Stephanie Brookshier, RDN, ACSM-CPT, shares how she balances two completely different jobs where she focuses on nutrition and also a small, non-nutrition-related business with her fiancé. Learn how you can find balance with two separate careers and have fun along the way. – Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics? I’m not one of those people with vivid memories from early childhood, but I’m sure that if I was they would include nutrition and health. I’d be like, I remember as an infant thinking my mom’s breastmilk was the best!

But really, I have loved learning about nutrition and health ever since I can remember. In high school, when my buddies were sleeping in as late as possible before school started, I was up early with my stair stepper, popping my fave Denise Austin workout VHS because I enjoyed working out. I was talking to my friends about the cholesterol in eggs (hey, it was the 90’s, so eggs were still villainized) and encouraging them to go for the unsweetened iced tea instead of soda.

So when I went to college and had to choose a major at 18… dietetics was the only real choice for me.

Your Job Title? Whatever I want to be called that day, haha. I work for myself. More realistically CEO, CFO, dog mom, chef, writer and more, depending on the day.

Company you are with now? I own a small business (non-nutrition related) with my fiancé that I help run full time and do cooking classes, wellness presentations, and individual nutrition counseling part time.

Website:
Stephaniebrookshier.com

Social Media:
 – Twitter: @stephbrookshier
 – Instagram: Stephbrookshier
 – Facebook: Stephbrookshier.rd

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you? There is no typical day-in-the-work-life for me, and that’s how I like it! My days are filled with emails, telephone consults, prepping for presentations, reading the latest nutrition research and trends, Quickbooks, fielding phone calls and lots of other aspects of running the businesses. The only constant is the 3 daily walks with my dog Coco who we rescued from the Korean meat market about a year ago.

How did you get your current job in dietetics? Most of my current and recent clients are through networking- friends of friends or former client referrals. When you open up to people and show who you really are- quirks and all- you’ll draw the right client base to you. Say yes to all opportunities that intrigue you and push you slightly out of your comfort zone. If I had never done this, I definitely wouldn’t be a business owner today.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I’m learning every day and am currently working on patience and work-life balance. If I’m going to be of any good to my clients or family, I better schedule some me time for a nap, bath, meditation, reading, writing, watching football or painting.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? Assuming that others want to be as successful and fulfilled as me, I’d have to say be yourself and follow your gut. If something is right (or wrong), deep down you know it.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what  would it be? Definitely travel- flights, hotels, transportation. Somewhere warm and sunny sounds great right now.

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.