Meet dietitian, Alex Raymond, RD, LD, CEDRD, who has drive and ambition. She’s on a mission to help people establish better eating habits and build better relationships with their bodies. Read on to learn how she got her start and built a private practice to serve and support clients with eating disorders – Sarah (updated Dec 2020)

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
From a young age, I was always in the kitchen with my Nonna (Italian grandma). We cooked things like gnocchi and Easter bread on a regular basis. I always loved food and experimenting in the kitchen. Then, in senior year of high school, I started running. I quickly learned that nutrition played a huge role in becoming faster and stronger, so I began to do research on my own about proper nutrition for running. When it came time to decide a major, I knew I wanted to do something nutrition related, but I didn’t know too much about dietetics or what it entailed.

At the University of Maryland Freshman open house, I attended a session about dietetics and fell in love. The science courses and competitive dietetic internship surprisingly didn’t scare me off. Throughout my college experience, I grew as an “RD2Be” and discovered my goals for the future was to help other people develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies. It took some time and lots of growth, but I eventually found the Health at Every Size (c) and anti-diet approach. Eating disorder work became my passion and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

Your Job Title?
Eating disorder dietitians in Maryland and co-founders of Courage to Nourish Nutrition

Company you are with now?
Courage to Nourish Nutrition

Website:
couragetonourish.com

Her amazing list of resources:
Courage to Nourish Resources

Social Media:
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coura...
– Instagram: www.instagram.com/courage.to.nourish

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
Each day of the week varies for me! I work in either our College Park or Columbia Office. We also see virtual clients (at this moment I'm writing this during the covid-19 pandemic, where 100% of our clients are virtual). Over the years, I've become less of a morning person, so I don't start seeing clients until 10am. That's probably my favorite thing of being in private practice :). You get to set your own schedule!! I typically see new clients for about 90 mins. and follow-ups for about 50 minutes. The majority of my clients see me weekly and 100% of my caseload is eating disorders.

Outside of seeing clients, I spend time networking, marketing, blogging, and finishing various admin tasks for running a business. My practice has 5 other dietitians: 1 partner and 4 other team members. We also have a virtual assistant who helps us with discovery calls and admin.

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
After school and my dietetic internship, I got a job at a private practice in Maryland. Over time, as I learned more about HAES and anti-diet nutrition, I knew it was time for me to leave this practice and start my own. I wanted to own a practice that fully aligned with my values as a clinician, like trust, compassion, empowerment, and HAES-aligned. It was scary and difficult to take the jump, but it was so worth it.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I’ve always had drive and ambition. I’m an extremely hard worker and am willing to learn to improve my skills and become a better RD. I am also compassionate, a good listener and caring. I have learned how to be more confident in myself and am continually working on my counseling skills. Supervision has been crucial!!

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
If you're thinking about opening a private practice, do it. We need more private practice dietitians. Our work is so valuable! It definitely will be difficult at first, but remember there is always a learning curve, so don’t be so hard on yourself and take every opportunity as something to learn from. Also, always ask to be paid what you are worth.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be?
Plane tickets and trips around the world !!

Sarah Koszyk is founder of Family. Food. Fiesta. A family-based wellness program and blog focusing on recipes, family health tips, and videos with kids cooking in the kitchen. She is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach specializing in sports nutrition and adult and pediatric weight management. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn.

Originally posted 2016