Melissa Stroud, MD

My name is Melissa Stroud. I'm a 40-something wife, mom of two teenagers, and physician.

Like most humans these days, I struggled with my weight and my health most of my adult life. And like most women, I thought it was all about the scale.

I tried all the things. Diet plans, shakes and bars, medications, personal trainers, and even a severely restricted medical weight loss meal replacement program that cost in excess of $5,000. I had success, but nothing that was lasting. And nothing made me feel better and have more energy.

I felt like a failure. I'm a doctor. I'm supposed to have the answers, right? I have a bachelor's degree in biology and a flipping medical degree. I've mastered courses in biochemistry and genetics and human physiology.

But I couldn't figure it out. Nutritional dogma tells us it's all about the calorie... and that you need to focus on whole grains (which don't actually exist in a grocery store) and "lean" protein. Heaven forbid you eat butter or a steak. Have some sugar-laden fat-free, chemical-laced, "fruit" flavored yogurt.

Since 2013, I've been on a discovery journey learning more about nutrition and how our "Standard American Diet" is wreaking havoc on our metabolism and our health.

But it wasn't until 2022, shortly after this photo (left) was taken, that I greatly shifted my focus. I was diagnosed with a form of arthritis in my spine. Everything hurt. Not only was I 100+ pounds overweight, but it hurt to move. My mobility began to be affected. It began to impact my life.

I stopped worrying so much about the scale, and started to pay attention to which foods caused inflammation. Spoiler alert... it's all processed food. The biggest driver of inflammation and disease in Western civilizations is sugar, specifically fructose and high fructose corn syrup. And HFCS is in everything. Even that previously-mentioned “fruit” yogurt.

I started eliminating processed food. My rules are pretty simple. I only eat things that grew in the ground or on the ground, had a face, or came from something that had a face. Ya know, just real food.

Within a year, I'd drastically improved my arthritis and my inflammatory labs. But other things began happening, as well. I slept better and woke rested. My GI junk (probably would have been diagnosed with IBS had I complained about it) disappeared. My eczema and rosacea went away. And I dropped 80 pounds that felt effortless... not because I wasn't trying, but because it was no longer my gauge for success. I simply focused on how I felt, and let the scale take care of itself.

This approach to health is simple. But that doesn't mean it's easy. I searched for help along the way. And I participated in several different programs, but none were a good fit for various reasons. Mostly, they were too stringent, took too much time, were too behavior-focused (white-knuckles and all), or just cost too much.

I read books, attended seminars, listened to podcasts, and did a lot of trial-and-error. And over the past year, I have decided to put my process and what I've learned together in a simple, easy-to-follow course and help others who are struggling like I was. Rhize Journey was born in January of 2024, and here we are.

If you are where I was, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, I'm here to help. Join me!

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The information provided by Rhize Journey, LLC, (“we”, “us”, or “our”) is for general informational purposes only. All information in the program(s) and affiliated site(s) is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information. 

This is not a Medical Practice and does not provide a Medical Service. No interaction with any of the staff of Rhize Journey, LLC, shall constitute a doctor/patient relationship.

Rhize Journey, LLC, its program(s) and affiliated site(s) cannot and do not contain medical advice. The nutrition information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. 

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