to meet, you know, someone for a minute and uh they can get an idea of if I’m a good fit for them and vice versa. Um and so that’s probably the best way to reach out and that link is on my website and there’s lots of other information on my website about gut health and nutrition and you know more about my approach and and who might be a good fit. But that’s that’s a good place to start.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Wonderful. Okay, next question for you. What’s something that pe most people don’t know but that you think that they should know about your services or what you do or gut health?

Emillie Davis: Great question.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Yeah, great question.

Emillie Davis: Um, I think u a maybe common misconception I I sometimes will tell people like you can’t probiotic your way out of like bad gut health. It’s it’s more it’s bigger usually and more nuanced than just like someone taking a probiotic or a digestive enzyme. And um yeah, maybe maybe that’s something like it it is yeah it’s bigger and more complex than that and and that’s where like the the time and commitment comes in.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Yeah, totally. Totally. Is there anything special that you want to promote to the audience? any events coming up, any freebies, any discounts, anything that you want to talk about and promote just from a gut health standpoint. It could be any of those things, your choice.

Emillie Davis: Do you know I um I’m I’m doing a a handful of events. I’m trying to think. Um there will be a free event at Aspen Falls. Gosh, I should have had this up and ready to tell you. April 20th, if I remember right, April 21st.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Okay.

Emillie Davis: Um, that’s that would be a great event if you’re interested in meeting me or learning more. Uh, yeah, that’s a free event at Aspen Falls Wellness downtown Salt Lake. Um, yeah, let’s go with that.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Perfect. Perfect. Okay, one of my favorite questions to ask is, what is the main thing that you want to be known for?

Emillie Davis: I want people to know and clients that I work with to walk away um really understanding their bodies better. and and I and I hope that I set them up for, like I said, that long-term kind of success. Um, and so I would love to be known for that kind of, I guess, approach and healing. Um, that the people really walk away understanding what to do and why and um, yeah, being set up for success.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Amazing. Amazing. Great. Where can we find you? What was your website, phone number? How can people get in touch with you?

Emillie Davis: The best way to get in touch with me is probably through my website and then there is a link to schedule that free discovery call. Um, yeah, that’s that’s the best way. So, wholeessentialsnutrition.com.

Dr. Betty DeLass: Perfect. I was just going to say make sure you say the website. Perfect. Well, thank you so so much, Emillie, for doing being on our spotlight series. As everyone knows, um, gut health is important with motility of your colon and, um, pooping, peeing, and sex go hand in hand with the pelvic floor. So, very, very important piece. And thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for what you’re doing in the community, and thank you for coming on our spotlight series.

Emillie Davis: You are so welcome. Thanks again for having me.