Trease Smock

In 2001, Trease began her career as a Registered Nurse in cardiology and critical care. Through the years, Trease remained focused on patient-centered care, quality outcomes, operational excellence, and team development.

In 2010, she transitioned into a leadership role by advising teams of nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, all while directing operations for a vascular and vein specialty practice.

Trease’s appreciation for nurses developed when she faced her own health challenges as a young girl. Observing the compassionate care that nurses provided inspired Trease to stay committed to her lifelong passion for helping others. Her 25 years of experience working in the nursing field guided her efforts towards integrative functional medicine by providing family wellness support, mental health advocacy, and education for first responders and their loved ones.

In 2014, Trease’s advocacy for first responder wellness began shortly after her family’s devastating loss of her father — a then retired law enforcement officer who served over two decades. “My world changed forever,” Trease recalls.

“As a child and devoted Daddy’s Little Girl, I experienced overwhelming grief, anger and confusion as I watched my father struggle with mental wellness, which led to his eventual suicide. There were days when I felt as though I was simply existing, unsure of how to move forward. Through grief counseling, faith, and support, I slowly learned how to navigate life without my father.”

Determined to transform tragedy into purpose, Trease began sharing her story to support law enforcement families and help prevent other children of first responders from losing their parents.

In 2016, Trease co-founded an organization for survivors of suicide to help promote first responder mental wellness. The fully non-profit organization is known today as Protecting The Guardian. “When I co-founded PTG, I realized there were other advocates out there who shared my mission — others that wanted to protect first responders from the consuming darkness of suicidal thoughts,” Trease explained, as she talked about connecting with Mark DiBona, a sheriff’s deputy who served with Trease’s father, and retired nurse, law enforcement Sergeant, and military veteran, Ron Clark.

In 2016, Trease also became a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant and began supporting medical malpractice defense cases through expert clinical review, case analysis, and standards-of-care evaluations. She has since transitioned her nursing expertise into the medical-legal arena, expanding her work into criminal medical forensic consulting.

In 2019, Trease sought out a deeper understanding of health and disease prevention, as she expanded her expertise by becoming a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and Integrative Functional Medicine Practitioner. “My philosophy centered on addressing the root cause of health concerns and empowering individuals through lifestyle, nutrition, and wellness strategies,” Trease said, as she spoke of how her commitment to wellness led her to compete as a national fitness competitor. In 2019 and 2020, Trease earned the Mrs. Orlando International title. She used her fitness platform to advocate nationally for mental wellness and suicide prevention.

In 2026, Trease and her significant other, Denver, launched Root for the Cure Functional Medicine Health & Wellness. Together, they help those struggling with unknown causes of their health concerns to identify and address the root causes. Their initiative focuses on personalized wellness, nutrition, and functional medicine strategies.

Trease practices self-care by spending time with Denver and their two Labrador retrievers, Thunder Jack and Hunter Bo (who also live a functional medicine, root cause puppy lifestyle). Trease enjoys the beach, playing pickle ball with friends, and motorcycle rides through scenic mountain roads.

Through her unique blend of clinical expertise, executive leadership, functional medicine knowledge, medical-legal consulting experience, and mental wellness advocacy, Trease remains an active PTG Board Member and is committed to helping others find healing, hope, and purpose.