Dietitian Spotlight on Julie Beyer, Interstitial Cystitis Guru, Author, Speaker
Meet Julie Beyer, MA, RDN, also known as the Godmother for helping people learn how to self-publish. She’s a guru and mentor in the interstitial cystitis community. She has authored 4 books. And she’s a huge supporter of dietitians nationwide enhancing their careers and raising us up. I’m delighted to be sharing her career path where every time we talk, I leave with a huge grin from ear to ear and feel empowered. - Sarah
What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
I have always been fascinated with the human body and how it works. When I was a child, I actually enjoyed studying food labels, doing the math for percentage of nutrients, and reading the health articles in my family’s magazines. When I was a freshman in college, I struggled knowing what to major in. I was in an honor’s science and math program and met a registered dietitian who shared her professional journals with me. I remember getting so excited as I realized I could get a degree in something like nutrition and that the path I was already on was perfect for applying to the coordinated dietetic program at Michigan State University. Fun fact, I not only was accepted, but I got married during that time and graduated with my eight-month old daughter sitting in my lap.
Your Job Title?
I have several titles. I am a speaker, author, and patient advocate. I am the owner of NutraConsults, LLC, the nutrition education company that encompasses all of my different “jobs.” I am also known as the IC Dietitian for my work in the interstitial cystitis community.
Company you are with now?
NutraConsults, LLC
Websites:
Social Media:
Interstitial Cystitis Diet Blog: http://interstitial-cystitis-diet.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @ICDietitian
Facebook Pages:
Confident Choices® IC Diet: https://www.facebook.com/JulieBeyer.InterstitialCystitisDiet
You CAN Write a Book: https://www.facebook.com/You.CAN.Write.a.Book
Books:
Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet: A Confident Choices® Book
Confident Choices®: A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder
Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators
You CAN Write a Book! The No-Nonsense Guide to Self-Publishing
Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
These days I do very little “work” to maintain my business. For the IC part of my work, I am a member of a dozen or more interstitial cystitis social media pages and most people recognize my expertise. I answer questions, post recipes, and even do my own research to understand what the most common questions are for both new and veteran IC patients. I also use my blog posts as static articles for frequently asked questions. For example, I have an article about Urine pH vs Body pH that I can link to when people ask about avoiding all acidic foods. (Hint: it isn’t necessary!). As a bonus, when people click on these links, they will be exposed to the three different books I have written about interstitial cystitis and diet and many of those links lead to sales. I also gain the trust of patients and many will become phone or video coaching clients.
As for the self-publishing arm of my business, I have written a book called You CAN Write a Book: The No-Nonsense Guide to Self-Publishing, and I also do book formatting and editing for many dietitians. I like to think I am the godmother for many dozens of dietitians’ books!
How did you get your current job in dietetics?
Well, you get smart about things you never intended to be smart about. In 1998, I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and as I learned to help myself, I began to help others. As for the self-publishing part of my business, when I began to write my books, I realized that although my niche was big enough to support a few books, it was not big enough for traditional publishers to take on. By default, I learned to self-publish and then began to teach it in seminars. I eventually wrote a book about writing books.
What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I would say I had a natural inclination for both science and writing. Even today, my master’s degree is in Health and Risk Communications and I was literally trained in how to provide communication during a pandemic. At the very least, the advanced epidemiology classes have served me well this last year and a half.
What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
So many of us have been taught to make 5 and 10 year plans, but I believe to be successful, you also need to pay attention to detours that come your way. If you become so married to your 5 and 10 year plans, you can miss out on amazing opportunities!
If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what
would it be?
I am so grateful for the intangible rewards of my business. I get to do what I love. I help people feel better. And I have encouraged people to reach their dreams of becoming an author. In addition, I have been able to meet incredible people, both in the IC community and dietetic community. Finally, I feel like, in a small way, I have helped amplify the voices of dietitians and our profession.
