Interview

When traditional medicine failed to provide answers, Christie Steiger took matters into her own hands. What began as a personal health crisis evolved into a mission to rethink how we approach wellness at its core. Today, as the founder of Innovative Wellness Center and ZyraLife, she combines functional medicine with advanced quantum-based insights to help individuals uncover root causes, restore balance, and perform at their highest level. Her work is not only transforming individual lives, but also challenging the way modern healthcare operates.

Q: Can you introduce yourself and share how your journey into health and wellness began?

I’m the founder of Innovative Wellness Center and ZyraLife. About ten years ago, I got sick and went through everything Western medicine had to offer in Des Moines, Iowa. I wasn’t getting answers, and I knew that wasn’t how I wanted to live. So, I went back to school for three and a half years to become a functional medicine practitioner.

As I started learning, people around me began asking for help. It felt like I had found something meaningful. I began working in chiropractic offices a few days a week, but the more people I saw struggling with their health, the more it became a deeper calling. Eventually, I opened my own medical clinic and went even further into studying quantum physics because I felt like functional medicine alone was not enough.

Q: What personal experience led you to pursue health optimization as a career?

I was healthy growing up and never had medical issues. But after having my first child, everything changed. Within a year, I had gained a significant amount of weight; I was constantly exhausted, my skin was breaking out, and I didn’t feel like myself at all.

I went to multiple doctors, and they all told me my labs looked fine. But I knew I wasn’t fine. The medications they gave me made me feel worse within 24 hours. That’s when I realized I had to take a different path. I started learning, studying, and applying what I was discovering. Over time, I was able to heal myself.

Q: How did your early efforts to heal yourself shape the way you practice today?

I was in functional medicine school at the time, so I was learning how to read lab work and understand how everything in the body is interconnected. I started applying that knowledge, focusing on nutrients, lifestyle, and supporting my body properly.

But I quickly realized that many practitioners weren’t running the right tests or going deep enough. Even today, people come into our clinic with basic lab work that doesn’t provide real answers.

Q: What inspired you to open your own clinics and build and integrative modal of care?

People were looking to me for guidance, even on things like managing medications, which was outside my scope at the time. I wanted to do things the right way, so I built clinics where we have both functional medicine and medical providers working together.

We offer full family practice services, but we also go deeper. Patients can choose how far they want to go, whether that’s basic annual labs or a more comprehensive approach that includes quantum analysis.

“Everyone deserves to feel their best and live out their purpose.”

Q: Who do you primarily serve, and what makes someone an ideal client for your work?

I work with a lot of executives and high-performing individuals, including athletes. Because our services are cash-based, it naturally attracts people who can invest in their health.

But really, my ideal client is anyone who doesn’t feel like themselves and hasn’t been able to get answers. Everyone deserves to feel their best and live out their purpose.

Q: What are the most common symptoms or concerns your clients come to you with?

The most common things I hear are fatigue, brain fog, and people saying they just don’t feel like themselves. We also see a lot of gut issues.

What’s interesting is that the same root cause can show up differently in different people. One person might have headaches, another joint pain, but the underlying issue could be the same, like heavy metal toxicity.

Q: You incorporate quantum testing into your approach. How does this work in simple terms?

Quantum testing is based on the idea that everything in the body has a vibrational signature. We use a biofeedback test where a client sends in a small hair sample, and we analyze it against thousands of known signatures, including nutrients, toxins, pathogens, and organ systems.

Every substance carries its own frequency. By measuring how the body responds to those signatures, we can identify what is creating stress or imbalance. This allows us to quickly determine the body’s top priorities instead of guessing or running multiple rounds of testing.

Q: How does quantum testing differ from traditional lab work, and why does that matter?

Traditional lab testing is only as good as the sample, and most of it relies on blood. But about 90 percent of the body’s energy and function happens inside the cell, and that’s not fully captured in standard labs.

The body is also very protective. If there are toxins or pathogens, it often stores them in tissues, joints, or fat rather than letting them circulate in the bloodstream. That’s why many people are told their labs are normal even when something is clearly off.

With quantum testing, we’re able to look at the body on a deeper, cellular level and identify patterns that may not show up in traditional labs. It also helps us narrow down exactly what to test further, saving both time and cost.

Q: Once you have that data, how do you translate it into a treatment plan for your clients?

The test gives us a detailed report that outlines the body’s top stressors and priorities. It can show whether someone is dealing with heavy metals, mold, or other imbalances, along with the key nutrients and antioxidants they’re lacking.

It also highlights which systems need the most support and even provides guidance on foods to focus on or avoid. From there, we create a personalized wellness blueprint based on what the body is asking for.

We can layer in traditional lab work if needed, but often we already know where to focus. The goal is not just to label a problem, but to give the body what it needs so it can restore balance and function the way it was designed to.

Q: Do you typically work with clients short-term, or is this a long-term relationship?

We build strong relationships with our clients, but my goal is for them to get well as quickly as possible. I don’t want people to stay sick.

I personally do comprehensive testing twice a year to stay ahead of any issues. It’s about catching things early and maintaining optimal health.

Q: What is your long-term vision for your work and its impact on healthcare?

I want to make this level of care more accessible. Right now, it’s often considered a luxury because insurance doesn’t cover it.

We’ve partnered with a nonprofit clinic in Houston where all profits from our services help fund care for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access. My vision is to change healthcare by giving both patients and providers better tools.

We also work with other clinics and practitioners, allowing them to integrate our testing into their practices so they can get better results for their patients.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you are currently facing as you scale this vision?

Scaling operations is a big one. Our clinics have grown quickly, so we’re focused on refining systems and processes.

The other challenge is capital. Expanding this vision and making it more accessible requires resources.

Q: What value to you bring to a network of entrepreneurs and leaders?

I help people perform at their highest level. If someone doesn’t feel like themselves, I can help identify why and fix it.

I also bring connections and resources. I believe in giving more than you receive, and I’m always looking for ways to support others in their growth, both in business and in health.