Hey Truth Seeker,

We believe everyone deserves to eat with confidence and feel at home in their body. That’s why our at-home test kits reveal dietary intolerances, environmental sensitivities, and imbalances for both people and pets.

Austin’s Journey

I grew up in a world where people often accepted discomfort as a part of life. Something to just “deal with.” For my family, finding clear answers for everyday health challenges was difficult, and watching my warm-hearted aunt navigate chronic health struggles left a lasting impact on me. Even our family dog faced ongoing digestive and skin sensitivities, showing me firsthand how daily diet and environment can impact overall well-being.

These experiences instilled a deep desire to explore health from every angle. How holistic wellness practices can complement traditional care. From a young age, I wanted to live a full, vibrant life and sought to learn how my body responded to my daily choices. In college, I pursued baseball and found myself struggling with my own daily wellness. Skin flare-ups, joint discomfort, digestive issues, and fatigue. Following the “eat everything and lift heavy” advice, I overloaded my body and unknowingly disrupted my gut balance. Without access to individualized nutrition or resources, I realized how essential it was to understand not just what I put into my body, but also how my unique system responded.

When I discovered the impact of non-IgE food intolerances on my energy and overall athletic performance, I shared my findings with teammates. Many were skeptical, but as results showed in our performance, my teammates began to see the value in this knowledge. Senior year, as we advanced to the College World Series, I was also building 5Strands with Lisa and Ethan, working remotely while juggling academics and athletics.

What started as a personal journey became a mission: to make actionable health insights accessible and meaningful, so people could take charge of their daily well-being and thrive. At 5Strands, we aim to provide functional wellness tools that empower individuals and pet parents to understand their unique bodies. Helping them make proactive lifestyle choices alongside their standard healthcare routines.

Lisa’s Journey

For years, I dealt with lingering health discomforts that left me searching for deeper answers. I wanted to explore every avenue for my well-being, which led me to look beyond conventional routines and incorporate holistic wellness solutions. I began learning about non-IgE food intolerances and was shocked to find out that even something as seemingly healthy as salad was working against my unique system. I discovered I was sensitive to three types of lettuce, and removing them from my diet made a profound difference. Through these personalized dietary adjustments, I managed weight, restored my daily energy, and reclaimed my quality of life.

Seeing the impact on my own health, I began sharing these insights with my family, especially my daughters, who experienced similar transformations. Becoming a mom on a mission, I knew other children and families were out there struggling with unexplained discomfort, with parents feeling helpless and seeking clear guidance. This mission is what brought me to 5Strands. We wanted to make intolerance testing affordable and accessible for every family, because everyone deserves to understand their body's unique needs.

Inspired by European wellness approaches that emphasize bio-individuality, our testing empowers people with practical insights. Today, with 5Strands, I'm proud to be part of a company that gives people the tools to understand their systems and take proactive control of their everyday wellness in an accessible, supportive way. Something I believe every parent and individual should have access to.

Note: The stories shared above reflect the personal experiences of our founders. 5Strands tests provide functional wellness insights and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, nor do they replace the advice of a licensed physician or veterinarian.

Austin's Journey

I grew up in a world where people often accepted discomfort as a part of life—something to just “deal with.” For my family, answers from medical professionals were limited and often came with a heavy price tag but little relief. Watching my warm-hearted aunt endure 10 pills a day and multiple injections until she passed away in her 50s left a lasting impact on me. Even our dog faced endless digestive issues and skin problems, and every trip to the vet drained a significant portion of my mom’s paycheck, only to provide temporary fixes that never addressed the root cause.

Lisa's Journey

For years, I dealt with lingering health issues that conventional treatments barely touched. I was given extreme recommendations—even surgery with potential life-threatening risks. But I decided to go a different route, seeking holistic solutions. I began learning about food intolerances and was shocked to find out that even something as seemingly healthy as salad was working against me. I discovered I was intolerant to three types of lettuce, and cutting them out made a huge difference. Through diet changes, I lost weight, improved my energy, and avoided surgery

Envisioning a
Healthier Tomorrow

Our vision goes beyond individual well-being. We strive to make stress testing an integral part of everyone’s health routine. Food intolerances and environmental sensitivities are constantly shifting over time. We hope to cultivate a global community empowered with the insights to preemptively address discomfort and truly thrive in health.

Blake

Von

Maddy

Stephanie

Krista

Empowering Our Community

"We are so grateful for the chance to help our community. Every test kit is assembled bv a member of Creative Enterprises, a nonprofit organization that provides training and employment opportunities to individuals with a variety of disabilities. Here at 5Strands we strive to improve the lives of all who are associated with our company. We like to find and enhance the strength in those around us which is why we partnered with Creative Enterprises. We believe that all life is sacred and that everyone has a right to be as independent as possible. The purchase of this product allows us to enrich multiple lives."

Ethan Steed - COO

At 5Strands, we're committed to making a difference, from supporting veterans to aiding animals in distress. We proudly donate test kits and share a portion of our proceeds to help those in need.