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For the next few months, Natalie will be interning at Leah Kern Nutrition to gain experience in the private practice world and to learn more about being an Intuitive Eating Dietitian. 

During her time at LKN, Natalie will be guest writing some blogposts and helping with other behind the scenes tasks.

We’re so excited to have you, Natalie!

Without further ado, meet Natalie.

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

My name is Natalie Kolleeny, I’m from New York, New York, and I’m currently a junior-year dietetics student at the University of Vermont!

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

One of my favorite pastimes as a kid – aside from Spongebob, of course – was watching documentaries about rare medical conditions and medical reality shows. I knew I loved learning about medicine and the human body in general, but as I grew older, I wasn’t sure how I wanted to apply these interests professionally. Should I become a doctor? A pharmacist? Perhaps a physical therapist? The options seemed endless, but luckily, I found some clarity during my first year at UVM.

Like many nutrition students here, my story starts with the incredible Dr. Lizzy Pope and her introductory nutrition class. During the class, I quickly realized how naturally dietetics aligns with my two favorite hobbies, food and fitness. But more importantly, I realized that I could blend together these hobbies, my love for science, and my own adverse experiences with food — and then use them to make a positive impact on people’s lives. From then on, I was hooked, and I’m so excited to delve even deeper into the world of dietetics with Leah this semester!

How did you get interested in intuitive eating and HAES?

Like too many of us, my first introduction to nutrition was incredibly misguided. All of my actions and much of the content I consumed were geared towards one goal: to change my body’s appearance. Unsurprisingly, this did not end well for me, and for years, I suffered from debilitating patterns of disordered eating. Food dictated my every thought and action, and I wanted nothing more than to escape it… I do wonder what past Natalie would say if she found out the career I chose. 

My reprieve finally came when I stumbled across a dietitian on YouTube who champions intuitive eating. Learning about things like honoring my hunger and fullness, respecting my physical body, and rejecting diet culture completely turned my world on its head, and for the better. Though it was far from an immediate ‘fix’, opening myself up to eating intuitively allowed me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Slowly, I learned how to trust myself again, and slowly, eating once again became joyous instead of painful. My journey with intuitive eating and HAES is still ongoing, but I am extremely grateful for what they have brought into my life so far.

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

I’m always open to any new ideas that come my way, but what excites me most is working in one-on-one clinical counseling or as part of a treatment team at a hospital. My interest in hospital work is personal — growing up, I watched my dad cycle in and out of hospitals for years, and witnessing his constant fear and exhaustion left a lasting impression on me. If I can offer even one person the knowledge, support, and compassion he needed, it would be incredibly fulfilling.

This desire to support others holistically is also what draws me to nutrition. One thing I love about UVM is how our education goes beyond the science of nutrition to explore the social, psychological, and structural factors that shape our relationships with food. I hope to use this knowledge to truly understand and appreciate each person’s unique experience. Of course, I also want to promote intuitive eating and balance in my practice as much as possible. For many, food satisfies much more than just physical needs — it encompasses culture, creativity, memories, emotion, and more. My own journey with intuitive eating has helped me embrace all of these things while also honoring my health, and I would love to help others do the same.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

As I mentioned earlier, the best way to summarize my favorite hobbies would be food and fitness. I’m a huge foodie and it makes my heart sing to try new foods and cuisines, push myself out of my comfort zone by experimenting with cooking, and bake sweets for myself and the people I love. At this point, pictures of my plate probably make up half of my camera roll. 

Movement fills my bucket just as much as food does. Lifting weights would have to be my favorite, but I also enjoy running and the occasional walk or hike. One of the biggest reasons I love exercise is that I feel it keeps me grounded, almost like a form of therapy.

What are some things that make your heart happy?

I LOVE animals, and I’m planning to adopt a dog as soon as I’m able! I also love spending time with my friends and family. My family lives far away, so it’s always such a privilege to be able to see them. Luckily for me, my family is equally as food-obsessed as I am, so a visit home always means lots of warm, cozy meals and cooking or baking with my sister and nephew. 

I also enjoy writing, drawing, and painting, although I haven’t gotten to do much of it since coming to college. Like exercise, I find it super calming and I love experimenting with different media and techniques when I have the time.

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

My favorite part of the intuitive eating approach is that it encourages people to discover the true satisfaction food can bring. When I finally stepped away from the endless dieting rules being pushed on me, I was able to focus on what I actually needed rather than what some person online said I did. Only then did I find true joy in food — learning my preferences, habits, and emotions played a huge role in transforming that relationship.

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