Homeless to Healing
How I Rebuilt My Life — Then Rebuilt the System
I was adopted at just eight weeks old, and my life was shaped by upheaval and a relentless will to rise. At twelve, everything changed when my father suffered a catastrophic accident that left him physically impaired. My mother became the family’s sole provider, and we moved from Minnesota to Tulsa, Oklahoma, just as I was preparing to start high school.
I was a
gifted musician
who had mastered eight instruments and dreamed of becoming a music major
until I landed in a school without a music program. So, I pivoted. In Minnesota, I had already earned a brown belt in judo. In Tulsa, I discovered taekwondo and poured myself into it, eventually training my way to national recognition and a legitimate shot at the Olympics.
But behind the scenes,
my life was unraveling.
To help my family and keep chasing my dream, I lived out of my car for over a year, battling not just hunger and hardship, but betrayal and abuse at the hands of people I trusted. It was a season marked by deep pain, but also unwavering grit. I never gave up.
To survive, I worked as a massage therapist, carrying textbooks everywhere and studying between clients. One day, a client saw my potential and said, “If you ever want to go to college, I’ll pay for your first semester.” I said yes — and that yes changed everything.
I graduated at
the top of my class,
completed an internal medicine residency, specialized in sports medicine, and dove headlong into functional medicine.
But once inside the conventional system, I discovered it wasn’t built for someone like me — someone who believed in root-cause healing, in listening to patients, in taking time to address the whole person. When my approach clashed with the clinic’s “treat fast, medicate faster” model, I was asked to leave.
It broke me
— for a moment.
I found myself on the floor of my living room, gripped by anxiety, shame, and the quiet question: “What now?” But through the tears came clarity. I wrote a prayer list — an actual, hand-written blueprint for the kind of practice I wished existed. A place rooted in healing. Wholeness. Truth. I prayed over it. Visualized it. And then I built it.
The Functional Medical Institute
was born.
I wasn’t going
to fit into a broken system, so I created a better one.
I built the clinic I wish had existed when I needed help.
What began with one employee is now a thriving, nationally recognized destination for transformation, serving over 25,000 patients with a global reach.
And along the way, I met Mark.
Together, Mark and I became known as The Real Longevity Doctors TM, bringing the full force of our complementary expertise: my mastery of medicine, empathy, and whole-person healing, paired with Mark’s background in physiology, performance, and strategy. We’ve written seven books, produced eight films, hosted live events, and created the signature “Night of Empowerment” experience that has helped thousands reclaim their health and their hope.
Long before “biohacking” was a buzzword,
I was living it.
Testing saunas, cold plunges, peptide therapy, genetic testing, and nervous system recovery on myself before teaching them to others. When Mark and I finally attended our first biohacking conference, it wasn’t a discovery — it was a confirmation: we’d been here all along.
Today, I focus on helping women
(and the men who love them) stop feeling dismissed, unseen, and stuck in survival mode.
I specialize in uncovering root causes, balancing hormones, and guiding individuals through comprehensive restoration of body, mind, and spirit.
I know what it’s like to feel broken, and I also know what it takes to get back up. My story is proof that you can rewrite yours, no matter where you start.
Because most disease isn’t random. It’s written by habits, mindsets, and cultural norms. And that means it can be unselected, rewritten, reversed.
My mission is simple: to help you reclaim your health, hope, and freedom — and build a life you love waking up to.
Real People.
Real Results.
Real Reversals.
25K+ patients served · 4M+ online reach · 22+ years transforming lives
If you’re looking for positive change in your health, I recommend Kingdom Fuel.
A complete meal replacement, or a boost for your workouts. I enjoy it, and hope you’ll give it a try!
I've enjoyed Kingdom Fuel all season, and highly recommend this healthy shake!
I have learned so much to improve my health journey from Dr. Mark and Dr. Michele and feel better than I have in years.
I was confused about what supplements I should be taking with so many different advertisements out there, but they were able to tell me exactly what my body needed after getting bloodwork results and I now have issues under control that I have dealt with for years. I highly recommend FMI to anyone who desires a Dr that cares about getting to the root of a problem rather than just getting prescribed medications with negative side affects.
I’ve been seeing FMI for years.
The entire office is professional and very nice that goes from the facility, the staff and of course the doctors. I would highly recommend FMI to anyone that is trying to maximize their health and live longer. This is not your typical doctors office that simply wants to give you a pill due to lab results. I feel very fortunate to have Mark and Michele expertise and experience in helping me optimize my health based on my individual needs. Thank you to your entire team!
Dr. Mark and Dr. Michele are very accommodating. Icing on the cake is I'm down 25 pounds and counting.
Friendly staff! The doctors are so patient and answer questions in very easy to understand explanations and are willing to discuss a variety of ways to get you and your body operating at peak performance! Never judgmental when you're stuck, just very helpful and encouraging! I love this place! We drive 2 hours for our in person visits when needed and zoom call the other.
Dr. Sherwood and staff take time to clearly explain everything affecting your health journey.
It can feel daunting when getting started, but everyone is intentional about making sure you understand and are comfortable with all aspects of their plan for helping you achieve optimal health.
Values
Empowerment
Equip individuals with the tools and confidence to take ownership of their health.
Truth
Challenge broken systems and communicate with honesty because people deserve clarity and transparency.
Resilience
Demonstrate unwavering grit through adversity, teaching others how to rise stronger through every setback.
Integrity
Lead by example, living what is taught and sharing only what has been proven to work.
Compassion
Foster a safe, judgment-free environment where people feel heard, seen, and supported.
Hope
Cultivate a belief in what’s possible — not just in health, but in the full transformation of life.
Book
Dr. Michele Sherwood
to Speak
If you’re looking for compassionate truth, science that makes sense, and a speaker who connects from the heart, Michele is your choice. Whether it’s a keynote, retreat, or wellness summit, she brings practical tools, hope, and inspiration that help audiences take the very next step toward real transformation.
