For several years prior to joining FPC, Jeff Hunter, NP at Upstream Functional Medicine, was practicing in a traditional model, growing increasingly tired of feeling constrained by the system, and searching for a better way. Everything changed the moment he discovered functional medicine. He had finally found the path towards providing people with adequate care and self-empowerment; but still lacked the vehicle to make it happen.
After hearing Dr. Webb speak at a seminar, Jeff realized that FPC had the blueprint that would enable him to successfully make the switch. So, he and his wife Anna made the trip to San Antonio for a discovery day and took a courageous leap into entrepreneurship.
“It was pretty terrifying,” Anna said. “We both quit our full-time jobs to start a medical practice. But it worked.”
“It worked,” Jeff echoed. “Dr. Webb and the FPC model really opened the door for me. I went ahead and just jumped in with both feet and left one practice and started a whole new one.”
Together, Jeff and Anna run a strong and successful business. They have an entire team who is dedicated to educating others to take ownership of their health and they are grateful for each person’s commitment to their mission. They repeatedly hit their goals and say that they built their amazing team by following the FPC hiring process and staying positive through any transitions that occur.
“We just followed the instructions,” Jeff said.
“From the get-go, I just did what Mindi (Team Coach Specialist) said to do,” Anna added. “I don’t think anyone is ever like, yes! I get to hire again; because it’s a process and it takes time away from the other tasks that are on your plate,” she continued. So, I think just being willing to be in that process with the right kind of attitude is important. If I’m trying to hire and I’m upset about it the whole time, then I’m not going to attract the same candidates as I would if I’m just really excited to hire.”
Jeff and Anna’s excitement about each team member was evident as we spoke about each person’s role within the practice.
“She is passionate and does what it takes to make Upstream run like a well-oiled machine,” Anna said about Kimberly, Business Manager and Clinic Director. “Johnny’s (Functional Practitioner) ability to speak truth and move people into action is profound. Caitlin (Health Coach) cares deeply and is phenomenal at connecting with others. Sarah (Wellness Assistant) always chooses joy and has a smile on her face even when things are hard; and she is always ready to help. Kathryn (Wellness Assistant Support and Jeff and Anna’s oldest daughter) has the true heart of a servant and has been with us since day one.”
The team of seven is continuously looking for ways to evolve and develop their skills and at the forefront of their unity is communication. They begin each team training with “clears and wins” where they allow each person to share both a “clear,” by bringing up any oversights or distractions they learned from; and then a “win” by mentioning something they excelled in and are proud of.
“We work hard to have a culture that’s just open and honest,” Anna said.
“It helps us have the hard conversations we don’t want to have sometimes, Jeff added. “It’s part of our core values and how we operate. And then it’s a relief for everybody in the end.”
Upstream’s core values are not confined to the practice’s hours of operation. Jeff and Anna explained that they live by their values daily and they encourage their team members and practice members to do the same. They exhibit this by incorporating their community into some of their off-site team building and Jeff says that it is just one of the ways they can help facilitate and encourage exercise.
“We started going on hikes with our practice members and then on one of those hikes somebody started talking about pickleball and everyone got excited. So, we’re having an educational clinic on pickleball this next month. As health ambassadors we want to help create an avenue for them to get healthier and we want to build a community, so we have them invite their friends.”
Jeff and Anna not only consistently strive for growth in all areas of their own lives, but they also believe this to be a highly admirable quality in others. They spoke at length about how each of their team members continuously looks for ways to evolve and Anna described it as a “hunger for growth.”
“The culture that they’re stepping into is how do we grow? What do we need to do different? We’re going to hold each other accountable and we’re going to step into really being our best so we can serve one another; and it’s fun.”
Are you ready for your own success story?
If you are, I have good news! We can get you results like this. It won’t be easy, nor will it happen overnight, but I’ve seen it happen so many times that I can tell you that’s it’s possible.
You’ve got to be hungry, driven, up for the work, listen more than you talk, complete more than complain, implement plans more than you announce them, and show up daily with a beginners mind. If you’re ready, it’s time to get to work!
