When Gabe Smith set his sights on a men\u2019s physique competition, he thought the path forward was predictable: build muscle, follow a training plan, and fuel his body. What he didn\u2019t expect was to face a mysterious health crisis that would upend his goals\u2014and ultimately redirect his life toward something far more meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, Gabe is not only a survivor of Alpha-Gal Syndrome\u2014a little-known allergy triggered by a tick bite\u2014but also a Functional Nutrition Counselor helping others out of the same dark tunnel he once found himself in. His turning point? The Full Body Systems<\/u><\/a>\u00a0(FBS) program by Functional Nutrition Alliance (FxNA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2019, Gabe was juggling a few part-time roles\u2014land surveying and personal training clients from a home gym in Maryland. It was during a routine day land surveying in the woods that he was bitten by a tick. What followed was not immediate, but changed his life forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just started getting really sick,\u201d Gabe says. \u201cDigestive issues, skin problems, joint pain, fatigue\u2014it didn\u2019t make sense, and doctor after doctor couldn\u2019t give me an answer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diagnosed with Alpha-Gal Syndrome years later, Gabe discovered that his body had developed an allergic reaction to a carbohydrate found in red meat and mammalian byproducts. His immune system had essentially turned against everyday foods, and unknowingly, he had been triggering massive inflammation for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make matters worse, Gabe also developed mold sensitivity\u2014a reaction likely worsened by hidden water damage in his work environment at a local coffee roastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was at a 10 on the health scale of 100\u2014near non-functional,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was exhausting. But before I hit my lowest point, I discovered FxNA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After dabbling in online nutrition programs and starting his journey with the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) for personal training and nutrition certifications, Gabe began searching for something deeper\u2014a Functional Nutrition training that would help him connect the dots in his own body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That search led him to the Functional Nutrition Alliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI found FxNA and Andrea Nakayama\u2019s videos just clicked for me,\u201d he says. \u201cThe way she talked about the root cause\u2014not getting stuck in diagnosis\u2014was exactly what I needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabe enrolled in the Full Body Systems program in late 2023. With no formal medical background and relying solely on his high school education, he wasn\u2019t sure how he\u2019d measure up. But what he lacked in credentials, he made up for in motivation and lived experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By the time he completed the course in the summer of 2024, Gabe had undergone a transformation\u2014physically, mentally, and professionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI went from being foggy, inflamed, fatigued, and in pain to feeling clear, energized, and functional,\u201d he says. \u201cI still live with Alpha-Gal and have to avoid certain foods and mold exposures, but the progress is massive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to FxNA\u2019s Functional Nutrition training, Full Body Systems, Gabe didn\u2019t just get better\u2014he built a new career around his recovery. Today, he splits his time between training clients at a chiropractic office and running a virtual clinic focused on Functional Nutrition. His content<\/u><\/a>, primarily on social media<\/u><\/a>, targets the Alpha-Gal community\u2014a group that, like him, has often been misdiagnosed, dismissed, or left to figure things out alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBeing able to be that light for someone else\u2014someone who\u2019s where I was\u2014that\u2019s a huge blessing,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabe credits much of his transformation to the Full Body Systems curriculum and founder Andrea Nakayama\u2019s unique approach.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHer systems-based method changed the way I think about health. She constantly pushed us to go deeper. I\u2019d think I had the right answer, and she\u2019d say, \u2018But what\u2019s the root cause?\u2019 That stuck with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a mindset shift that informs how Gabe now serves his clients. \u201cPeople think Alpha-Gal is the villain, but it\u2019s often just the tip of the iceberg,\u201d he explains. \u201cThere are usually deeper imbalances driving the symptoms. Full Body Systems taught me how to find them and achieve root cause resolution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead, Gabe sees himself becoming a full-time advocate and Functional Nutrition Counselor for the Alpha-Gal community. He\u2019s developing digital products<\/u><\/a>, including an eBook<\/u><\/a>, and wants to use the Full Body Systems framework to help others find the clarity and relief they deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo many people go undiagnosed for years. By the time they figure it out, they\u2019ve been through so much trauma\u2014physical, emotional, financial. I want to be a trusted voice who says, \u2018I\u2019ve been there, and I can help you navigate out.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabe\u2019s experience with the Full Body Systems program is evidence that you don\u2019t need a traditional degree, a perfect health record, or years of experience to make a difference. You just need the right tools, a curious mind, and a willingness to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI healed myself with this program. Now, I get to help others do the same. That\u2019s the most rewarding work I could ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nA tick bite, a health spiral, and a wake-up call<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The discovery that changed everything<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learning to heal himself \u2014 and then others<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A new framework for health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Building tools for the Alpha-Gal community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From surviving to thriving<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n