What made you want to become an RD?

I grew up in Florida with a backyard straight from paradise… a pool, palm trees, flowers, and fresh mint overflowing in every crevice, and best of all, tangerine, lime, orange, and grapefruit trees drooping with fruit. This imagery, paired with a mom who enjoyed cooking from around the world, and I learned early to discover new flavors and celebrate food. Much later, my childhood food follies spilled into a semester abroad in Italy, where I indulged my senses even more. Thus a passion for good food became a theme in life. At the same time, I always loved science and have been fascinated, in particular by the human brain. I studied Neuroscience in college and loved merging the worlds of science and psychology. Nutrition seemed like a beautiful combination of all of these worlds colliding. 

Could you give a brief background on yourself and how you became an RD?

I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. Following college, I traveled a bit and spent some time exploring and working in the food industry. Once I decided I wanted to pursue nutrition, I attended the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-CH, where I received my master’s degree in Public Health and became an RD. With a passion for making healthy food accessible for everyone, I began my nutrition career with nearly eight years at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. I started their Nutrition, Farms & Gardens programs before starting my private practice.

What is it that you do?

My mind is constantly running, so it’s no surprise that I do a variety of things! I work primarily one-on-one with clients (often while on a walk) through my private practice. My goal is to help individuals put aside cultural pressures and find their version of health while thinking of health more holistically. This may include talking through strategies to improve sleep, stress, mood, energy, movement, gut health, sex, and much more. We do this by digging into their lives, environments, habits, state of health and then developing new skills and tools to help them change in a way that will last.

In addition to one-on-one, I work with corporate groups leading workshops on various nutrition and health topics. I love getting people in a room together because we all have so much to share that often does not come out! Finally, after my history with local food and nonprofit organizations, I consult for local nonprofits who work in the food realm.

Where do you hope to see your career go in the future?

I always feel like I have so much to learn and so many places to go. Similarly, I have a million projects and directions I’d love to pursue based on gaps I’ve seen in the past few years. On a deeper level, I see this repeating trend of women who struggle with body image and understand what health means for them. And yet, they all feel alone since no one is talking honestly with each other about these issues.

Based on this, I have the itch to work with women in group settings and work together to change body image stigma, stop prioritizing weight, and learn from one another. One of the downstream effects of this is that I have seen more and more teens in recent months and feel a pressing need for both moms and teens to talk more about what it means to be healthy and how to do this as a community.

What is one thing you wish people know about being an RD?

About me specifically as an RD… That I will never judge you for what you are eating, what your kids are eating, or your appearance. There is so much to each of our stories; I can never assume that I know yours. Nor do I know what is suitable for you and your family at this moment. We are all so different, and that’s part of what I love about my job – figuring out what is right for you. 

Are there any suggestions/tips for RDs or future RDs out there looking into more unconventional positions in the dietetic field?

So many. But let’s start with this … Explore and challenge yourself to think creatively. Explore your environment, be aware of what is going on and what are the hot topics. Talk to neighbors, moms, dads, kids, friends, chefs, local organizations, and especially those not involved in the health world. And listen. Learn how to listen to find out the pressing issues, what people are struggling with, and where the gaps are in what is available. Then think creatively about how you can fill those gaps in a new way.