As a working professional I saw first hand how intimidating and confusing it can be to understand your body’s relationship with food. Prior to my career in nutrition I graduated with a double major in Communications and Screenwriting from Loyola Marymount University where I went on to work in front and behind the camera in television. In my mid-twenties I took a break from working 50+ hours a week in entertainment and went to Liberia Costa Rica for 6 months where I volunteered at a school teaching English. I loved working with children and young adults but I couldn’t deny the absence of nutrition education that I noticed in many of the families. This is where I realize that often poor nutrition is not caused by lack of willpower, but by lack of education. Upon returning from this trip I knew I wanted to go back to be able to teach nutrition to everyone.
Since completing my masters I have been able to combine my experience in media with my education in nutrition to help spread the importance of using optimal nutrition to prevent chronic disease as well as work one-on-one with clients to help them reach their nutrition goals.
My early career as a fashion model also launched my journey into pageants where I won Miss Arizona in 2019. These experiences had one thing in common, they solidified the importance of optimal nutrition. The truth is “feeling your best” and “looking your best” isn’t found in a quick fix or fad diet, but rather in evidence-based and mostly plant-based nutrition. During my master’s degree program and dietetic internship program at San Jose State University I also discovered the importance of using optimal nutrition to prevent and manage chronic disease. Sharing this knowledge in simple ways so we can all start living our best lives has become the bedrock of my practice. Additionally, the beauty of nutrition is that unlike medications or surgical procedures, it is a tangible and instant way to not only take control of your health but to also empower those around you to do the same.
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