About

Photo of the owner of Design One Wellness wearing a blue shirt.

Tara Kuchta
Functional Health Practitioner

My Journey from Exhaustion to Empowerment

 

Hello, I'm Tara, a Functional Health Practitioner and the founder of Design One Wellness. My journey into the world of functional health wasn't just a career choice—it was a personal transformation born from necessity.

 

Like many of you, I once had it all together. I was energetic, happy, and always ready for the next adventure. But life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn't it? In what felt like the blink of an eye, I found myself transformed into someone I barely recognized. Exhausted, depressed, and constantly feeling unwell, I had become a shadow of my former self.

It wasn't just one thing that tipped the scales. Life decided to hit me with a perfect storm: the sudden, heartbreaking loss of my father, the joy (and stress) of getting married, the excitement (and endless work) of buying a fixer-upper house, and the relentless demands of a high-pressure job. Each of these life events alone would have been challenging, but together? They felt like a tidal wave, threatening to drown me.

 

The worst part wasn't just feeling awful—it was feeling alone in my struggle. Friends and family, well-meaning as they were, kept insisting it was just a phase. "You'll snap out of it," they'd say, not realizing their words only made me feel more isolated. My husband, bless him, wanted desperately to help but was at a loss, watching helplessly as I sank deeper into exhaustion and overwhelm.

 

But the real kicker? The moment that truly made me feel betrayed by the system I had trusted? It was when my doctor, after a series of "normal" blood tests, looked me in the eye and essentially accused me of being a hypochondriac. In that sterile, fluorescent-lit office, I felt my last hope crumble. If the medical professionals wouldn't believe me, who would?

 

That moment, as crushing as it was, became my turning point. Dismissed by conventional medicine, I realized that if I wanted to reclaim my health and my life, I would have to take matters into my own hands. Little did I know, this was the first step on a journey that would not only transform my health but also introduce me to the world of functional health.

 

The Path to Healing

 

As I started on my health journey, I discovered a fundamental truth that would change everything: there's always a reason why we don't feel well. Our symptoms aren't the enemy; they're messengers, our body's way of waving a red flag to tell us something isn't right. I realized I didn't want to silence these messages with a pill; I wanted to understand them, find their source, and address them head-on.

 

This realization led me to the world of functional health, where I learned that just because a few basic tests don't show a problem, it doesn't mean there isn't one. It simply means we need to dig deeper, look closer, and listen more carefully to what our bodies are trying to tell us.

 

Through comprehensive testing and a holistic approach, I uncovered hidden imbalances in my body that conventional tests had missed. For the first time, I had concrete proof that something was indeed wrong, validating my experiences and providing a clear direction for healing.

 

The Transformation

 

My journey from exhaustion and frustration to energized and amazing wasn't a straight line, but it was worth it. As I implemented changes based on what I learned, transformation unfolded. Here are the key lessons that changed my life:

 

  1. Whole-Person Approach: I discovered that health isn't about finding a "silver bullet" solution, but about creating a supportive lifestyle through small, sustainable changes. This holistic view helped me see my seemingly unrelated symptoms as interconnected parts of a whole.
  2. Personalized Care is Crucial: I learned that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to health. What works for one person might not work for another. This realization was both liberating and empowering, allowing me to tailor my approach to my unique needs.
  3. The Power of Functional Lab Testing: Comprehensive testing provided invaluable insights into my body's systems, uncovering imbalances that conventional tests had missed. This detailed information was crucial in developing a targeted, personalized plan for healing.

 

As I addressed the various imbalances we uncovered, I saw dramatic improvements in how I felt. My skin began to clear, my energy levels increased, and my mood stabilized. It wasn't just about managing symptoms anymore; we were addressing the root causes.

 

My Mission: Empowering You

 

This profound change ignited a desire to share my journey, illuminating the path for others who find themselves battling burnout and despair. As a Functional Health Practitioner, I now specialize in helping resilient women who have faced challenging setbacks restore balance, energy, and focus.

 

At Design One Wellness, we provide a personalized roadmap to find the missing pieces of your health puzzle. Whether through our comprehensive 1:1 coaching programs or our online courses, we empower you to rise stronger and always feel your best.

 

Beyond the Office

 

When I'm not empowering amazing women like you, you'll find me:

  • Diving into a thought-provoking non-fiction book
  • Getting lost in my favorite podcasts
  • Jamming to everything from punk to blues to cheesy 80's music with my husband
  • Recharging in nature

 

Let's Connect

 

My story is a testament to the power of functional health. It's not just about treating symptoms; it's about uncovering and addressing the root causes of our health issues. It's about seeing ourselves as whole beings, deserving of personalized care that takes into account our unique circumstances and needs.

 

If my story resonates with you, if you've been struggling with health issues and feeling dismissed or frustrated by conventional approaches, I want you to know that there's hope. Your journey from health struggles to empowerment is possible, and I'm here to guide you every step of the way.

 

If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step on your health journey, I'm here to help. Book a Book a Back-to-Balance Breakthrough call with me to see if I'm the right fit to guide you on your path to vibrant health. Remember, your health journey is unique, and you deserve personalized care that honors that uniqueness.


Functional Diagnostic Nutrition®
Health Coach Disclaimer

Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® health coaches do not diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition. Nothing we share with our clients is intended to substitute for the advice, treatment, or diagnosis of a qualified licensed physician. Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN) Practitioners may not make any medical diagnoses or claim, nor substitute for your personal physician’s care. It is the role of a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner to partner with their clients to provide ongoing support and accountability in an opt-in model of self-care and should be done under the supervision of a licensed physician.