Today we’d like to introduce you to Justine Altman.
Hi Justine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started very young. As a child, I was already dealing with constant fatigue and digestive issues. By my teens and twenties, the list had grown to infertility, PCOS, panic attacks, chronic headaches, IBS, obesity, insomnia, diabetes, acne, depression, and severe muscle pain. I spent years shuttling between specialists (gastroenterology, neurology, neurosurgery, rheumatology, reproductive endocrinology, psychiatry) looking for answers.
At the time, I thought it was all just crummy genetics, that I was destined to feel sick and miserable forever. I had no idea how much of my health was within my control. That realization didn’t come overnight, but slowly, through learning, trial and error, and eventually studying functional and integrative approaches to health. That shift, from feeling powerless to understanding how my body worked, changed everything. Today, it’s what drives my work as Clinical Director at Ann Arbor Holistic Health: helping others discover that same sense of clarity and empowerment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all. In fact, I remember ugly crying in my car after my very first appointment with a holistic practitioner. She told me I needed to start eating protein and vegetables at every meal. It felt overwhelming, like my whole life had to change. Up until then, I had been reassured by doctors that food didn’t matter. I’ll never forget a GI specialist telling me, point blank, that what I ate had zero bearing on my gut health and that I could drink all the diet soda I wanted.
So in the beginning, making sleep a priority, moving my body every day, and cutting out soda and sweets all felt like punishment. But then things started to shift. My energy came back, my gut calmed down, my mood lifted. For the first time, I had hope. I realized I had more power over my health than I ever imagined. That was the turning point. From then on I was on a mission, not only to keep resolving my own health struggles, but to help others do the same. I don’t want anyone to suffer the way I did for so many years.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ann Arbor Holistic Health?
Ann Arbor Holistic Health is a team-based practice where practitioners with functional nutrition, holistic, and naturopathic training come together to support people who are tired of “band-aid” approaches and want to understand the deeper “why” behind their health concerns. We specialize in complex gut issues, hormone imbalances, thyroid health, fertility concerns, allergies, autoimmune issues, adrenal fatigue, blood sugar balance, and chronic infections.
What really sets us apart is our collaborative model. Every practitioner brings their own expertise, but we work as a team to give clients a 360-degree view of their health. We also spend more time with people than many clinics allow. We listen carefully, educate the client about which lab tests would enlighten them the most about their specific concerns, and then work with clients to design a realistic, personalized plan.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built. Clients come to us feeling overwhelmed, and they leave with clarity and confidence. That transformation… that moment when someone says, “I haven’t felt this good in years,” is what we’re all about.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t about numbers or even outcomes alone. It’s about relationships. If a client feels seen, understood, and supported, that’s success. If our team members feel inspired and valued in their work, that’s success.
On a larger scale, I think success is when our approach helps shift the conversation around health in our community… from quick fixes and symptom-chasing to curiosity, connection, and long-term wellness with real results. Every time someone leaves our office feeling empowered rather than defeated, I know we’re on the right path.
The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our city. We believe that what makes our city great isn’t the celebrities or giant, cookie-cutter corporations – it’s the artists, creatives, mom-and-pops, and local entrepreneurs who pour their heart and soul into their craft The goal of the Inspiring Stories series is to celebrate those hidden local gems and encourage our readers and the community at large to spend more of their money with local businesses, local artists, creatives and professionals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annarborholistichealth.com/
- Instagram: @annarborholistichealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annarborholistichealth
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ann-arbor-holistic-health/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnnArborHolisticHealth
