The most successful, clinically confident practitioners launched in Functional Medicine the FASTEST with the track record to prove it! Functional Medicine Academy (FMA) is your one-stop-shop for everything you need from clinical care & evidence-driven certifications to marketing that works & software that saves you time and money!With our proven Rx5 Formula we answer all your burning questions:"Can I do this? For real?""How will I get new patients?""How do I know what to do with those people?""Can I make a living doing this?""I'm already doing this, but I can't scale - how can I grow successfully?"Wherever you are at - we have the custom solution to help you leapfrog to the next level. Curious to learn more? Talk to one of our team members here: https://tinyurl.com/3practicemusthavesThank you to everyone sharing their stories about working with Functional Medicine Academy and Dr. Z!Hugs,Dr. ZThe Dr. Z Functional Medicine Academy, LLCDr. Brandy Zachary, DC, IFMCP, FMACP
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Is The Dr. Z Functional Medicine Academy. LLC legit?
The Dr. Z Functional Medicine Academy. LLC (thedrz.com) has a 5.0 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 103 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Education & Training and its reputation is excellent. Praise is nearly unanimous, with 100% rating it 4 stars or higher; Reviews mostly discuss User experience, Product. Last updated 2026-09-03.
What reviewers say
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Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great overall experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the extensive, valuable information and practical strategies shared during the live training sessions. People frequently note the incredibly dedicated staff and supportive coaching that make building a professional practice much easier. Consumers find the classes engaging, authentic, and packed with useful resources that consistently exceed expectations.
Some reviewers were not happy with the steep learning curve and felt overwhelmed by the vast amount of details. A few individuals also mentioned minor scheduling challenges or missing certain specific topics during the very fast-paced and live online events.
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The Q&A is absolutely priceless! The materials are simple, well put together and the couching/VIP takes the stress out of launching a business, even if its your first. She offers system to apply your clinical expertise that no one else does. A key to your success.
The one thing I would suggest that may help like would be a high level "road map" for people to see that either shows the steps from A to Z for setting up this business or how all these "topics" fit together. I see so many people lost in the comments, so just a thought to help them understand where in the conversation the topic stands with a picture. Otherwise, just keep answering like a 1000 questions which is impressive!!
I have had knowledge and self-imposed limitations on focusing on this as my business for decades. The universe colluded to finally get me here. I am very excited to get started! The value is astounding. The support is next level. Thank you.
The Functional Medicine Retreat That Redefined My Practice
I attended Dr. Z’s Functional Medicine retreat in Mexico for the first time, and from the moment I arrived, my intuition whispered, “You’re exactly where you’re meant to be.” I knew joining FM3 was the right decision. My ancestors were smiling — they practiced functional medicine long before the words existed, long before labs, long before systems tried to separate what was always whole.
What surprised me most was how fun, warm, and deeply personable the entire experience was. This wasn’t a stiff conference. We laughed, connected, shared stories, and built community while doing profound work.
I’ve been to many conferences and coached by great leaders, but Dr. Z’s retreat was different. She is on a mission to teach us how to uncover the root cause of why, not just memorize protocols or chase symptoms.
As a holistic mental health practitioner integrating mind and body, I felt seen. It didn’t matter whether you were a nurse, doctor, coach, or healer — we all went deep. We left with clarity, direction, and for many of us, complete plans ready to implement.
Her team — truly angels — helped me streamline my offerings in a way that finally felt aligned. I felt supported, cared for, and held by her entire staff, her husband included. Who could ask for more.
I will recommend her program to anyone searching for a way to serve others outside the limitations of a broken system that patches symptoms but never touches the soul. I’ve been on the other side as a patient, treated in compartments. Now I can offer whole-person healing — mind and body — with confidence and integrity.
This Retreat Shifted My Entire Practice in 5 days And it was joyfully human every step of the way.
As a Doctorally-prepared Nurse Practitioner and someone who already owns a practice, this training and program is the Best out there! With the wealth of knowledge it offers, whether you join as a practitioner or not, you will feel supported.
Amazing.
The Functional Medicine Academy provides so much more than functional medicine certification. If you’re looking for support, mentorship, business set up, more support, and true learning- you’ve found it. I’ve grown as a clinician, a practice owner, and gained an appreciation for systems and tech. 10/10 recommend.
I have been in the fitness industry for 35 years. I have built things, lost things, and walked through more rooms than I can count. I thought I had seen what these retreats had to offer. I had not seen this one.
I came to Dr. Z’s mastermind retreat carrying things I had not said out loud in a long time. Closing my gym chain broke something in me that I have been quietly trying to put back together, with people I loved walking away angry and hurt. And underneath that grief was a harder truth. After decades of pouring myself into fitness, I had to admit that fitness and nutrition alone were never going to be enough to help women as they age. That is why I went back to school to learn functional medicine. That is why I built my clinic. But every time I opened my mouth to speak that truth, it felt like I was turning my back on the industry that raised me, on peers I still love deeply. So I stayed small. I softened my voice. I told other women to do it scared while I was the one hiding.
I did not realize how tired I was of hiding until I sat in that room.
What touched me most was watching Dr. Z talk about her own fear. She is anchored to her mission in a way I have rarely seen, and that is how she keeps walking through it, by staying close to the women she is here to serve. Hearing her name her doubts, her hesitations, the moments she did it anyway, was the moment something in me finally let go. She gave me permission I did not know I was waiting for.
The whole experience felt less like a retreat and more like being lovingly invited home. From the very first night at her house, gathered around dinner with her family and her fur babies, I was met with a kind of warmth I have not felt in professional spaces in years. No posturing. No gatekeeping. Just real people lifting each other. Then came a morning together at Rio Secreto walking through ancient caves and underground water that I will hold onto for the rest of my life. A sunrise meditation on the final day where we let go of the limiting beliefs we had been carrying for years. There were moments I cried and did not even try to hide it.
In between all of that was the work, and the work was real. Days of training where I did not want the breaks because I did not want to leave the room. Then a day and a half of implementation where her team met us exactly where we needed them. Whatever piece of your business you were stuck on, there was a room for it and a team leader inside it ready to roll up their sleeves with you. Tech, marketing, copy, integrations, offer stacks. They did not just teach. They built alongside us. You felt every one of them carrying the weight of this mission with you, not just talking at you about it.
What I am trying to say is this. I came in scared and quiet. I left with my voice back and a solid map for the growth of my business.
Thank you, Dr. Z. Thank you, David. Thank you to this team and to every person who showed up willing to be seen. You gave me back something I did not realize I had lost.
If you are even thinking about this mastermind, go. Do it scared. It will change your life.
I just attended my sixth Mastermind with Dr. Z and the Functional Medicine Academy, and it continues to exceed expectations every single time. As a nurse practitioner building my own functional medicine practice, having ongoing clinical and business mentorship at this level has been invaluable.
What sets this program apart is the consistency of support and the commitment to staying on the leading edge of both science and strategy. The Mastermind itself was incredibly motivating, filled with fresh direction, actionable insights, and a community that truly wants to see you succeed.
If you are serious about building a practice and want real support—not just theory—this is one of the best investments you can make. Highly recommend.
Not just another conference....life-changing transformation
One year ago, my life changed. I was working for a medspa....but had a burning passion in my heart to help women in a deeper, more meaningful way. I also felt stunted in my growth, personally and professionally. At the time I thought perhaps I would offer a digital product; but never did I imagine I would open my own practice. Until I saw an ad of this woman dancing in the jungle saying I could change my life. And I believed her. I bought her book and devoured it.....twice. I joined the book club, attended The Healer's Business Bootcamp, and became a member of FMA. And through every step, the flame within me not only grew....but also took on life and purpose. Four short months later, with the tools, clarity, and support from FMA, I completed my certification in functional medicine and opened my own clinic. Now, fast forward to today. I just experienced my first Mastermind in Cancún with Dr. Z and the FMA team and it completely exploded every expectation I brought to it (which were many and very high). The wealth of knowledge Dr.Z shared both challenged and enlightened me to levels of growth I have been craving for so long. I had the opportunity to focus and work on my business directly under the critique of Dr. Z herself and to fine-tune my systems with the amazing team members. But far beyond the brilliant education at the conference was the culture of FMA. You were not a client. You were family. Sisters. Brothers. From Dr. Z all the way down to the newest member who was timidly stepping into their own big dream....you were supported, encouraged, welcomed. I cannot imagine my life without FMA and I am confident by the tears, the stories, and the laughter shared this week that everyone else in the room felt the same. I am heading home now, ready and confident to embrace my next stage of growth knowing I am not alone and unimaginable support is there behind me. Dr.Z and FMA has transformed my life. I encourage you to believe in yourself enough to step out and be transformed, too.
First and foremost, Dr. Z has been such a source of inspiration for me. She’s a marketing genius! Period. I just returned from the Mexico Mastermind Retreat and it was truly life changing for me. The warmth and encouragement in that room is priceless. The education is next level. The fact that she opened up her home to have us over for dinner is something that I truly appreciated. I am also part of the mentorship program and thanks to that I was able to start my practice months, perhaps years before I could have alone. When you’re in the mentorship, you are never alone. You have an entire team at your disposal and years worth of education both clinical and business. Thank you to Dr. Z, the entire team. I would name each and everyone but I will run out of space. The energy you guys bring to this event is incredible. So much so that it makes me want to join the team. 😂 Alder knows what I mean. Anyway, don’t hesitate to join. Any business requires an investment to begin and the investment for the mentorship paid for itself within the first 2 weeks for me by allowing me to sign on 2 clients to my program.
Dr. Z’s Mastermind was truly transformational.
The team is incredible. They are deeply knowledgeable, compassionate, genuine, and fully invested in your success. From the very beginning, you feel that they are rooting for you, encouraging you, and reminding you of what is possible, even when the steps ahead feel overwhelming.
Building and growing a medical business can feel heavy at times, but this team has a way of meeting you exactly where you are. They hold your hand, lift you up, calm the noise, and help turn big, intimidating goals into clear, doable steps. They go above and beyond in every way. The Mastermind event is the kind of experience that can truly catapult your medical business forward in ways you may have once thought were impossible.
And Dr. Z herself is one of a kind. Her mind is brilliant and awe-inspiring. Having the opportunity to spend such intimate time with her, learn from her, and pick her brain was an absolute gift.
I left feeling deeply grateful, powerfully motivated, and more determined than ever to break through not just glass ceilings, but every limit I once thought existed.
This Mastermind is more than business strategy. It is belief, clarity, momentum, and transformation all in one room.
★★★★★ Life-Changing Experience with Dr. Z and the Functional Medicine Academy Team
I rarely write reviews this long, but this experience deserves it.
I just returned from Dr. Z’s Functional Medicine Academy Mastermind, and I can honestly say I have never experienced a team so deeply committed to the success of the people they serve.
1. The Team Is Exceptional
The first thing that stands out is the people. Every member of the Dr. Z team shows up fully present, kind, helpful, and genuinely invested. You can feel that they care. They give their energy, attention, and expertise generously, and they treat every participant as someone who matters.
You simply will not find a better support team.
And leading them is Dr. Z herself, who brings both extensive education and real-life experience to the table. She leads with intelligence, heart, humility, and integrity.
2. The Training Is High-Level and Actionable
Many programs provide information. Dr. Z provides transformation.
Her content is constantly evolving and improving. She clearly works tirelessly to make every lesson practical, strategic, and useful. She doesn’t just teach theory. She translates complex ideas into repeatable action steps with real examples you can immediately apply.
That combination is rare.
3. Personal Attention Beyond Expectations
Before attending the mastermind, I had already built several parts of my business using what I learned in her program, but some things were not converting the way I hoped.
Dr. Z personally reviewed my existing work, helped me refine it for stronger marketing performance, and then went far beyond what anyone would expect. She helped turn it into a professional ad and even allowed me to use it.
That level of generosity and hands-on support is almost unheard of.
She also invited us to observe her own business processes in real time so we could learn directly from how she thinks and works. That kind of transparency is priceless.
4. The Community Is Incredible
The people in this community are outstanding.
Doctors, nurses, practitioners, and wellness leaders all coming together with a shared mission to transform health care and help others heal.
I made meaningful connections with people who truly understand the vision of whole-person healing. The energy in the room was collaborative, uplifting, and inspiring.
5. World-Class Experience
Everything was thoughtfully planned.
The venue was beautiful. Logistics were handled smoothly. Activities were meaningful and memorable.
One highlight was our group experience at Río Secreto, which was unforgettable and symbolic of the healing journey itself: navigating twists, turns, challenge, beauty, and growth.
We also spent time at Dr. Z’s home, where she welcomed us warmly and created a true sense of family and belonging.
6. Implementation Day Was Brilliant
After days of learning, they dedicated a full day to implementation.
Participants were divided into focused stations such as marketing, sales, clinical strategy, and tech support, each staffed by experts ready to help us execute.
This is where many programs fail. They teach but do not help people implement.
Dr. Z and her team do both.
Final Thoughts
This mastermind was one of the most generous, honest, high-integrity professional experiences I have ever had.
If you are considering joining Dr. Z’s community, training, or mastermind, do it.
