I grew up in a loving family with many privileges.  I also grew up in a family where diet culture had a strong presence. Dieting was a common topic in my house and much emphasis was placed on body shape and size. If you didn't like the way your body looked, the answer was to change it. I grew up with a body that was bigger than my mom's or sister's which added to my struggles. 

Throughout my life, I attempted to change my body through various diets and exercise routines. Anything that initially resulted in weight loss, ultimately led to regaining the weight (plus some). 

After college I found a passion in Pilates. I went on to become a Pilates instructor. During that time, I held the belief that without a certain diet, exercise alone was not sufficient. With a passion for helping others, I decided to go back to school and earn my Master's degree in Nutrition from Framingham State University and become a licensed Registered Dietitian. My education and internships provided me with a strong understanding of medical nutrition therapy, but from a very weight-centric lens. Fresh out of school I was equipped with the tools to promote weight loss, but something didn't feel quite right. Patients would come seeking weight loss help, we would come up with a plan, and, if weight was lost, the results were temporary. I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the right approach and I wasn't comfortable continuing to counsel patients in a way that led to this back-and-forth, frustrating path. 

I began searching for answers. That is when I found the Intuitive Eating framework, the Health at Every Size (HAES) philosophy, and impressive activists promoting weight -inclusive care. The framework and philosophy instantly resonated with me.