From IBS to Healing: Courtney Cowie’s Gut Health Journey
In this episode of the “Fieldnotes” podcast, Dr. Rob Downey interviews Courtney Cowie, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and certified coach, about her personal and professional journey through chronic gut health issues, including IBS, IBD, mold toxicity, and Lyme disease. Courtney shares her powerful origin story—from childhood stomach aches and years of ineffective conventional treatments to her transformative experience with Chinese medicine in Japan and her eventual embrace of functional medicine. Together, they explore the critical role of functional testing, the gut-brain connection, and the importance of root-cause approaches in healing chronic digestive conditions. Courtney also highlights how personalized testing, diet, and trauma-informed care can empower patients to regain their health and vitality.
(00:48) Courtney discusses her IBS diagnosis
(05:00) Bathroom stops planned during runs
(06:11) Herbalist urges eating meat
(14:31) Microscopic colitis finally diagnosed
(17:17) Mold toxicity and Lyme uncovered
Courtney Cowie
FDN-P, NTP
Courtney Cowie is a certified functional nutritionist accredited by both the Nutrition Therapy Association and the Association of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioners (AFDN). She specializes in supporting high-achieving women struggling with chronic digestive issues that are often overlooked by conventional medicine.
Courtney has completed advanced training including Dr. Allison Siebecker’s SIBO Pro Course, Dr. Ami Kapadia’s SIFO training for practitioners, and Dr. Clayton and Dr. Christensen’s Mold Detox Diet course. She also pursued post-graduate studies in Chinese herbal medicine at the White Pine Institute and completed advanced training through the AFDN. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as a clinical advisor for Functional Diagnostic Nutrition.
She is also a Licensed Bodywork Therapist and holds a Master’s Degree in Japan Studies from the University of Washington. Before transitioning into functional medicine, Courtney worked as a Geological Engineer and served as a Foreign Affairs Analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Courtney’s interest in integrative health began during the three years she lived, worked, and studied in Tokyo, where she experienced the transformative power of Chinese medicine and nutrition. A lifelong athlete—having been a competitive swimmer, a member of the UW-Madison Lightweight Crew Team, and a triathlete—she brings a deep understanding of physical wellness to her work.
Her personal journey with unresolved gastrointestinal symptoms after college led her to seek alternative approaches. It was this experience—combined with the limitations she encountered in traditional medical care—that inspired her to help others dealing with chronic gastrointestinal and autoimmune conditions. Today, her work is driven by both clinical expertise and lived experience.
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