Welcome back to the Functional Medicine Reality Podcast. I'm Dr. Mark Su, and this is part two of my conversation with Mary Jo Anderson. If you caught our first episode together, you know we covered the long, painful road to getting a Lyme disease diagnosis. Today we're diving into what happens after you finally have answers.

Here's the thing. Getting a diagnosis doesn't mean everything magically gets better overnight. Mary Jo's story is proof of that. And I think her willingness to share the messy, nonlinear reality of treatment is exactly what so many people need to hear.

What We Cover in This Episode:

Mary Jo opens up about why she's been hesitant to share her treatment journey publicly. The short answer? What works for one person doesn't work for another. She's seen it firsthand talking with other Lyme patients over the years. Every story is vastly different once you get past diagnosis.

We talk through her initial treatment with herbals and supplements. She was taking 15 to 20 different things at one time. It was overwhelming. She'd never even taken Advil before this. After three to four months, she went from feeling like a 12 on a pain scale to maybe a nine or ten. Barely moving the needle.

Then came antibiotics. Two at once for six months, which I know sounds intense. Over that time she went from a 10 down to about a five or six. Fifty debilitating symptoms down to ten. Real progress.

But here's where it gets real. Two weeks after stopping the antibiotics, everything came back with a vengeance. Back to square one. Mary Jo describes feeling scared, discouraged, and honestly questioning whether she wanted to keep fighting.

We talk about how she got back on the horse. Her faith, her community, her kids, the simple phrase "keep going" that she held onto in the darkest moments.

And then she shares about the combination that finally moved the needle in a big way: a specific medication paired with a raw, plant-based diet for six months. She went from feeling like she was at ground zero to feeling 100% better.

The Reality of Living with Chronic Lyme:

Mary Jo is honest that she hasn't eradicated Lyme. She's living with it. She still has some joint pain and neuropathy that comes and goes. But she's resilient. She's learned what her body needs. And she's pursuing optimal health rather than waiting to feel "cured" before moving forward.

We also touch on something important: the double life she was living during all this. Sharing beautiful sunrises and family moments online while suffering behind closed doors. Not because she was being fake, but because that joy and connection was literally what kept her going.

Key Takeaways:

Treatment isn't linear. You might try herbals, then antibiotics, then something else entirely. Progress doesn't always stick. Setbacks happen. That's the reality.

What works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Mary Jo is clear about this. She's not giving medical advice. She's sharing her experience.

Staying "broken wide open" to information, to angels who plant seeds along the way, to possibilities you haven't considered yet. That posture of openness was critical to her progress.

And finally, you don't have to be 100% healed to pursue longevity and optimal health. It's not binary. You can be managing a chronic condition and still investing in feeling your best.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/

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Alright, so here's one I get asked constantly: Do I really need to throw out all my belongings if there's mold in my house?

If that question's been keeping you up at night, or if you're stuck wondering whether dealing with mold means going bankrupt and starting over, take a deep breath. This episode's for you.

I brought back Mike Schrantz, one of the most networked indoor environmental professionals in the country. He's what I call a "doctor of houses and buildings." And we got into the real, practical reality of what mold remediation actually looks like. Not the fear-based stuff you find all over social media. The truth.

Here's what we talked about:

What to actually expect from a mold inspection and report. Mike breaks down why "normal" looks different depending on where you live, and how outdoor mold is different from indoor sources.

The four categories of remediation: surface cleaning, air quality, contents (furniture, clothing, papers), and deeper structural issues. Not everything requires ripping down walls.

Why the contents question brings up the most emotion. This is where people panic about throwing everything away. Mike explains what "clean enough" actually means and why treating mold like plutonium creates unnecessary fear.

The truth about mycotoxins. They have short half-lives. Normal laundering removes them from fabrics. You can clean furniture without throwing it away. And no, you probably don't need to get rid of everything.

Why the fear itself might be doing more harm than the actual exposure. We talk about the emotional toll, the financial strain, and why so many people end up spending tens of thousands on things they didn't need to do.

Bottom line: Most situations don't require moving out or going bankrupt. There are sequential steps you can take. And clarity itself can be medicine.

If you're dealing with mold concerns, chronic illness, or wondering if your environment is making you sick, this conversation will help you move forward with less overwhelm and more confidence.

