Today we’d like to introduce you to Jena Salisbury.
Hi Jena, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My path into clinical nutrition really started with my own health journey. Like many people who end up in functional medicine, I experienced firsthand how frustrating it can be to feel like something in your body isn’t right but not have clear answers. That experience sparked a deep curiosity about how the body actually works and what truly supports healing.
I began studying nutrition and science at Western Michigan University and initially thought I would pursue traditional medicine. Over time, I realized I was far more drawn to understanding the root causes of illness—how nutrition, environment, stress, sleep, and lifestyle interact with our biology. That curiosity eventually led me deeper into functional medicine and clinical nutrition, where I could combine science with a more holistic understanding of health.
Along that journey I also explored the mind-body and energetic aspects of healing, becoming a Reiki teacher and studying Urevia and shamanic traditions. While my clinical work is grounded in science and functional testing, those experiences deepened my appreciation for how emotional, spiritual, and physiological health are deeply interconnected.
Over the past 13+ years I’ve worked with individuals dealing with complex health challenges, especially gut health, metabolism, and chronic conditions that often fall through the cracks of conventional care. I later completed my Master’s in Clinical Nutrition and became a Certified Nutrition Specialist, which allowed me to practice at a deeper clinical level using functional testing and systems-based approaches.
Today I run Innate Clinical Nutrition, where my work focuses on helping people reconnect with their body’s innate ability to heal. My philosophy blends rigorous science with the idea that the body has incredible internal wisdom when we give it the right support. In addition to working with clients, I’ve also become passionate about educating other practitioners and sharing clinical insights through my podcast, CNS Unfiltered.
At the heart of it, my work is about helping people understand their bodies better and reminding them that healing often starts by working with the body rather than against it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like many people in healthcare who pursue a different path from the traditional system, one of the biggest challenges has been navigating a space that sits between conventional medicine and holistic approaches. Functional medicine and clinical nutrition have grown tremendously over the past decade, but when I first started, it often required explaining and advocating for the value of this work.
Building a practice in this field also comes with the normal entrepreneurial challenges—learning how to run a business, educating clients about a different model of care, and continually investing in advanced training and testing to stay at the forefront of the science.
On a personal level, balancing motherhood, business ownership, and continued education has also required a lot of resilience and adaptability. There have definitely been moments where the path felt uncertain or overwhelming.
At the same time, those challenges have shaped the way I practice today. They’ve pushed me to think more creatively, stay curious, and keep learning. The field of functional medicine evolves quickly, and I actually love that it requires constant growth. In many ways, the challenges have made the work more meaningful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a clinical nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner, and the core of my work is helping people understand what’s really happening inside their bodies. I specialize in complex and chronic cases, particularly gut health, metabolism, and conditions that often don’t fully resolve with conventional approaches alone. My work often involves using functional testing, nutrition therapy, and lifestyle interventions to identify root causes rather than just managing symptoms.
What I’m most known for is helping people make sense of their health story when they’ve been searching for answers for a long time. I take a systems-based approach, looking at how digestion, hormones, immune function, detoxification, sleep, and stress all interact. Often when we address the underlying imbalances in those systems, the body begins to move back toward balance in a really powerful way.
I’m also deeply passionate about education. In addition to working with clients, I host the CNS Unfiltered podcast, where I interview fellow clinicians about how they think through complex cases and approach functional medicine. I love creating spaces where practitioners can learn from each other and elevate the profession.
What sets my work apart is the way I blend rigorous science with a deep respect for the body’s innate intelligence. My brand, Innate Clinical Nutrition, is built around the idea that when we align with the body’s natural rhythms and biological systems, healing becomes much more possible. I’m incredibly proud of the clients who regain energy, clarity, and confidence in their health—and of being able to help people reconnect with the wisdom of their own bodies.
Outside of my clinical work, life is full and a little bit messy in the best way. I’m a mom of two, we have a dog who keeps us busy, and my husband and I are slowly restoring our home that was built in the 1880s. A lot of our weekends involve projects like insulation, roofing, or figuring out the quirks of an old house. It’s a labor of love, and in many ways it mirrors how I think about health—working with the foundation first so everything else can function the way it was meant to.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One thing I always like to remind people is that the body is incredibly intelligent and resilient. So many of us are used to thinking of our bodies as something that’s broken or working against us, but more often than not, symptoms are actually signals that the body is trying to adapt or communicate something important.
When we learn how to listen to those signals and support the body with the right nutrition, lifestyle changes, and environment, healing becomes much more possible than many people realize.
I also believe health is not just about eliminating symptoms—it’s about having the energy, clarity, and vitality to live the life you want to live and show up for the people you love.
Pricing:
- Initial functional nutrition consultations typically start at $250–$350, depending on the depth of testing and case complexity.
- Comprehensive root-cause programs that include advanced functional testing, nutrition protocols, and ongoing support range from approximately $3,000–$4,200 depending on the program and testing included.
- I also offer group programs and educational resources designed to make functional medicine principles more accessible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://InnateClinicalNutrition.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innateclinicalnutrition?igsh=MThuZjF6aGZlOWZpbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innatemedicalnutrition/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jena-salisbury-aa102a167/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cnsunfiltered
