My Nutrition Road
Youngest of four (by a long-shot), I grew up on Mac and Cheese, Skittles, Doritos, and Sprite. I say that to assure you that it’s never too late to improve your health and IT’S OKAY that your kids don’t eat perfectly. Look at me now - I’m teaching other people how to fuel their bodies! Do you trust me?
Until the age of about 15, I did not give much thought to what I put in my mouth and I was probably kind of a picky eater. I ate what my mom fed me (sometimes), school lunches (aka cookies and diet coke), and whatever was in the snack drawer. Body image woes settled in during my freshman year of high school, as they often do. As a result, I started packing my own lunches, eating more veggies, and observing what other people ate. I witnessed several friends battle eating disorders. I watched the women in my family try different fad diets. I became interested in food and relationships to food - so much so that it made me want to become an eating disorder therapist (I had always been told I was a good listener, anyhow).
During my first year of college at UW-Madison, I pursued psychology. I quickly decided I did not want to go to school forever to get my PhD to become a therapist. So, after taking a Nutrition 101 course and being required to see a dietitian to maintain weight as a lightweight rower, I decided to become a dietitian. I loved how they focused on counseling AND food. I’d say I passed with flying colors, but do you know how much chemistry we have to study? A LOT. Out of college, I went to graduate school and studied Vitamin A in multi-colored carrots and orange corn. I lived in Zambia for a summer to do field work, raised gerbils and pigs, and wrote several papers. After graduating (and not matching to an internship), I had a few “fun jobs” as a tour guide, group fitness instructor and personal trainer. In 2015, I completed my dietetic internship, passed my exam, and landed my first job as a Registered Dietitian. I started my career as an inpatient float dietitian (though I knew that wasn’t my calling) and finally settled in a Weight Loss Surgery clinic (definitely where I wanted to be). Weight Loss Surgery is not something I thought I’d be interested in because I had a lot of misconceptions about it. However, one of the joys of counseling for me is to get to see my patient’s growth over a long period of time. I get to see patients from their initial assessment, prepare them for surgery, and then see them forever after surgery. It has truly been a joy, I feel like I’m making a real difference, and I love being an expert in Weight Loss Surgery.
Over the last decade, my understanding of nutrition has changed drastically — especially as my identity shifted from collegiate athlete to graduate student to young professional and now to mama. The more I talk to my patients and clients, the more my heart softens. I have always been able to easily empathize, but seeing the desperation that my patients and clients have to become healthier amidst all of the noise has taught me so much more. My time in surgery has taught me how important nutrition education is (and how little we receive) and how detrimental diet culture is to our wellbeing. I have learned that emotional eating and negative food relationships can be fixed if given the time and space to work and heal. I have learned that I can teach you how to honor your body and give you the freedom to enjoy food - and I have learned that is my passion.
Other tidbits about me that you probably don’t really need to know, but here goes:
I am currently raising a baby girl, 2 psycho labs, and 3 chickens.
I love to cook (most of the time), but I suck at following recipes.
My life goal is to go to all of the US National Parks. I have been to 15, so far (most when I was a tour guide!). My favorite is Yosemite - it is a magical place.
I have a solid yoga practice, but wish I meditated more regularly.
Exercise is my stress relief, brain fixer, anxiety buster. Give me some weights, a spin bike, and a playlist and my therapy session is complete*.
*I also see a therapist from time-to-time to manage my anxiety. I started seeing a therapist because one of said psycho labs made me lose my mind.
My favorite sweet treat is brownies. But I also love all the sweet treats.
My favorite savory dish is a creamy, garlicky bowl of pasta or anything with mushrooms.
I hardly ever finish books, unless they’re for book club. I have about six books on my night stand right now just begging to be read.
I started my book club and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of! Creating community.
In 2018, my husband and I (with an organized group) rode our bikes along 200 miles of the Canadian Rockies. I’m terrified of biking, so it is one of my greatest accomplishments.
I have 5 tattoos and I want more. The next will be a cactus for my baby girl.
I completed my advanced scuba diving certification in Indonesia on the Gili Islands.
I love teaching group fitness classes and hope to do so until I physically can no longer.
I met my husband at a Milwaukee Brewers game. We went to the same summer camp when we were little and he grew up with many of my very good friends. Our paths should’ve crossed several times throughout our lives, but we didn’t meet until after college!
I was a waitress for several years in high school, college and graduate school. I kind of miss it sometimes, though I still have nightmares about it.
When I was a tour guide, I had my commercial drivers license in California. I drove a 15 passenger van with a trailer.
When I retire, I want to work at Trader Joe’s. Is that not everyone’s dream?