Specializing in: Autoimmune, Chronic Inflammation, Metabolic Dysfuntion, Hormone Balance and Digestive Health

At Carolina Sunshine Functional Wellness, we offer personalized support designed to help you get to the root of what may be contributing to imbalance in the body.

Whether you are looking for functional testing, coaching support, or self-paced education, there are several ways to work with us based on your goals, needs, and season of life.

Ways to Work With Us

Functional Testing + Personalized Guidance

For those who want deeper insight into what may be happening beneath the surface, I offer select functional wellness packages that may include specialty testing, education, and personalized wellness guidance.

These options are ideal for individuals seeking a more targeted, root-cause approach.

Functional Wellness Coaching

Coaching packages are designed for those who want personalized support, accountability, and practical wellness strategies focused on areas such as inflammation, gut health, hormones, lifestyle balance, and foundational healing support.

Courses + Educational Programs

If you prefer to learn at your own pace, my courses and wellness programs provide step-by-step education and encouragement to help you build healthier habits and better understand your body.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Carey Shannon, DHM, DFM, PhD

Functional Wellness and Joyful Living Educator | Coach |Speaker | Author

Carey Shannon, DHM, DFM, PhD, is a Functional Wellness and Joyful Living Educator, Coach, and Author with over 30 years of experience bridging education, clinical healthcare, and whole-person wellness. As the founder of Carolina Sunshine Wellness, Carey is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate inflammation, autoimmune conditions, hormone imbalances, and metabolic dysfunction through a root-cause, anti-inflammatory approach.

An educator at heart, Carey began her career teaching elementary students (K–2), where she cultivated her passion for guiding others in growth and discovery. She then pursued a path in healthcare, becoming a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and gaining valuable clinical experience in pediatric settings. Blending her love of teaching with her medical background, Carey went on to teach high school Allied Health and Medical Technologies, where she inspired and prepared the next generation of healthcare professionals.

She later expanded her impact across both education and healthcare, serving as a college professor and program director, where she helped develop and manage a thriving Allied Health program. This unique journey—from classroom teacher to clinical professional to program leader—gives Carey a rare ability to bridge science and real-life application in a way that is both practical and empowering.

Carey has earned her doctoral-level credentials in Holistic and Functional Medicine (DHM, DFM, PhD), reflecting advanced, integrated training in root-cause, whole-person wellness. She also holds a Bachelor’s and Graduate Degree, along with extensive training in anatomy, nutrition, pharmacology, telehealth, and blended learning. In addition, she holds a Career Technical Education credential in Health and Medical Technologies and a Certificate in Health and Wellness—bringing together a unique blend of clinical knowledge, educational expertise, and practical application.

Known for her compassionate and engaging teaching style, Carey specializes in translating complex health concepts into simple, sustainable lifestyle shifts. Her work is rooted in the belief that true wellness comes from strengthening the foundation—supporting the body, mind, and spirit—rather than simply managing symptoms.

Signature Programs & Areas of Focus

Carey is the creator of several transformational programs and initiatives designed to support lasting wellness, including:

• The Healthy Family Initiative (Raising Well): A whole-family wellness framework focused on healthy eating, joyful movement, and emotional resilience
• Sugar-LESS: A signature program helping individuals reduce inflammatory sugar intake and support metabolic balance
• 7 Small Shifts to Big Relief: A step-by-step functional lifestyle program designed to reduce inflammation and restore energy through simple, sustainable changes
• Root-Cause Functional Wellness Programs: Focused on uncovering underlying imbalances and restoring harmony within the body

Her work centers on:

• Root-cause wellness and functional lifestyle strategies
• Metabolic, hormone, and inflammatory balance
• Family-centered health and prevention-focused education

Author, Educator & Speaker

Carey is the author of The Sugar Break Up and the Journey to Wellness Series, as well as Raising Well: The Mindful Child Method—Building a Strong Foundation with Healthy Eating, Movement, and Positivity. She is also the creator of the Traveling Tazi children’s book series, reflecting her passion for teaching through storytelling and adventure.

In addition to her wellness programs and coaching, Carey continues to support schools, educators, and communities through curriculum development, professional training, and speaking engagements. Whether she is guiding a client, teaching a class, or presenting on stage, her mission remains the same: to help others live brighter, lighter, and more connected lives.

Carey’s work is rooted in science, guided by nature, and driven by a deep commitment to helping others create lasting, joyful wellness from the inside out.

We do not diagnose or treat disease. We investigate functional imbalances, identify root contributors, and support the body’s natural ability to restore balance.

Affiliate Disclosure + My Promise to You 💛

Some of the links in the above “Favorites” guide are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. 

I’m part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which simply allows me to share products I personally use, love, or recommend as part of a functional, root-cause approach to wellness.

Every item included here has been thoughtfully selected to support simple, sustainable shifts—things that can help you feel more nourished, supported, and aligned in your everyday life.That said, you are always encouraged to purchase from any source you prefer. 

These links are simply here for convenience and to make it easy to find the exact products I’m referencing.Thank you for being here and for supporting my work in such a meaningful way.