About Dr. Sam

Get to know Dr. Sam
For over 20 years, Sam devoted his life to health and science, learning how to heal himself by cross-training across multiple health disciplines and functional medicine, now using the same principles with his online clients.
Sam’s health journey began as a boy, learning to overcome a decade-plus of severe insomnia, gut problems, an inflammatory diet, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and two addictions (video games and sugar).
Sam dedicated his life to alleviate physical, biochemical, and emotional suffering and help others reach the highest human potential and creativity. He crossed-trained extensively, including a doctorate in chiropractic, degrees, and certifications in acupuncture, functional neurology, genetics analysis, and functional medicine.
Dr. Sam uses advanced functional lab testing and integrative coaching to collaborate with you to help you achieve your health, wellness, longevity, and high-performance goals.
“I decided to share my health issues with Dr. Sam to see if he could help. I had lots of inflammation, insomnia, poor digestion, and blood sugar issues to name a few.
He clearly and concisely explained why certain things were happening. He also had the integrity to let me know that without proper testing, we really couldn’t be sure. It took some time, but eventually, I signed on, got my lab tests, and had my first consultation. His explanations were so easy to understand, I knew why I changed my diet, added the specific supplements, and made every lifestyle change.
I would love to help you.
Book a consult call to see if you’re a candidate for Dr. Shay’s comprehensive concierge coaching program, including the 10 Pillar Method™, Functional Medicine, and Functional Genetics.
“I never got to thank you for helping my wife identify the problems in her liver, it’s because of you that we now have our beautiful baby girl.
Also thank you for pointing my attention towards my video game addiction, I deleted every game off my computer just after the baby was born.
In my opinion you’re one of the most significant medical minds of the 21st century.
I’m deeply grateful for you and your work.”
Primary clinical focus
Dr. Sam Shay helps you solve your chronic health mysteries with, specialized genetics analysis for determining the best way to lose weight, genetics-based diet determination, sugar addiction cessation, screen addiction cessation, gut health, including hidden infections like candida, auto-immune concerns, sleep problems, hormone imbalances, advanced lab interpretations – especially mitochondrial, adrenal, liver, gut, thyroid, genetics, & micro-nutrients.
Author of:
- Biohack Your Biohacking – a commonsense guide to the 10 Pillars of Health and functional testing.
- Your Missing Genes – Your revolutionary method to find your ideal diet, balanced weight, and help “Stop-the-Clock” of the effects of aging
- Ending Adrenal Fatigue: Easy Breakfast Guide – A free ebook for download.
- Unplug from Gaming Disorder: 7 ways to game less – ebook, with audio and video walkthrough.
Creator of:
- Turn Stress into Freedom: The Work Online – DIY Course – Dr. Shay’s unique, online approach to learn The Work of Byron Katie. (Note: if you use Brave browser, open in a different browser).
- Reclaim your Energy – DIY Course – a unique self-directed online course to reclaim your energy with the 10 Pillars of Health.
- Flourish Out Of Addiction – DIY Course – a unique self-directed online course to reverse your addiction, whether it’s food, sugar, video games, smoking, or otherwise.
- Over 70 educational health videos on Youtube
Featured Media:
Functional Genetics:
- 3 Types of Genetics-based weight loss – interview with Dr. Beaver, PhD on the new approach to genetics analysis that reveals which genetic type one is for imbalanced weight.
Functional Testing:
- Interpreting an advanced Mitochondria Lab test – from the “Mitochondria Summit” hosted by Dr. Jay Davidson.
Biohacking & the 10 Pillars of Health:
- “Biohack your Biohacking with the 10 Pillars of Health” on the Biohacker Babes podcast with Renee and Lauren
- “The 10 Pillars of Health” on the Pushing the Limits podcast with Lisa Tamati
Emotional Eating, Food Addiction:
- “Betrayal, Moral Injury, and Addiction – Roadmap to Recovery” on the “Betrayal to Breakthrough” podcast with Debi Silber
- How to Quit Sugar Addiction (Youtube Playlist of interviews)
Excessive Screens, Social Media & Video Game Addiction:
- “Understanding How Gaming Disorder & Gaming Addiction Are Affecting Our Kids” on the Wellness Mama podcast with Katie Wells.
- iPoster Summary of revolutionary framework of “TAME the BEAST” of Addiction – presented at the 2019 Annual International Conference for the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM).
- Interview by IFM on the “TAME the BEAST” model for addiction. Done at the 2019 addiction conference.
“Dr. Shay was a wealth of information, professional, clear spoken, funny, engaging, relatable, and he really cares about the topic. My audience loved his material and would happily have him back.”
10 facts about me.
I am:
- A stand-up comic
- Now back in the USA after living in New Zealand for 8 years
- An eBook author (4x) and published 3 online courses
I’ve overcome:
- Sugar and video game addictions
- Severe fatigue, anxiety & depression
- Bad gut problems, chronic pain
For fun, I like to:
- Watch stand-up comedy
- Listen to podcasts
- Dinner with friends
- Play with my wonderful dog
Coming soon:
- Book on Better Sleep
- Book on Sugar Addiction

Education:
Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner
Institute for Functional Medicine, Federal Way, WA, Graduated 2020.
Kalish Institute for Functional Medicine – clinical mentorship
(Program ongoing) Kalish Institute, Reno, NV, Nov 2017-present
Kalish Institute for Functional Medicine – 6 month “My Practice Plan”
Kalish Institute, Reno, NV, Jan 2018-Jun 2018
Fitgenes Certification course
www.Fitgenes.com, Auckland, NZ, 2016
Post Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences in Acupuncture
Auckland University of Technology Post Graduate Program, Auckland, NZ. 2013
Fellow American College of Functional Neurology
American College of Functional Neurology, Cape Canaveral, FL, USA. 2010. (Fellowship is inactive as of 2018 since switching to 100% virtual telemedicine consults).
Diplomate American Chiropractic Neurology Board
American Chiropractic Neurology Board, Temple, TX, USA. 2009. (Fellowship is inactive as of 2018 since switching to 100% virtual telemedicine consults).
Doctorate of Chiropractic (Honors: Summa Cum Laude)
Teaching Assistant in anatomy labs and/or neuroscience labs 2005 – 2007
Taught “Art of Test Taking/Art of Study” to incoming students 2005 – 2008
Parker University (formerly Parker College of Chiropractic), Dallas, TX, USA. 2008
Bachelor of Science: Human Anatomy
Parker University (formerly Parker College of Chiropractic), Dallas, TX, USA. 2008
Bachelor of Science: Health & Wellness
Parker University (formerly Parker College of Chiropractic), Dallas, TX, USA. 2008
Bachelor of Arts: Psychosomatic Medicine.
Minor: Communications and Rhetoric
Honors: 4.00 GPA. Highest Honors. College Service Award. Thesis Honors. College Honors.
Manager of organic kitchen Coop for ~2.5 years using Weston A. Price Nutritional foundation.
Class notetaker for disabled and injured students.
University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC), Santa Cruz, CA, USA. 2003
Holistic Health Practitioner (H.H.P.), Certified Massage Practitioner (C.M.P.)
UCSC Holistic Health Program, Santa Cruz, CA, USA. 2001
BrainGym® Consultant/Instructor
Educational Kinesiology Foundation, Ventura, CA, USA. 2000