beginnings
how I got started | Being a 35 year old mom of an 8-year old
daughter, with a paralegal degree, a recent divorce, and making ,000 a
year as an admin at a college of nursing, I so hungered to know more
about nutrition, its effects on the body, mind and spirit. I longed to
know more so that in time, I could share the teachings with those who
didn't realize they should hunger for more knowledge. Directing a group
exercise program at a local gym and teaching classes helped to buy
groceries. A new love in my life helped in all other financial areas.
And I studied and studied and studied and graduated with a summa cum
laude degree with only two B's the entire four years! It wasn't always
easy - working in a rehab hospital one day a week for six months (to
help me qualify for a dietetic internship) meant leftover mashed
potatoes and gravy and lima beans for dinner for a few nights. Yes, my
family complained after a bit. Graduating led to an offer to head a
corporate wellness department at a large hospital in Little Rock, AR and
other chances of a lifetime brought me to Boston.
inspiration
why this job?| Ever since I turned my own chubbiness as a
pre-adolescent into a body I was comfortable with, I have been in love
with nutrition and exercise. Voraciously, I read everything I could for
years, and became a group exercise teacher when the first hi-lo aerobic
exercise shoes were just being introduced into the market by Reebok.
From there, from a deep and hidden desire to reach perfection, I taught 5
hours of high intensity cardio classes and strenuously lifted weights 7
hours a week and became a strict vegetarian. Through the years,
intensity has remained but the course has changed - yoga is the
spiritual vehicle that also keeps me flexible and toned. When my eyes
were opened to the possibility of a career in nutrition, I leapt upon it
with fervor - and after a stint in corporate wellness and over 8 years
managing an outpatient nutrition and weight management center at a large
academic institution in Boston MA, I ventured into the vast unknown of
private practice. Even in these darker days of economic recession, life
offers more than my share of invitations to join others on their
journey. Nutrition clients and yoga clients are plenty, their need
strong, my gift to them sincere, and together, we pave the way for deep
internal exploration that leads to peace and harmony, as well as
exceptional health.
love
why I love this job!| Being a participant on the journey of change.
Witnessing the success of others.
Beginning the healing process to stop the pain.
work
my typical day| At 7am, I arrive at the home of my beautiful
semi-retired yoga clients, then enjoy a delicious practice of my own
before teaching a Gentle Yoga class to an older population. Dashing
home, I allow a once weekly treat of a soy latte then my nutrition
clients call in. Often, I see a new nutrition client in the late
afternoon, early evening and end the day with a gourmet vegetarian meal
and a glass of vino.
challenges
what they are | The pay in the field of dietetics can be low, the
hours long, especially if you work in an academic or teaching hospital,
and staying current in every medical nutrition therapy area.
upside
all about growth | The growth is what you make it and where your
interest lies. There is nowhere a dietitian cannot go- to the media as
a spokesperson, in laboratories as a scientist, managing kitchen staff
and inventory, business management, culinary chef, writer, teacher,
inpatient units, outpatient counseling, private practice.
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