About Trisha

firsTrisha Howell, MSH, RD, LD/N, IFMCP
CEO & Founder, Smart Wellness® | Your CSI for Gut Health

Boston native turned Florida sunshine-seeker, Trisha’s journey into nutrition began after the birth of her first son, when she realized new moms lacked practical, trustworthy guidance for raising healthy kids—especially in the pre-internet era. What began as a single nutrition class sparked a deep calling, leading her to transition from an early career in the fashion industry to one in healing and preventative health.

When her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 8, Trisha became fiercely dedicated to uncovering the why behind chronic illness. This life-changing event ignited her passion for root-cause investigation and led her into the world of gut health—where she quickly became known as “your CSI for gut health,” helping patients solve the mysteries of complex health issues that conventional care often overlooks.

With advanced degrees in clinical nutrition and registered dietitian training, Trisha went on to lead impactful wellness initiatives across schools, nonprofits, and national organizations. Her collaborations include the University of Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She created and implemented nutrition programs for youth in urban, rural, and underserved communities facing high rates of obesity and diabetes.

In 2012, she discovered Functional Medicine and enrolled in the Institute for Functional Medicine’s highly specialized training. Upon completion, she became the founding dietitian and Manager of Nutrition Services at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, the first functional medicine clinic in a hospital setting, collaborating with leading physicians such as Dr. Mark Hyman and other pioneers in the field.

Today, as CEO of Smart Wellness®, Trisha blends science, intuition, and deep investigative insight to help patients unravel the root causes of complex chronic illnesses—especially those rooted in gut dysfunction. She specializes in supporting individuals with digestive disorders, autoimmune conditions, and inflammation-related diseases who have not found answers through conventional care.

She also consults with clinics, corporations, and community organizations—offering functional medicine nutrition presentations, program development, and clinical training on reversing and preventing diet- and lifestyle-driven disease.

Board Member – Center Achievement
Volunteer – JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
Ambassador – ArtSmart World Foundation

When not teaching or healing, Trisha enjoys hiking, biking, zip-lining, and traveling to nature-filled destinations with her husband, son, daughter-in-loves and precious grandson.

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