Lifestyle & Nutrition Doctor, former AWC Steering Committee Member

Dr. Lauryn Lax, OTD, NTP is a lifestyle & nutrition doctor on a mission to help people worldwide reinvent the way they look, move, feel and think.

As a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Nutritionist, and Functional Medicine Practitioner, Lauryn’s work is inspired by her 20+ years of personal and clinical experience, spent recovering from several chronic and complex illnesses, including autoimmune disease, diabetes, IBS, hypothyroidism and eating disorders. After seeing over 20 doctors nationwide and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in efforts to diagnose and treat her conditions, with little help and few answers, Lauryn decided to take her health back into her own hands.

Through extensive study and research, continual self-experimentation, formal training, and her unrelenting faith and determination, she recovered from her debilitating chronic conditions. Since then, she’s made it her life mission to share what she learned with others and help them do the same, no matter their health challenge or struggle. Lauryn earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas, Doctorate at Belmont University in Nashville and continued her training in functional medicine under leader Chris Kresser and his Kresser Institute, as well as the Institute of Functional Medicine.

She lives in Austin, where she operates her private functional medicine and nutrition practice Thrive Wellness & Recovery and keeps her health journalism skills alive as well: blogging, podcasting, writing books and health articles for publications nationwide.

Linda L. Isaacs, M.D., received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky, graduating with High Distinction with a major in biochemistry. She received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center at New York University Medical School. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Isaacs worked with her colleague Nicholas J. Gonzalez, M.D., for more than twenty years, using a nutritional approach based on the work of William Donald Kelley, D.D.S., for treating patients diagnosed with cancer and other serious degenerative illnesses. After Dr. Gonzalez’ untimely death in July 2015, she continued with the work they shared, moving to Austin in 2019. The treatment involves diet, which varies from patient to patient and can range from almost exclusively vegetarian to one that is heavy in animal protein and fat; individualized nutritional supplement protocols, which for some patients include large doses of pancreatic enzymes; and procedures such as coffee enemas that help the body rid itself of metabolic wastes.

In 1999, Dr. Isaacs and Dr. Gonzalez completed a research study in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer: the results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition and Cancer, showing survival well beyond what is described in the medical literature. They also published a series of case reports in the peer-reviewed journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, and co-authored the book The Trophoblast and the Origins of Cancer. Dr. Isaacs wrote the article “Deciding to Pursue an Alternative Cancer Therapy” to help prospective patients sort through their options; it is available on her website at https://www.drlindai.com/pursuing_alt_ther.html.

To get in touch with Linda please use this link: https://www.drlindai.com/contact.html

Holistic Mental Health Counseling

I am an LPC-Associate trained in both holistic and evidence-based therapeutic modalities, supervised by Sarah Arnold, LPC-S. I love to utilize an integrative approach tailored to each individual client.

My main modality is person-centered talk therapy, which is grounded in curiosity, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. This approach is collaborative and deeply empowering. While insta-therapy often encourages you to seek a safe space, I believe in the importance of creating a brave space – one that encourages growth, acceptance, and resilience. I also love to incorporate more holistic approaches to mental and emotional wellness, including diet and nutrition, movement, sleep hygiene, work-life balance, and spirituality.

My role is to help you:

• develop a deeper understanding of yourself,
• find the courage to lean into difficulty and let yourself be transformed by it
• and take the steps necessary to lead a life you’re excited about living.

I specialize in working with young adults who have been experiencing difficulty with depression, anxiety, managing stress, navigating challenging circumstances, poor self-esteem, people-pleasing, codependency, perfectionism, and academic pressure. I am also passionate about working with artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and deep thinkers who have been feeling creatively blocked, stagnant, or uninspired. I love having philosophical conversations where we explore the tough existential questions.

Because I am trained in holistic approaches and health coaching, many clients also seek my help in finding ways to improve their mental health without the use of pharmaceuticals, if possible. While I am not at all against medication and am happy to help clients in adhering to their medication regimen, I understand that many people have reservations about side effects or choose not to seek help from the pharmaceutical industry. I am happy to provide hope, support, and psychoeducation about ways to boost mental wellness using holistic strategies.

LCSW, Psychotherapist @ Flourish! Psychotherapy + Nutrition

I am so excited to be practicing mindfulness and self-compassion based therapy at Flourish! after taking a few years off to be with my family. I particularly enjoy working with women, adolescents, and new parents and utilizing attachment theory, self-compassion and mindfulness based interventions for symptoms of anxiety, depression, relationship challenges and attention issues. I also love facilitating the Mindfulness Skill Development group classes at Flourish! to help clients cultivate mindful awareness and assisting them in learning how to meditate and develop coping mechanisms. and tools for our stressful modern world.

My educational background includes a MSW University of Texas at Austin and a BA in Latin American Studies and Spanish from UNC-Chapel Hill. Also, I have been studying Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), insight oriented meditation, self compassion, yoga and various forms of expressive/movement based therapies for both personal and professional development during the past 12 years. Mindfulness, self-compassion, and meditation have changed my life, and I am humbled and honored to share these skills with Flourish! clients.

Nutritional Health Coach

Healthy lifestyle design. Women’s & family nutrition. Autoimmunity. Meal planning.

Megan is passionate about helping people take charge of their health. She works with her clients 1:1 and in groups, and through the self-paced online programs she’s created: Dinner in 10 – which teaches a meal prep system to make dinner in 10 minutes 5 nights a week. And The 7-Day RESET – a guided whole-foods-based cleanse.

Megan is dedicated to helping her clients feel more empowered to make choices that keep them feeling their absolute best and allows them to get the most out of life. Because, as she says,

it’s not just about eating more kale because it’s “healthy”… it’s about what being healthy allows you to do!

Since completing her certification through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York in 2010, Megan has worked with women and men to help them transform their health. Whether it’s to manage a health condition, lose weight, cut cravings, boost energy, or be more productive. She works with her clients to create customized plans and design routines and lifestyle habits that fit into their lives, exactly how they live them right now.

Before becoming a health coach, Megan graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism. She puts her background in writing and communications to good use through her blog where she publishes new recipes and tips weekly.

Megan is a native Texan, born and raised in Dallas, though considers Austin home now. She and her husband Ross have twin daughters, Maddie and Charlotte. And many of their favorite things to do involve cooking and eating.