If you want surface-level education, look elsewhere.
If you want real mentorship, practical strategy, personal growth, meaningful relationships, and a team that truly wants you to win, this is the place.
I am deeply grateful I attended.
My husband and I, both veteran chiropractors, attended the most recent Dr. Z Mastermind Intensive. Our time spent there was very efficient for fast paced learning in business and clinical information. Dr. Z, having run her own successful health practice, is so inspiring and helps to expand our vision and opportunities. I am honored to work with the person, Dr. Z, who is making a mighty mark on this world by training practitioners to be leaders in health care. We need more Functional Health Care providers! I highly recommend considering this comprehensive program if you are ready to grow in all aspects of offering Functional Medicine.
Attended my first Mastermind with Dr Z. It was an awesome, eye opening experience in learning Functional Health. The knowledge of Dr Z and her staff as well as their willingness to help and educate is outstanding. Every staff member was welcoming and very helpful. The content of the program is extremely comprehensive and growing on an at least weekly basis.
A Life-Changing Experience Beyond Anything I Expected
I joined FMA after seeing one of Dr. Z's ads — and saying "yes" to that moment has been one of the best decisions of my life.
I recently attended my first Mastermind retreat in Cancún, and I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation. The core of the experience was the learning itself — the teachings were immediately actionable, and being able to apply them right away made the growth feel real and tangible from day one. I came in thinking this would simply be about building a business and a clinical practice. What I didn't anticipate was that the cherry on top would be the unexpected connections, bonds, and friendships formed along the way.
I walked away with so much more than knowledge — a genuine community of extraordinary people who show up with zero judgment and real, unconditional love. We built the kind of bonds you'd only expect from family.
And the setting? Cancún has always been on my dream list, and experiencing it for the first time in this context made it even more magical. The whole trip was mind-blowingly amazing — my only regret is that I didn't stay a little longer.
Dr. Z has created something truly rare: a culture that is warm, nourishing, and deeply supportive, while simultaneously being led by one of the strongest, most results-driven leaders I have ever encountered. She has a gift for making every person feel seen, welcomed, and cared for — and that sets the tone for everything. Meeting her in person was a privilege.
If you're on the fence — take it from someone who has now experienced it firsthand: once you're part of FMA, there is no turning back. Life genuinely gets better. The growth, the connections, and the impact of this retreat are unlike anything I've experienced before.
I cannot wait for the next Mastermind.
This week, I had the privilege of attending Dr. Z’s Mastermind in Mexico, and the experience was nothing short of transformational.
From the moment the sessions began, it was clear that this was more than just a business training—it was a deep, intentional investment into each individual in the room. Dr. Z and her team showed up with a level of excellence, clarity, and generosity that created an environment where real growth could happen.
What stood out most was the depth and range of what was covered. Whether someone walked in with an established functional medicine practice or was just beginning their journey, every session met you where you were and stretched you further. Dr. Z addressed every layer of building a successful business—from refining one-on-one consultation scripts that convert with integrity, to integrating the latest advancements in AI to streamline and scale operations.
There was no guesswork left on the table. Every detail was intentional. Every strategy was actionable.
Beyond the education, there was a powerful sense of community—being surrounded by like-minded professionals committed to growth, excellence, and truly helping people heal. That energy alone made the experience invaluable.
This Mastermind did not just provide information—it provided direction, confidence, and a clear path forward.
I love Dr. Zs webinars because they are fast moving and information packed. If I wasn't dealing with medical and financial issues at the present time I would have signed up in a heart beat. I think what you get for the program cost is extremely generous and when I am able to afford it I will be her student. Plus I think she appears to make learning fun.
Dr. Z and her team are amazing. The program offers so much support from cinical, buisness, technology, and even emotional. I have been in the program for 2 years and don't put nearly the effort that I should into all the education that is offered, and still am successful and finiancially ahead. Image if I put 100% effort. You really can't fail. I highly recommend.
Just learning more and more with every webinar!
I feel so dumb! I've been in practice 30 years, retired 10 years ago and feel so behind! You're helping me to get going again!
The learning curve is sooo steep for me as I'm an older DC and new ND and yet feel I must stay up on new information. FM is the wave of the future, it's the real deal.
You and your team are head and shoulders above everyone else in the business, and your Lab Dx is light years ahead of everyone else. I want to work with you forever! As soon as I can get the money together I'm joining you. I had a quad bypass that cost me everything we had, so now working to make enough to join you.
Thanks again!
Dr. Michael Koch DC, ND
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