Next steps: Visit RootSeekHealth.com to take our free health quiz or schedule a discovery call.

Connect with us:

Root Seek Health: https://rootseekhealth.com/
Dr. Mark Su's Podcast: Functional Medicine Reality Podcast

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/opt-in-page-landing-page-for-lab-results-without-answers

Let's get real and get results.

Hey friends, this one's for both practitioners and patients who've been around the functional medicine world for a while.

Here's the thing. When you've been dealing with chronic symptoms for months or years, it's really easy to fall into patterns. You start assuming every flare-up is the same old story. SIBO acting up again. Mold toxicity. Food sensitivities.

But what if it's not?

I'm talking about the differential diagnostic list, which is just a fancy way of saying: all the possible things that could be causing your symptoms. And here's where it gets tricky for those of us working in the functional medicine world.

We get so focused on the chronic inflammatory stuff, the SIBO, the parasites, the mycotoxins, that sometimes we can overlook the conventional diagnoses. The diverticulitis. The cancer, God forbid. The kidney stones. The things that need attention now.

I'll be honest, this is something I actively remind myself about. When I'm seeing a patient I've worked with for two years, and they come in describing abdominal pain, it's tempting to just pick up where we left off. But if they tell me the pain is different somehow, more intense, or now there's bleeding when there wasn't before, I cannot just chalk that up to hemorrhoids and move on.

Now, if you're a patient, here's what I want you to hear. Pay attention when symptoms vary, even just a little bit. Maybe they're 20% more intense. Maybe they're not triggered by the usual things.

And here's the critical part: don't present it to your practitioner with presumptions already baked in. Don't say, "Oh, my SIBO is flaring up again." Just describe what you're experiencing. Let them go through their checklist.

The differential diagnostic list in functional medicine is way more expansive than in conventional medicine. That's both a gift and a challenge. We're thinking about things other practitioners might miss. But we cannot let that blind us to the conventional stuff.

Being comfortable is not always a good thing. Experience helps us work faster, but complacency can be a real stealth enemy.

That my friends, is definitely the reality of medicine, especially at the intersect of functional and conventional medicine. Worth it, but more work.

In This Episode:

• Why the differential diagnostic list matters for both practitioners and patients
• The risk of getting too comfortable with chronic symptoms
• How to communicate symptoms without presumptions
• Balancing functional and conventional medicine approaches

Key Takeaways:

• When symptoms vary even by 20-30%, pay attention
• Don't attach labels to your symptoms before presenting them
• Practitioners must guard against overlooking conventional diagnoses
• Clear communication protects both patient and practitioner

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results

From GI Struggles to Stability: Anti-Aging in Real Life

A Patient Conversation with Jean

In this episode, I’m joined by Jean, a long-time patient who generously shares her real-life health journey, not from a place of perfection, but from lived experience.

This conversation is about what healing actually looks like over time. It is about chronic gut issues, instability, fatigue, and inflammation, but also about perspective, gratitude, resilience, and what it means to pursue longevity in a realistic, human way.

What This Episode Covers

• Jean’s transition into a new chapter of life, including relocation, retirement, and change
• Years of chronic GI symptoms and the complexity of digestive healing
• The role of journaling, self-awareness, and trial-and-error in recovery
• How inflammation shows up across multiple systems over time
• Why healing is often cyclical, not linear
• What “anti-aging” really means outside of hype and extremes
• The difference between chronological age and biological aging
• How energy, cognition, stability, and connection define quality of life
• The importance of movement, nature, sleep, and routine
• Why social connection and lifelong learning matter for longevity
• How to think through anti-aging options without overwhelm or fear

A Realistic View of Longevity

Rather than chasing every new trend, this episode walks through how to think clearly about longevity based on values, resources, tolerance, and life stage.

We discuss data-driven strategies like nutrition, exercise, and inflammation reduction, alongside emerging longevity concepts, while always coming back to what is sustainable and meaningful for the individual.

Key Takeaway

Longevity is not about doing everything.
It is about doing the right things for you, at the right time, in the right way.

Stability, resilience, curiosity, and connection matter just as much as supplements or tests.

