Meet Justin Kempf

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Justin Kempf a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin , 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.

When I first stepped into the world of functional and holistic healing, I’ll admit imposter syndrome was loud. There are so many voices in this industry, and part of me questioned whether my own journey and knowledge were enough. I wasn’t a doctor in a white coat. I wasn’t backed by a big hospital system. What I had was something different: lived experience.

After leaving the Marine Corps, my own health fell apart. Anxiety, leaky gut, fatigue, mold sickness I battled through it all. And for years, I felt unheard in the conventional system. That’s when I made the decision to dig deeper, to study functional medicine, and to apply it to myself. When my health began to shift when I felt the energy return, the brain fog lift, the gut start to heal that’s when the imposter voice got quieter.

I realized something powerful: real authority doesn’t come from a title. It comes from results. Every time a client tells me their energy is back, their digestion is finally working, or they feel like themselves again, that’s another nail in the coffin for imposter syndrome.

Today, confidence for me doesn’t mean knowing everything it means knowing I can guide people to the root cause and walk with them through the healing process. My clients aren’t looking for a “guru.” They’re looking for someone who’s been in the trenches, fought their way out, and has the map to show them the way forward. That’s what I bring. And that’s why I no longer feel like an imposter.

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?

After serving in the Marine Corps, my health completely unraveled. I was dealing with anxiety, leaky gut, fatigue, and even mold sickness, and I felt invisible inside the conventional medical system. Doctors handed me labels and prescriptions, but no answers. That frustration is what fueled my search for a deeper solution. I discovered functional medicine, applied it to my own life, and slowly started healing. That journey became the foundation for everything I do today.

I founded Executive Functional Healing to help people who are tired of chasing symptoms and ready to uncover the root causes of their struggles. I work virtually with clients all over the U.S. high-performing professionals, executives, and everyday people who are battling fatigue, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions, or chronic stress. What makes my approach unique is that it’s never one-size-fits-all. Every plan is personalized, every root cause investigated, and every client treated as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms.

The most exciting part of my work is watching transformation happen. To see someone go from exhausted and defeated to vibrant, focused, and full of energy again that never gets old.

Right now, I’m especially excited about a couple of new things I’ve launched. One is my eBook, “Peptides 101: What They Do, Who They’re For, and Why They’re Not Just for Biohackers.” It’s designed to simplify a complicated topic and give people clarity about how peptides can support healing. I’ve also created a private Facebook community called the Executive Healing Circle, a safe space for honest conversations around health that you won’t find on mainstream platforms. In addition, I’ve recently expanded into concierge packages that include bi-weekly follow-up calls, giving my clients even closer support and accountability on their healing journey.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: people don’t need to be managed, they need to be understood. If you’re ready to finally feel like yourself again, I offer a free 15-minute call to explore whether my approach is the right fit. You can learn more at www.executivefunctionalhealing.com.

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?

Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful on my journey were resilience, root-cause thinking, and empathy.

Resilience and discipline came from my time in the Marine Corps and later from rebuilding my own health. Healing isn’t linear, and neither is building a career or a business. There were times I felt stuck, or even like giving up, but resilience meant showing up anyway. For anyone early on their journey, my advice is simple: build small, consistent habits. Even when the big picture feels overwhelming, those daily disciplines compound into transformation. At Executive Functional Healing, I often remind clients that steady progress matters more than perfection.

Root-cause thinking was another game-changer. For years I was given surface-level answers for my symptoms prescriptions and labels without solutions. Learning to dig deeper, to ask why instead of just accepting what, completely reshaped my health and now shapes how I serve others. My advice for others is this: don’t settle for surface answers. Whether it’s in your career, your health, or your relationships, always ask what’s underneath. That’s where the real change happens. This mindset is the foundation of everything we do at Executive Functional Healing.

Finally, empathy and connection are at the heart of my work. My own health struggles gave me a level of compassion I never would have had otherwise. Today, I know my clients don’t just need protocols they need someone who listens, who understands what it feels like to be dismissed, and who will walk with them through the process. If you’re starting your journey, focus on being present and caring. Expertise can always be built, but true connection is what people remember. That’s why at Executive Functional Healing, healing always starts with listening first.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who is tired of chasing symptoms and ready to finally uncover the root cause of their health struggles. I work with high-performing professionals, executives, and everyday people across the U.S. who are battling fatigue, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, autoimmune challenges, and stress that never seems to let up.

What makes someone an ideal client isn’t just their symptoms it’s their mindset. The people who see the best results at Executive Functional Healing are those who are open to a new approach, committed to the process, and ready to take back responsibility for their health. They don’t want another quick fix. They want answers, strategies, and support that actually last.

If you’re reading this and you’re ready to feel like yourself again, I offer a free 15-minute call to explore whether my root-cause approach is the right fit for you. You can learn more at www.executivefunctionalhealing.com or join my private online community, the Executive Healing Circle, where honest conversations about real healing happen.

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Precious Gems photography

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