What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics? A strong interest in science, health, human anatomy and physiology, a drive to pursue a career that serves others, and a love for cooking and uniting friends and family over a wholesome meal.

Your Job Title? Registered Dietitian & Nutrition Consultant

Company you are with now? Sun Basket (full time), Bite For Change (personal consulting)

Websites:
www.biteforchange.com
www.sunbasket.com

Social Media:
– Twitter: @DietitianLKane
– Instagram: @DietitianLKane 

Sun Basket Social Media:
– Twitter: @sunbasketmeals
– Instagram: @sunbasket 

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you? Bite For Change: blogging, 1v1 coaching (in person or via skype/phone), grocery shopping and in home cooking with clients, hosting a workshop or presenting. Learning about independent entrepreneurship (really into https://fizzle.co/).

Sun Basket: working with the chefs in the test kitchen (recipe development, menu planning), conducting nutrition analysis, drafting nutrition guidelines and quality standards, writing content for The Sun Times, shooting Facebook LIVE cooking demos.

How did you get your current job in dietetics? Getting super clear on my career goals, going to conferences, joining dietetic groups and meeting as many people as possible, saying “yes”, stretching myself, and always diversifying (keeping my hands in several projects).

A note on relationships and success: Most of my projects/contract work under Bite For Change come from authentic networking, which I define as connecting with like-minded professionals who share a similar passion for health and wellness or mission-driven business professionals, genuinely engaging in real and honest conversations, fostering and maintaining the relationship, and giving more than taking (even when there may not be an obvious return on the horizon) — I can’t tell you how many casual and informal introductions that initially seemed irrelevant or insignificant, have come full circle and resulted in new introductions, new leads, new projects, referrals, collaborations, mentorship, mastermind groups, and above all, friendship.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I was definitely born with intrinsic motivation: I’ve always had an internal fire inside me to work hard and push the limits. During my youth, this usually translated into putting my head down and getting to work, whether it was studying harder and longer hours, or putting extra time in after practice for sports. While this work ethic is great, as I’ve grown older I’ve learned to find balance between being independent/figuring it out on my own, vs reaching out, asking for help, learning from others – often times the learning curve is much faster via the latter, and once again, relations are formed via the latter – a double bonus. Because I was initially an “independent learner”, I was also pretty uncomfortable speaking in front of an audience – even if I knew the answer, I didn’t want the teacher to call on me. I had to make an active effort to place myself in settings that forced me to come out of my shell, be vulnerable, and find my voice – whether it was nutrition workshops, news segments, cooking classes, corporate presentations — and now I actually enjoy these speaking engagements!

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? I’m going to have to quote Nike and say “Just do it”. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good. Perfection doesn’t exist, so if you wait to until you have perfected your blog, your online webinar, your business plan, whatever it may be, you’ll never actually ship it. You know way too much and have too much to offer to wait for perfection before you release your product or service to the world. It’s your social responsibility to “just ship it” – deliver your services to your clients and help them improve their health and happiness. As time goes on, you can always continue to iterate your product and make it better. Nothing is permanent. This is something I still have to remind myself everyday!

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? Vacation with friends and fam :)

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.