And healing does not mean erasing the past. It means building a steadier future.

Important Note

This episode reflects a real patient conversation shared for educational purposes only. Nothing discussed should be taken as individual medical advice. Each person’s health journey is unique and should be navigated with appropriate professional support.

Thank you to Jean for her honesty, wisdom, and willingness to share.
This is what real-life healing looks like.

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. George Papanicolaou, long-time mentor, colleague, and friend, for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had publicly about medicine, humanity, and what it really means to care for people.

George was my first boss early in my career and has spent more than three decades practicing medicine across vastly different settings, from the Navajo Nation to primary care to the UltraWellness Center. This conversation is not about protocols or supplements. It is about the inner work of being a doctor and the shared humanity between practitioner and patient.

What We Explore

• Why medicine is never just about symptoms or lab values
• The complexity of patient stories and evolving health narratives
• How bias quietly shapes clinical decision making on both sides of the exam room
• Why self-awareness is essential for good medicine
• The gift and burden of empathy in patient care
• Emotional depletion and burnout in clinicians who care deeply
• Why hypervigilance around health can slow healing
• The limits of medicine and the role of acceptance
• How contentment and gratitude can coexist with illness
• What it means to partner with patients rather than try to fix them

A Rare Look Behind the Curtain

This episode offers a rare and honest look at what happens on the other side of the exam room. We talk openly about the pressures clinicians carry, the responsibility of working with complex chronic illness, and the ongoing effort required to stay present, objective, and human.

We also explore why healing is rarely linear and why progress often depends as much on mindset, relationships, and expectations as it does on treatments.

Key Takeaway

Good medicine requires more than knowledge.
It requires humility, self-awareness, and humanity.

Patients are not puzzles to be solved.
Doctors are not machines without limits.
Healing happens best when both are seen clearly and honestly.

This conversation is a reminder that clarity begins with truth, and truth begins with being human.

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results

This is a deeply personal and meaningful episode.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Mary Jo Anderson, who courageously shares her health journey for the first time publicly. This episode marks the beginning of a longer, unfolding story and a new chapter for both Mary Jo and this podcast.

Mary Jo’s story is not just about chronic illness or Lyme disease. It is about what it feels like to slowly lose your health, to feel unseen and unheard, and to keep going even when answers are not coming.

What This Episode Is Really About

At its core, this episode explores:

• What it feels like to slowly stop feeling well when life once felt full and vibrant
• How chronic symptoms can be dismissed or minimized within the healthcare system
• The emotional and relational toll of prolonged, unexplained illness
• The loneliness that can exist even when you are surrounded by people who love you
• The breaking point that forces many patients to seek a different path
• The power of listening to your intuition when something does not feel right
• Why resilience is often built through suffering, not before it
• How vulnerability can open doors for healing and connection

Mary Jo shares honestly about pain, fear, self doubt, and the moments when she questioned whether she would survive. She also shares about faith, perseverance, and the quiet strength it takes to keep searching for answers.

A Story Many Will Recognize

If you have ever:

• Been told your labs are normal while your body says otherwise
• Felt dismissed, minimized, or labeled without explanation
• Wondered if your symptoms were “all in your head”
• Felt like you were carrying your illness alone
• Had to fight for answers while caring for others

This story will resonate deeply.

Why This Episode Matters

Mary Jo’s journey reflects the lived experience of countless patients navigating chronic illness. It highlights the limitations of a system that often lacks time, depth, or tools to fully see complex cases.

It also reminds us that healing is rarely instant, rarely linear, and often begins with being truly heard.

This episode focuses on the beginning of her story, including the years before diagnosis and the emotional reality of being undiagnosed. In future episodes, we will explore her diagnosis, treatment journey, and ongoing healing in greater depth.

Key Takeaway

If something feels wrong in your body, listen.
If you are not being helped, keep looking.
And if you are in a dark place, you are not weak for needing support.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is keep going.

Resources Mentioned

• Rootseek
  Virtual functional medicine practice mentioned in closing
  www.rootseek.com

Thank you for listening and for holding space for stories like this.
This is how clarity begins, through truth, vulnerability, and human connection.

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results

Mold is a real issue, but the conversation around it has become increasingly extreme and overwhelming.

