We had the good fortune of connecting with Destini Moody and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Destini, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My balance has totally flipped from the start of my journey. Being first generation college student, my parents did not have the money to send me to college. So, I started a payment plan with the bursar of my local university, ensured all of my required classes were as early in the day as possible, and worked nights as a waitress…FOR 4 YEARS. After graduation, it was 12-14 hour days as an intern in the Berkeley athletics department, grinding to earn a salary position. I lost best friends, much leisure time, and even 2 long-term boyfriends during this period. So, now that I have a private practice that allows me to make my own hours, take days off at home with my dog, and be able to do things like have boozy brunches with friends at 1pm on a Tuesday is the work-life balance I’ve wanted for a long time. It is tough, though, as someone who has been working and grinding nonstop for so many years, I am STILL getting adjusted to the feeling of guilt when I give myself so much leisure time. But it’s those conversations we have to have with ourselves to be assured that this balance is OKAY and deserved.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own a private practice called The Athlete’s Dietitian in which I meet with athletes all over the country to provide nutrition services via telehealth. My experience in the MLB and NBA went a long way and helping me to establish myself as a leader in sports nutrition which made getting my start with my own practice much easier than what most dietitians go through who turn entreprenuerial. Only 2% of dietitians working today are people of color, so I pride myself on being a black RD who strives to provide ntutrition services with cultural and ethnic sensitivity since these things are inextricable from our diets. I want the world to know not to be defeated by adversity be it financial or professional. I was rejected from my grad school program before I finally was accepted and able to take my RD exam. After years of paying my way through college, this almost made me give up on my career, but now it’s in a place that I could never have dreamed of.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely go down Melrose for some eclectic shops and the famous Playground LA dance studio. We’d also go to some of the best-kept secret spots only locals know about like Elysian Park that gives a breathtaking view of the city. Then hit a brunch spot like Joan on 3rd where you have a 6 out of 10 chance of spotting a celebrity like Jeremy Allen White or Shiloh Jolie (two people I’ve actually seen there while enjoying my blueberry pancakes!)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to thank UC Berkeley for giving me the start in my career that catapulted me into the world of sports nutrition in a way that legitimately changed my life. I also have to thank Elizabeth McNear who is now a dietitian with the Oakland A’s. Not only was she my boss at Berkeley, but after sharing an office with her for 3 years, she became one of my closest friends I still talk with regularly to this day. She taught me the value of saying no to people, even if we are eager to help, for the sake of preserving our bandwidth in the demanding field of sports. I cannot express in words how valuable her wisdom has been to me.

Website: https://www.theathletesdietitian.com

Instagram: @missdestinirenee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destini-moody-rdn-cssd-ld-2188467a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAthletesRD

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