I originally met Christina Becker, MPH, RDN, NBC-HWC, through networking and then we worked in the same organization coaching clients. Christina has an amazing career story. She has traveled around the world gaining tons of life experiences and uses her knowledge to coach her clients towards success. Read on to learn how she runs a private practice including the importance of being business savvy, too. - Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?

My first career passion was dance. I studied dance in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and got a BFA as a dance instructor. A chronic back injury invited me to look for a new career path. I knew I wanted to teach and help people in a meaningful way. The nutrition field really called me for two reasons: First, through my dance training I had learned how important self-care and healthy nourishment were for performance and wellbeing and I wanted to share that knowledge. In addition, I had always been attracted to natural and holistic healing methods which I’ve always integrated in my approach.

Secondly, I had witnessed the impact of dieting, poor body image, and disordered eating for so many years in the dance world that I wanted to help dancers/athletes and everyone else learn how to nourish themselves and develop a good relationship with food and their bodies.

Your Job Title?

Founder and Owner of Christina Becker|Nourish

Integrative Wellness & Intuitive Eating Coach

Company you are with now?

I provide 1:1 and group coaching, talks, corporate programming and seminars for Silicon Valley Fortune 50 companies, at Stanford, and my business, Christina Becker|Nourish

Website:

christinabecker.com

Social Media:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinabeckernourish/

- Instagram: @ChristinaBeckerNourish

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?

Since I own my private practice my work days/weeks have become more flexible, which is one of the perks and what I love about it!

My day always starts with homemade chai, meditation, and yoga or a walk/run on the beach.

Most days are a blend of providing individual coaching sessions, hosting webinars, teaching live classes or ongoing programs.

There is admin work such as scheduling, providing email support to clients, working on proposals for new projects, invoices/financial matters, and general biz organizations and networking/marketing.

I do spend a good amount of time doing creative work: Creating education materials, presentations and tools for clients and classes/programming. Last year I was immersed in website and branding work and this year it’s all about social media and marketing.

My to do list never ends so it is important to set clear work/life boundaries. I also integrate rest and self-care into my workday. I feel it makes me the provider I am and enables me to stay grounded and present for my clients:)

How did you get your current job in dietetics?

My career has naturally evolved into owning my private practice.

I started in the hospital setting, moved on to outpatient/community work, dabbled in consulting/sports nutrition before I got a job as a wellness coach in corporate wellness.

I learned so much from these positions and enjoyed working in integrative teams for most of my career.

Eventually though I felt the need to do my own thing: Practice in a way that feels good to me, hone in on a niche, and structure my work life around my natural flow.

I feel grateful that I was able to bring all that experience together to create a biz/niche that I am passionate about and work in a way that nourishes me as well.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?

I have always been compassionate and intuitive as a person and provider. It is easy for me to connect with people and know what they need. I enjoy listening and being fully present with my clients. Teaching, being creative, and public speaking have always come natural to me.

What I had to learn/and am still learning is to embrace the nitty gritty side of owning a biz and the marketing aspect. I delayed going more public with my private practice for years because I never loved self-promotion and I dreaded the marketing aspect.

This changed when I decided to focus on intuitive eating/body image/self-care. Now I see marketing and social media as a platform to get important messages out to those who need/want to hear them. It is less about promotion and more about helping and healing.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?

Follow your passion, trust your intuition, and believe in yourself.

Find meaning in what you do.

Practice good self-care (aka: Nourish yourself:)

PS: A note on insecurities and comparisons: ditch both. The nutrition field is so vast and fast paced, it is impossible to know everything and everything has already been done.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be?

Spa treatments, massages, essential oils etc., and chocolate/cheese of course:)