We’ve got about 8 weeks until Christmas, which means losing 8 lbs or about one pound per week is totally realistic!
In this episode, fat loss dietitians Dani and Sam share exactly what they’d focus on if they wanted to lose 8 pounds by Christmas without cutting out pumpkin Reese's and Christmas cookies.
If your goal is to enjoy the holidays, feel good in your body, and still make progress, this episode gives you a simple roadmap to do it (if you're already doing these and they're not working for you, I hope you'll reach out!)
Mentioned in this episode: Episode 81 - Keys to Weight Maintenance
https://podcast.pivotnutritioncoaching.com/81
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
After a traumatic first birth with Chloé, I spent my entire second pregnancy hoping for a VBAC, but also being terrified of it. At 39 weeks and 3 days, I scheduled a backup C-section “just in case,” but prayed that baby Rémi would come early on his own.
In this episode, I walk you through the full story from the first contraction at 2:30 a.m. to delivering our big 9-pound boy at 12:15 p.m. the same day.
You’ll hear:
✨ Why I wanted a VBAC (and how fear played into my decision)
✨ What those early contractions at home were like
✨ Me begging for an epidural upon admission
✨ How quickly things progressed once I got to the hospital
✨ The intense final moments - CODE PINK!!!
✨ A painful postpartum recovery (ice diapers, hemorrhoids, and all)
This episode is real, emotional, and a little wild (equal parts funny and TMI). So if you’re not up for talk about hemorrhoids and vaginas, maybe skip this one 😉
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder and CEO - Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Guest: Brianne (Bri) O'Neil
Fellow Toddler Mom and Firefighter wife
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age — but it’s so much more than just a fertility issue. In this episode, we’re breaking down the root drivers of PCOS, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances, and how they impact weight, mood, energy, and long-term health.
My colleague Sam joins the show to walk through the five key areas every woman with PCOS should focus on:
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by being told to “just lose weight” or handed birth control as a Band-Aid solution, this conversation is for you. You’ll leave with clear, practical strategies you can start using right away to feel better, improve your symptoms, and support long-term health.
🎧 Tune in and share this episode with a friend who has PCOS — because you don’t have to manage it alone!
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
Jessica’s story is proof that while calories (always) count, mindset plays a huge role in weight loss.
When she came to me, Jess was lifting 5–6 days a week, tracking her macros, and still couldn’t lose weight. She felt stuck in an all-or-nothing cycle...drop a few pounds, gain it right back, and repeat. She avoided photos, felt disconnected from her body, and was tired of starting over every Monday.
Together, we flipped the script. Instead of more restriction, we built a mindset-first, habit-based approach that worked with her real life (and yes, included her favorite foods). Within weeks, she felt more in control around food and free from guilt.
Fast forward 9 months—Jess has lost over 50 pounds, eats with her family without stress, and feels confident again. She’s taking photos she used to avoid and is proud of the example she’s setting for her daughter. Most importantly, she no longer wonders what to do. She knows how to fuel herself for life.
Tune in to hear how shifting her mindset transformed everything and how it can for you too.
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Most people can lose weight — but 80–90% regain it within 1–5 years. Why? Because losing it and keeping it off are two completely different skill sets.
In this episode, Dani and Sam break down research from the National Weight Control Registry (10,000+ successful maintainers) and share the 7 key habits that separate regain from long-term success. From daily movement and consistent eating to strength training, sleep, and stress management—you’ll learn exactly what it takes to stay in the successful 10–20% who keep the weight off for good.
If you are struggling to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF, this is a must listen!
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
Sometimes the truth stings… but it’s exactly what you need to hear to finally get results. In this episode, Sam and I are serving up some tough love on the most common excuses, unsustainable diets, and mindset traps holding you back — and sharing the realistic strategies that actually work. Nothing changes if nothing changes, and if you need help, we’re here with no judgments and a little tough love along the way.
In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story about helping my 62-year-old dad make changes after his recent labs showed an A1C of 6.4—officially in the prediabetic range.
After decades of walking 30,000 steps a day as a mailman, retirement has slowed him down a bit. And while he’s still active (hello, 18 holes of golf five days a week!), his diet needed a major upgrade. So we sat down and came up with 6 realistic, sustainable strategies to start lowering his blood sugar—no crash diets or gimmicks.
Whether you're helping a parent, partner, or just looking to improve your own numbers, this episode is packed with real-life, no-BS tips you can actually use:
This is just the beginning, and I’ll share updates as we go. Tune in for practical tips and real-world application!
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Thinking about coming off hormonal birth control? Or maybe you already have and you’re wondering why your energy, skin, or cycle feel a little off? In this episode, I’m joined by my colleague and fellow dietitian, Hannah, to break down 5 key areas to focus on when transitioning off birth control so you can feel your best and support your body through this big shift.
We’ll start by explaining how hormonal birth control works (and why the “period” you get on the pill isn’t actually a real period) and some common reasons women are prescribed it. Then we’ll dive into practical, doable steps to help your body rebalance naturally.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
We’ll also touch on realistic timelines for this transition, especially if you’re hoping to get pregnant in the next year, and why patience (and tracking your symptoms) is key.
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Hannah Davis, RD
GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy can be game-changers for weight loss — but they’re not magic. In this episode, we break down 5 lifestyle changes that actually help you keep the weight off long term.
We cover:
If you’re on a GLP-1 or considering it, this is a must-listen!
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
In this special episode celebrating Pivot’s 4th anniversary, we’re getting personal: our dietitian team is sharing the nutrition, fitness, and mindset advice we wish we had in our 20s! We cover period health, why you don’t have to fear carbs, learning to love (and respect) your body, the truth about “healthy” foods, and why real nourishment comes from consistency — not control. Whether you’re 20 or 50, these lessons apply to every chapter of your health journey.
