Dietitian Jobs Career Spotlight

Meet Toni Toledo, MPH, RDN, a firecracker and motivator. Stacey met Toni at a Bay Area Dietetic Annual Conference as fellow speakers. Stacey talked about LinkedIn and Toni shared how to move forward with making a health podcast.

Toni is truly elevating our industry by collaborating with fellow dietitians and empowering them to know their value and worth. With her podcast, PATH Positive Approaches To Health, she has used this powerful platform to enhance the voice of the dietitian among other health and wellness professionals.

I’m delighted to share her incredible career path. She’s experienced a lot of different jobs and positions which have all had such a strong impact. - Sarah


What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
Oh, how much time do you have? 😊 It started off early for me as I grew up in a home where the focus was on enjoying movement, sports, PLAY, etc. and eating healthy, simple and delicious foods.

My mom was WAY ahead of her time in exploring plant-forward meals---way back in the 70’s. I was so fortunate to grow up in a home where food was celebrated for not only how it tastes but how it makes you feel.

What a blessing that was for me! On top of that, I was drawn to the field because our work can impact so many people and help people THRIVE.

I do not see it as a career –I see it as a CALLING.

Your Job Title?
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Virtual Speaker, Trainer, ACEND Reviewer and Podcast Host

Company you are with now?
Sutter Health/Palo Alto Medical Foundation + PATH Positive Approaches To Health Podcast

Website:
www.thepathpod.com

Social Media:
- Instagram: @thepathpod

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-toledo-a739b8117/

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
The days of the week that I am teaching classes and counseling for PAMF I generally spend quite a bit of my time with client calls and follow-up sessions/emails, virtual meetings, counseling sessions, curriculum development and collaborating with my co-workers on special projects, etc.

The other days of the week—I might be creating content for the podcast, scheduling and or conducting interviews for the podcast.

I spend much of my time in production editing and promoting the podcast. It is a lot of work but a labor of love!

When I am in the throes of doing a training with the Adult Weight Management team---we collaborate to create and/or update the curriculum to keep up with the latest research findings, etc. Truly—there is not a TYPICAL day which might be part of the reason I love what I do. There is so much variety and for me “Variety IS the Spice of Life!”

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
Let’s just say that I have been around a while…during my internship I realized that I had a penchant for Public Health. I had lived in Europe and wanted to use my Spanish-speaking skills.

My first couple of jobs were in Public Health departments serving the WIC population, migrant families and the Adolescent Family Life Program. That seemed like a great fit. It felt like I was in my lane and I loved that work so much.

However, the opportunity came up to apply for a Maternal and Child Health Traineeship at the University of Minnesota and I went for it! I tossed my hat in the ring and was delighted to be accepted for that special graduate school experience working alongside world renown researchers.

I was so inspired by my fellow classmates and the incredible faculty. When it came time to move back to California I worked at the Stanford Center for Research and Disease Prevention. There I was able to straddle research AND direct service.

Later I learned of an opportunity to work in direct service where I could promote health and weight management with a clinic where I’d be able to work long-term with clients. I could see them each week, have lots of follow-up and a solid coaching relationship to help instill lifestyle changes. I have been working with Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Sutter) now for over 20 years.

I would never have thought that I’d stay ANYWHERE that long but working two days a week with PAMF affords me the chance to participate in many projects and collaborations. Over the years I have been able to teach nutrition and cooking in elementary schools in Campbell, CA.

I also partnered with another dietitian to teach health-related classes and cooking demonstrations for myriad Silicon Valley tech companies. I am fortunate enough to be part of the ACEND review team which is both a challenge and a great opportunity to learn and contribute to enhance the quality of our field at our institutions.

Recently I have joined the training team with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Certificate of Training Program in Adult Weight Management. I am so proud to be part of this illustrious team of educators and stellar staff that brings such a high-quality program to other RDNs.

This part-time status has also allowed me to collaborate with my dear friend (and fellow RDN) Jenny Pitcher to bring our podcast out into the world! The process of creating and hosting our PATH Positive Approaches To Health podcast has been so challenging, rewarding and enlightening. Working with my great friend and talented dietitian, Jenny, is a delight!

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I am a hard worker. I have a strong work ethic. I think my curious nature and life-long learner tendencies help me.

I am always open to learn and grow in LIFE and in our profession/field. I have always been a “people person” meaning that I LOVE to connect with others and to connect people to each other. I have always been a conduit of sorts.

One of my nicknames has always been “The Glue” and I am proud of that moniker (funny as that sounds). I love to have great conversations, take on challenges, learn and be inspired by others.

I have always felt that there is plenty of room for all of us, there is no need to compete but rather collaborate. I feel like our field is evolving and I sense that we are working harder to collaborate and LIFT each other up and in so we are elevating the field to a new level. I love to see this.

I have learned to be humble at times, that having an open mind is vital, that being kind is critical, that what I have to offer is valuable and that there is always something to learn or glean from a situation---even if it is a difficult one.

I have also learned that I am VERY proud of our profession and that we need to use our voices, to speak up and be heard. We are the trusted voices in nutrition and dietetics…we need to have that confidence and conviction.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
This is the easiest of these questions for me to answer…I say…”SAY YES TO THE ADVENTURE!” We are blessed, as RDNs, that there are endless possibilities in this field and as the times change---so do we and so does the field.

If I were to advise the 22 year old Toni Toledo (starting off as a newbie in this profession), I would tell her to honor what makes her special.

I would tell her to toss her hat in the ring and be ready to go out of her comfort zone.

I would tell her to volunteer more, collaborate more, be very creative and confident and to trust that if she honors WHO she is and her gifts ---she will do great things.

Trust your gut, know and honor who you are, and “Say YES to the Adventure!”

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what
would it be?
The currency that I’d want to be compensated with would be…(wait for it…) A-ha! Moments. You know how it is—when you are working with someone and it finally CLICKS for them, that lightbulb moment where you see the glint in their eyes or hear it in their voice. This is the best reward.

The reason I am doing this work is to experience that and to celebrate those moments, along with feeing inspired and having immense gratitude for a job where I can be part of someone’s life-changing journey.

Those moments are invaluable and propel me toward many more years of learning, growing and continuing to help others, inspire change, and impact lives for good.

[Toni is so good!!! - stacey]

About the Author

Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist specializing in Weight Management and Sports Nutrition for youth and adults. She writes articles for multiple publications, provides customized nutrition coaching, and is a brand spokesperson. She is founder of MIJA, a superfood supplement company, and Haumea Health, a fertility wellness clinic. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.