My Journey to Becoming a GI Nutrition Expert

As a registered dietitian and CEO of Grounded Root Nutrition, my path to becoming a GI-focused nutrition expert has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences, challenges, and personal health struggles. In this post, I’ll share my journey with you, from my childhood to my current role as a nutrition specialist. My hope is that by sharing my story, you’ll see how my experiences have shaped my approach to nutrition and health, and how I can relate to the challenges you might be facing.

A Childhood on the Move

My early years were characterized by frequent relocations:

• Born in Pickerington, Ohio
• Moved to Crofton, Maryland at age 3
• Returned to Pickerington, Ohio at age 5
• Relocated to San Antonio, Texas at age 11
• Moved to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania at age 14 in middle of freshman year of high school
• Returned to Westerville, Ohio at age 17 for senior year of high school

Moving around as a child is never easy, and each move brought different stressors depending on where I was in school. I learned about adaptability and resilience from a young age, and was incredibly thankful to be in the band and marching band to help make new friends. San Antonio holds a special place in my heart, and I hope my children can experience its charm someday. The move to Mechanicsburg during Christmas break was particularly memorable, as the snow kept us out of school for a month in a new city where we knew no one.

The decision to move for my senior year of high school, rather than have my dad commute, led to an unexpected blessing - meeting my husband of 23 years. We’re high school sweethearts, following in the footsteps of both our parents.

Early Health Challenges

From a young age, I faced several health issues that would later influence my career path:

• Ear infections and ear tubes in toddler years
• Diagnosed with asthma at age 5 (allergy, exercise, and illness-induced)
• Recurrent strep throat infections
• Underwent allergy shots for many years
• Developed constipation and belly pain around age 12
• At 14, appendectomy and a removal of right ovarian cyst

Despite these interventions, the abdominal pain continued on and off over the years. The standard advice was always the same: drink water, take fiber. It’ll be fine. Little did I know then how these experiences would shape my future career.

From Vet Tech to Insurance Consultant

My career journey took several unexpected turns:

1. Pursuing my passion for animals, my first undergrad degree was as a large and small animal vet tech.
2. During college, the abdominal pain continued and I was diagnosed with IBS.
3. Realizing a vet tech career was challenging due to animal allergies.
4. Transitioned to hospital administration at Banfield in hopes that would bring me the relief needed.
5. After 10 months, severe illness forced me to leave the animal field. Animals remain a passion, but are no longer my career.
6. Joined Nationwide Insurance, eventually becoming a process management consultant. I love making things efficient!

During my time at Nationwide, I welcomed two daughters and pursued an MBA. This period also marked the beginning of my journey into nutrition, as our oldest daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 4.

The Baking Detour

My daughter’s celiac diagnosis led me to explore gluten-free cooking and baking. I created my own recipes for baked donuts, cinnamon coffee cake, bread, and pizza. This passion eventually led me to open Soodles Bake Shop in 2010, a top-eight allergy-friendly bakery in Columbus.

Some highlights of my bakery journey include:

• Started in a shared gluten-free facility before moving to my own space
• Perfected my pizza crust recipe during Hurricane Sandy while visiting my best friend in New York City
• Supplied pizza crusts to local restaurants around Columbus, OH
• Involved my daughters and special needs brother in the business

In 2016, I made the difficult decision to sell the bakery to focus on family commitments and my daughter’s competitive gymnastics career.

The Path to Becoming a Registered Dietician

After selling the bakery, I took time for career exploration and personal growth. It became clear in 2017 that I needed to return to school to pursue my ultimate dream, nearly 6 years in the making at this point, to become a Registered Dietitian.

• Fractured my humerus with a slip on black ice while completing prerequisites
• Attended Eastern Michigan University’s distance learning program
• Fell walking the dogs day before my first preceptorship and fractured my wrist, which required surgery
• Coordinated all of my own preceptorships to fulfill 1200 supervised hours, and fell in love with private practice work
• Diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and osteopenia during this period
• Discovered nutrigenomics, which helped reduce my joint pain by 80%

My husband’s Celiac Disease diagnosis at age 42 further fueled my passion for GI health.

Founding Grounded Root Nutrition

In 2022, I started my nutrition business, initially called “One Fork at a Time.” The vision evolved, leading to a rebranding in 2024 as Grounded Root Nutrition. My focus is on GI health, often with an autoimmune component, including Celiac Disease, IBS, SIBO, and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.

To enhance my expertise, I have completed additional training to become:

• Certified Gastrointestinal Nutritionist (CGN)
• Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner (IFNCP)
• Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT)
• Monash Low FODMAP for IBS Training
• Advanced Nutrigenomics Training

A Holistic Approach to Health and Practice

My personal health journey has profoundly influenced my approach to nutrition and wellness:

• Recognizing the impact of past traumas on physical health
• Incorporating calming practices and setting boundaries
• Adopting a “less is more” philosophy in supplementation
• Balancing work (Tuesday through Friday) with family time and self-care

As a highly sensitive individual who easily absorbs toxins and stress, I’ve learned the importance of stress management and self-care. This experience informs my practice, allowing me to better understand and support my clients.

Conclusion

My journey from a traveling childhood to becoming a GI-focused nutrition expert has been filled with challenges, discoveries, and personal growth. Through my own health struggles and those of my family, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the complex relationship between nutrition, lifestyle, and overall well-being.

As your partner in health, I bring not only professional expertise but also personal experience and empathy to our work together. Whether you’re dealing with GI issues, autoimmune conditions, or seeking to optimize your overall health, I’m here to support and empower you on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself.

If you’re ready to take control of your health and work with someone who truly understands the challenges you’re facing, I invite you to reach out and begin your journey with Grounded Root Nutrition.