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
Feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? This episode is your roadmap.
We’re cutting through the noise and breaking down the real first steps to improving your health and sustainable fat loss—no crash diets, no extremes. You’ll learn how to build awareness around your habits, create simple balanced meals, move with purpose, and ditch the all-or-nothing mindset. This isn’t sexy, but it works. If you’re ready to start your health journey and finally feel in control, press play.
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
A few weeks ago, someone asked me: "Dani, what's the worst weight loss advice you've ever heard?". All I could think of was "this needs to be a podcast episode"...So here we are!
In this episode, we're diving into some not-so-great weight loss advice as well as top weight loss myths that we want to debunk! This one is a lot of fun and packed full of the random tips you see on social media or always thought were true. We also review some popular diets, sharing pros, cons and more!
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
In this episode, we're diving into the sperm theory (aka the Shettles Method) — can timing sex really influence your baby's gender? I’m sharing our gender reveal, how my friend Bri survived keeping the secret for six whole days, and her hilarious reaction caught on audio. Plus, I explain how the sperm theory lined up with both of my pregnancies — no planning, just wild timing. This one’s a fun mix of "science", surprises, and real mom moments!
Here is another fun episode with Bri we recorded
Here is the episode with the fertility dietitian Ana
Connect with us:
→ Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Guests: Bri O'Neil
In this episode, I'm joined by Molly King, one of our inspiring clients who shares her powerful postpartum journey from navigating the ups and downs of early motherhood to healing her relationship with food, embracing weight loss with compassion, and nourishing her baby through breastfeeding. We also discuss both of our current pregnanies and my upcoming gender reveal prediction!
We dive deep into:
*The truth behind postpartum body expectations
This conversation is for every mama who’s ever felt stuck, confused, or disconnected from her body. It’s a reminder that your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s — and that healing is absolutely possible with the right support.
Connect with us:
→ Want support like this? Learn more about our coaching programs at the website pivotnutritioncoaching.com
→ Leave a review and share this episode with a mama who needs to hear it!
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Guests: Molly King, DPT, ATC
Pivot Nutrition Coaching Graduate, Class of 2024
This episode gives you sneak peak inside our Pivot Alumni Community. I’m joined by two experts in women's health, Ivy Emery and Andrea Zimmerman, both nurse practitioners and menopause specialists, as we dive into the hormonal changes that come with perimenopause and menopause. We’ll simplify the science behind these shifts and break down how depleting hormones can affect everything from energy levels to mood—and what you can do to feel better.
Ivy and Andrea also offer an overview of various hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options, addressing common misconceptions and fears many women have about treatment.
Plus, we emphasize the importance of foundational habits that support your health during this phase—like heavy strength training and adequate protein —because taking care of your body now can make all the difference in your future well-being.
This episode is packed with insights and practical advice to empower you as you navigate perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Tune in for expert answers, real talk, and tips to feel your best during this transformative time!
_"I wish I would have heard this information 30 years ago!" _- 72-year old Pivot Nutrition Coaching Graduate
Book: https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-menopause-book
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Guests:
Ivy Emery and Andrea Zimmerman: Women's Health Nurse Practitioners and Co-Owners of Harmoni Wellness
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In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Oravitz, founder of The Wholesome Lotus. After struggling with years of irregular periods and stress due to a demanding career as a NYC architect, Michelle turned to acupuncture and experienced a transformative shift in her well-being. Inspired by this, she became a renowned acupuncturist and fertility coach, helping women finally get pregnant after trying just about everything.
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Resources Mentioned:
Power of subconscious mind - Joseph Murphy
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Guest:
Michelle Oravitz
If dietitian coaches kept diaries, what do you think they would write about? In this week's episode, my colleague Sam and I share our thoughts on questions and conversations we encounter on a weekly basis as dietitian coaches. This episode is a fun one; I'll even share the craziest thing someone's ever said to me!
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
Hunter Pinke, a former Division I college athlete, sustained a full spinal cord injury in 2019, resulting in paralysis from the chest down. Although this life-altering event could have led to a negative path, Hunter shifted his perspective and decided to channel his journey into motivating those around him to embrace a mindset of having no bad days.
In this episode:
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Guests: Hunter Pinke
Connect with Hunter on Instagram or by visiting his Website at https://www.hunterpinke.com
This episode was brought to you by Cozy Earth. Sleep matters for every part of your life! Get your sheets now for 40% off with code PIVOT at checkout. cozyearth.com
Your childhood truly does shape your future, especiallly when it comes to nutrition. In today's episode, Pivot client Lindsay Archer shares her dieting history which dates all the way back to her youth and what it finally took to break generational dieting and rewrite these narratives. While Lindsay's success story includes fat loss, the non-scale victories outshine the number on the scale. Tune in for a real, inspiring story that all starts with a mindset shift.
In this episode:
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Guests: Lindsay Archer
Pivot Nutrition Coaching Client
This episode was brought to you by Cozy Earth. Sleep matters for every part of your life! Get your sheets now for 40% off with code PIVOT at checkout. cozyearth.com
In today’s conversation with Nurse Practitioners Ivy Emery and Andrea Zimmerman, we'll explore what GLP-1s are, how they work in the body, as well as the benefits and risks associated with them. This episode is packed with valuable insights on how to navigate these trendy weight loss drugs in a way that supports your overall health.
In this episode:
Book: https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-menopause-book
Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Owner & Lead Dietitian of Pivot Nutrition Coaching
Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com
Guests:
Ivy Emery and Andrea Zimmerman: Women's Health Nurse Practitioners and Co-Owners of Harmoni Wellness
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This episode was brought to you by Cozy Earth. Sleep matters for every part of your life! Get your sheets now for 40% off with code PIVOT at checkout. cozyearth.com