Meet Nancy Ferriello, MS, RDN, CDN, who has been working in the dietetic industry since her teens. Learn how she began her path to become a successful, seasoned dietitian, now in the field as a Health Coach/Wellness Consultant. – Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics? I grew up in an Italian household in which much time went into planning and making of delicious meals. At 15 years old, became a volunteer at a new, state- of –the- art chronic care facility; at 16 was a dietary aide there, a food service supervisor and then a dietitian upon my college graduation. That was where I was first learned about a dietitian. After that, I accepted a position as a nutritionist at Westchester County Office for the Aging and have always loved to help prevent institutionalization and improve quality of life. Went on to homecare for several years to do the same. Gained much public speaking experience in those positions by conducting staff trainings and wellness programs for the community and in corporations. Also, a guest speaker for American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association.

Your Job Title? Nutritionist in Private Practice and Corporate Health Coach/Wellness Consultant

Company you are with now? Private Practice in Westport, CT and Impact Health (see her LinkedIn profile)

Website: http://www.nutritiontoliveby.info

Social Media:
 – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyferriello
 – Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancyferriello
 – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanc...
 – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy...

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you? Post photos and write about food I have made or share nutrition information on social media: my blog (on my website) and twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. I sometimes work on projects as a board member of Friends of Sherwood Island, largest Ct state park and see patients, conduct a supermarket tour, cooking class or corporate wellness program, attend a computer class or health coach for a corporate employee wellness program.

How did you get your current job in dietetics? Started a private practice 26 years ago when a doctor in my community suggested I do so after we shared an enlightening conversation and started health coaching when a large teaching hospital started an employee wellness program.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I was born being creative with food and to have an appreciation for nature. I learned about patient centered care from my Planetree training working at Griffin Hospital, became a REIKI practitioner, Servesafe certified and certified smoking cessation facilitator upon completion of training for each. Continue to work on social media skills and my blog as a form of self-expression and to share information with the community. Won the culinary challenge contest for northeast region while working in the marketing department at Whole Foods Market in which I trained demo staff for 8 departments for daily demos, weekly storewide tasting demos and other special events year round.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? Be open to exploring all opportunities as they arise. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to take the road less travelled.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what  would it be? Continued training in areas I have not gotten to yet such as in the area of sales.

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.