In this episode, I’m joined by Mike Schrantz, an indoor environmental professional and long-time colleague, for an honest, grounded discussion about mold, sick buildings, and how environmental health intersects with human health in the real world.

Together, we explore how fear-based, black-and-white thinking has caused unnecessary stress, financial strain, and confusion for many patients. We talk about why mold illness is legitimate, but rarely simple, and why balance matters more than absolutes.

In This Episode, We Discuss

• Why mold-related illness is real, but not always binary
• The difference between what is common and what is truly normal
• Why “mold free” is often an unrealistic goal
• The concept of normal fungal ecology
• How geography, season, and lifestyle affect indoor environments
• Why most homes do not require extreme remediation
• The role of fear, stress, and overwhelm in chronic illness
• How sequencing and realistic expectations support healing
• Why progress matters more than perfection

Key Takeaway

Healing does not require eliminating every possible variable.
It requires thoughtful decisions, realistic expectations, and reducing the most meaningful sources of stress and exposure.

Mold exposure deserves respect, not panic.

Resources Mentioned

• Mike Schrantz, Indoor Environmental Professional
  Environmental Analytics
  Podcast: IEP Radio
• Clinical care resource mentioned in closing
  Rootseek
  www.rootseek.com

This conversation is part of an ongoing series focused on clarity, nuance, and helping people get better without unnecessary fear.

Let’s get real and get results.

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results

I’m Dr. Mark Su, a conventionally trained physician, functional medicine practitioner, and lifelong student of the why behind symptoms.

This podcast was born out of real-life questions, real patient stories, and a deep sense that the healthcare conversation needs more honesty, nuance, and humanity. Not perfection. Not dogma. Just reality.

In this kickoff episode, I share three confessions, a few pivotal stories from my clinical journey, and the deeper reason this podcast exists in the first place.

Three Confessions (Right Out of the Gate)

1. I’m not here for the reasons you think I am.
   This podcast isn’t about trends, protocols, or being “anti” anything. It’s about understanding people and physiology more deeply.
2. This podcast is non-compliant.
   Meaning we’re willing to ask uncomfortable questions, challenge oversimplified narratives, and sit in the gray when the truth isn’t black and white.
3. I only practice some of what I preach.
   Because I’m human too. And real healing requires honesty, not a pedestal.

The Question That Changed Everything

Early in my career, I noticed something that didn’t make sense.

Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia would tell me that when they took antibiotics for unrelated infections, their joint pain and muscle pain improved.

That shouldn’t happen, at least not according to conventional training.

So I had to ask myself:

What am I missing?
And more importantly:

What are we missing as a system?

That question opened the door to functional medicine, chronic infections like Lyme disease, and eventually environmental factors such as mold-related illness.

From Symptoms to Root Causes

In this episode, I walk through:

• How symptom-based diagnoses like fibromyalgia often describe what someone feels but not why
• How functional medicine reframes chronic illness through systems biology and root-cause thinking
• Why some patients heal dramatically when the right missing piece is identified and why others don’t yet

I also share real patient stories. These are individuals who were told their symptoms were due to aging, stress, or “nothing serious,” only to experience profound improvement when the underlying cause was finally addressed.

Why This Podcast Exists

This show is for you if:

• You’ve been dismissed, minimized, or told “your labs are normal”
• You feel overwhelmed by conflicting health information
• You’re tired of binary thinking like all pharma versus no pharma or it’s all in your head versus it’s all physical
• You want clarity, not fear
• You believe healing is possible, even if the path isn’t linear

We’ll talk about inflammation, infections, mold, medications, supplements, environment, mindset, and the lived experience of patients and practitioners alike.

Always with nuance.
Always with compassion.
Never with guarantees.

This podcast is about education and awareness, not diagnosis or prescriptions.
My goal is to help you think more clearly, ask better questions, and feel more confident in your healthcare decisions.

Because when you understand why your body is doing what it’s doing, everything changes.

Thanks for being here at the beginning.
Let’s get real and let’s get results.

📊 Got Lab Results But No Real Answers?

You're not alone. Many patients are stuck with test results but no clear path forward. I've created a free resource to help you understand what your labs might actually be telling you about your health.

Download your free guide: Understanding Your Lab Results