How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two daughters. They are 3.5 years and 10 months old.
What do you love about living in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor?
I love Iowa City because it has everything I want: small town charm, friendly people, fun events for my family, safe places to enjoy the outdoors, good food, and diverse events.
What’s your favorite restaurant and/or place to shop in the area?
Favorite restaurant: Casa Azul
Favorite shop: RSVP
Tell us about your career.
I have been a registered Dietitian for 7 years. I’m currently working at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as the Outpatient Organ Transplant Dietitian. I also have my own private practice where I support moms in feeding their families in a way that promotes a good relationship with food.
Why did you decide to become a Dietitian?
My parents are fitness fanatics – my mom teaches group fitness classes and my dad is an exercise physiology professor and strength coach for a college football team. I played sports in high school and got interested in nutrition for performance. My work today is very different than I thought it would be when I enrolled in dietetics my freshman year of college, and I’m grateful for all the twists and turns that led me to where I am today.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is seeing the transformation a family can have when they adjust their mindset. Eating is supposed to be pleasurable, but our culture teaches us the opposite. There is so much more to nutrition than “getting vegetables in”, and once a mom can let go of the push toward perfection, it is amazing to see what she can do.
How do you juggle work with mommyhood?
I have found that setting boundaries with work helps me be a better mom. I get to work on my business during nap time or after the girls go to bed, but I make sure to leave free time for hanging out with my husband and for myself!
How has your job changed during COVID-19?
My own private practice has not had to change much! My one on one coaching is done completely virtually at this point.
What’s your advice to moms in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis?
There’s so much information out there, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Maybe you’re following a bunch of parenting coaches, pediatricians, dietitians, therapists, and fitness influencers and you can’t figure out what to do because there are too many options! My advice is to find one expert that you trust and relate to in each area, and then stop looking.