Name, where you’re from, and where you’re currently going to school

Hi! My name is Madi, and I am from Essex, Vermont. I am currently a senior nutrition major at the University of Vermont, graduating in May. I will continue my education in the fall at Simmons University in Boston to complete my master’s degree. 

What inspired you to want to pursue a career path as a dietitian?

What inspired me to pursue a career path as a dietician is my combined love for food and health. I always knew I wanted to pursue a healthcare-related profession; I never imagined it could blend with my other passions. When I first entered college, I was originally a biology major, I transferred to the pre-med route, and then I found that UVM offered a nutrition program, and I knew that was exactly what I had been looking for all along. I have always been fascinated by the science behind food, how it relates to the functions within our bodies, and its involvement in our psychological health. 

How did you get interested in intuitive eating and HAES?

Similar to past interns, I was introduced to the concepts of intuitive eating and HAES in the famous Lizzy Pope’s Fundamentals to Nutrition course I took during my Sophomore year at UVM. This approach to eating relies on our bodies’ cues to regulate our eating patterns, and although I had never heard about anything like this, I was instantly intrigued. I had no idea our bodies are so smart and know exactly what we need or want at any given moment to remain in a constant state of homeostasis. This trust in our bodies and our relationship with food can be a hard transition, because it goes against everything we were taught to believe growing up. But once you can gain that trust and find your balance, it can create a sustainable, long-lasting relationship with food.

What do you see yourself doing in your future career as an RD?

In my future career as an RD, I see myself working in nutrition therapy and counseling with a focus on eating disorder treatment. My own lived experience in this area, paired with working with my own RD, gives me a unique perspective and the ability to connect authentically with patients who may feel unheard or invalidated. Beyond clinical work, I also hope to be a part of the greater impact within the dietitian community. Eating disorders are not developed in isolation, but rather shaped by influences all around us, including media, family, culture, and societal pressure. Throughout my career, I hope to engage in education and advocacy that challenges the narratives surrounding food and body image. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I love to cook, run, hike, and travel. Growing up in Vermont, while most of my peers spent the winter months learning to ski and snowboard, I relied on hibernation. Well, that’s not exactly true. I did learn how to ski when I was around ten; however, I moved to Florida the next year, and by the time I moved back to Vermont completely forgotten. Since there are so many cold months in Vermont, outdoor activities can be pretty limited. But, when the weather permits, I love the outdoors and try to spend as many hours as I can in the sun. Whether that means swimming, biking, hiking, running, rock climbing, gardening, or just simply tanning, I am outside!

What are some things that make your heart happy?

Some things that make my heart happy are being around my family, friends, and traveling. Despite only living thirty minutes away from the majority of my family and friends, being a college student who also happens to work doesn’t always grant me the time to drive and see them, at least not as often as I’d like. Typically, my weekends are packed with family dinners, shopping with friends, going out to movies, or even just yapping for many hours. I am a huge social butterfly and love to be around the people I care about; that is what I look forward to the most. Outside of socialization, traveling has become something I have learned to love in recent years. Although my traveling expertise has not been very far, I hope to be fortunate enough throughout my life to see many parts of the world and explore different cultures. The furthest I have been from home so far has been Seattle, where I traveled to last year, but my dream vacation has to be Greece, hands down!

Your favorite part about the anti-diet/ intuitive eating approach to nutrition?

My favorite part about the anti-diet/intuitive eating approach to nutrition is the trust in your body. This approach relies on the individual’s ability to read the cues and signals your body sends to your brain to regulate your eating patterns. It is incredibly cool to think about how smart our bodies are at letting us know the exact instance when we are hungry, full, or satisfied with our meals. It builds this sense of confidence in ourselves that our body knows exactly what we need and want in order to maintain happiness and remain healthy.