Meet Elise Clark

We recently connected with Elise Clark and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elise, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I think overcoming imposter syndrome is an ongoing process, but opening my own practice really pushed me to grow in this area. It forced me to reflect on where I find my professional worth, and I kept coming back to my patients’ successes. Over time, I realized that my loyal clientele wouldn’t continue trusting me if I didn’t truly know what I was doing. In functional medicine, there’s always more to learn, and I used to think I’d eventually “arrive” and feel completely confident. Now, I’ve come to embrace that continuous learning is part of mastery. Recognizing that I have a strong foundation and a track record of helping people has allowed me to own my expertise with much more confidence.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a nurse practitioner specializing in functional medicine with a focus on hormone-related issues such as thyroid disorders, perimenopause, menopause, testosterone optimization, and conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), postpartum challenges, and PMS.

My approach is truly whole-body — I look beyond symptoms to ensure that key foundations like nutrient status, gut health, sleep hygiene, and lifestyle are optimized. What excites me most is helping patients feel better through simple, targeted interventions. I use a combination of lifestyle modifications, supplements, and prescriptions, always guided by a “less is more” philosophy. Sometimes optimizing something as straightforward as vitamin D, B12, or iron can dramatically improve energy, mood, and hormonal balance.

What sets me apart is my realistic, sustainable approach to functional medicine. I’m not going to recommend 35 supplements or an overly restrictive diet. Instead, my goal is to help patients make practical, long-term changes that support lasting wellness and disease prevention. I also believe strongly in a team-based model of care and often collaborate with nutritionists and health coaches to ensure patients have all the tools they need for success.
The most exciting development in my career has been co-founding a new practice with Everest Goldstein, a fellow nurse practitioner. Together, we offer telemedicine-based functional medicine services across Texas. We created the kind of practice we always wished existed — a one-stop, collaborative space where patients can access multiple providers and specialties, receive truly comprehensive, whole-person care, and experience the highest level of personalized service and support.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The most impactful qualities throughout my journey have been integrity, humility, and a passion for knowledge.
To me, integrity means always doing what’s right for the patient — even when it’s not the easiest or most convenient path. Humility has meant being comfortable admitting when I don’t know something and being willing to find the answer. It’s also about remembering that I’m no better than anyone else; I’m simply here to help. And a passion for knowledge has driven me to keep learning, because in order to be an effective provider, you have to stay curious and continuously grow.

My advice for those early in their journey is to stay in your lane. You don’t have to be good at everything. Find your niche — the area that truly excites you — and focus on building a solid foundation there first. Once you’ve developed that expertise, you can expand from a place of confidence and strength.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was provide a stable, loving environment. Their strength and consistency gave me the confidence to step out and try new things, knowing I always had a safe place to land if things didn’t work out. They also taught me that the most important thing in life is relationships — and that those connections should always be nurtured and protected.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evergreenfunctional.com and https://www.eliseclarkhealth.com
• Instagram: @eliseclarkfnp/@evergreenfunctional

Image Credits

We are a virtual practice so I don’t have other photos right now!