In this Season 5 kickoff of Feed Me the Facts, we sit down with Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, founder of Maya Feller Nutrition, author of Eating from Our Roots, and frequent national media contributor. Maya shares her unique journey from avant-garde theater to nutrition science, her passion for culturally humble care, and her mission to make nutrition education accessible and approachable.
We dive deep into what it means to stay credible and authentic in the media space, how dietitians can leverage social platforms without burning out, and why continuous learning and evolving are critical for the future of dietetics.
Whether you’re a current or future dietitian, or someone passionate about inclusive health messaging, this episode is packed with insights on growth, media presence, and making a lasting impact.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Maya’s Unconventional Path to Dietetics (00:00) From avant-garde theater to NYU nutrition — and why she initially wanted to work for UNICEF.
Early Career Lessons & Community Work (06:00) How working with marginalized communities shaped her approach to care.
Building a Private Practice & Breaking into Media (08:00) The pivot from consulting to running her own practice and landing TV opportunities.
The Power of Social Media & Storytelling (11:00) Why Maya launched her YouTube series and how she balances evidence-based messaging with relatability.
Being a Forever Learner (20:00) How reading research, attending conferences, and collaborating across disciplines keep her credible and fresh.
What Influencers Are Doing Well — and What RDs Can Learn (22:00) The importance of storytelling, empathy, and connecting with your audience.
Evolving as a Profession (42:00) Why dietitians need to unpack bias, take stronger stances, and meet the needs of today’s diverse populations.
Measuring Success in Media & Business (32:00) Redefining success beyond followers — doing the work you love, being compensated fairly, and serving your community.
Turning Expertise into Income (35:00) Practical advice on writing, content creation, brand partnerships, and staying authentic.
What’s Next for Maya (52:00) Her passion for food science, biodiversity, and connecting with real people through street interviews.
Resources & Links:
Connect with Maya:
Maya Feller Nutrition – Learn more about Maya and her team’s work: www.mayaellernutrition.com
Follow Maya on Instagram & YouTube: @mayafellerrd
Maya’s Books:
Eating from Our Roots
Southern Comfort Diabetes Cookbook
Watch Maya’s “Ask a Dietitian” YouTube Series: Maya Feller Nutrition on YouTube
️ Stay connected with Feed Me The Facts:
Website: www.diversifydietetics.org
Instagram & Facebook: @DiversifyDietetics
Send in your thoughts/questions: fmtf@diversifydietetics.org
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Squeeze, Diversify Dietetics’ monthly newsletter for the latest updates in nutrition and dietetics.
Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
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In this Season 5 kickoff of Feed Me the Facts, we sit down with Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, founder of Maya Feller Nutrition, author of Eating from Our Roots, and frequent national media contributor. Maya shares her unique journey from avant-garde theater to nutrition science, her passion for culturally humble care, and her mission to make nutrition education accessible and approachable.
We dive deep into what it means to stay credible and authentic in the media space, how dietitians can leverage social platforms without burning out, and why continuous learning and evolving are critical for the future of dietetics.
Whether you’re a current or future dietitian, or someone passionate about inclusive health messaging, this episode is packed with insights on growth, media presence, and making a lasting impact.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Maya’s Unconventional Path to Dietetics (00:00) From avant-garde theater to NYU nutrition — and why she initially wanted to work for UNICEF.
Early Career Lessons & Community Work (06:00) How working with marginalized communities shaped her approach to care.
Building a Private Practice & Breaking into Media (08:00) The pivot from consulting to running her own practice and landing TV opportunities.
The Power of Social Media & Storytelling (11:00) Why Maya launched her YouTube series and how she balances evidence-based messaging with relatability.
Being a Forever Learner (20:00) How reading research, attending conferences, and collaborating across disciplines keep her credible and fresh.
What Influencers Are Doing Well — and What RDs Can Learn (22:00) The importance of storytelling, empathy, and connecting with your audience.
Evolving as a Profession (42:00) Why dietitians need to unpack bias, take stronger stances, and meet the needs of today’s diverse populations.
Measuring Success in Media & Business (32:00) Redefining success beyond followers — doing the work you love, being compensated fairly, and serving your community.
Turning Expertise into Income (35:00) Practical advice on writing, content creation, brand partnerships, and staying authentic.
What’s Next for Maya (52:00) Her passion for food science, biodiversity, and connecting with real people through street interviews.
Resources & Links:
Connect with Maya:
Maya Feller Nutrition – Learn more about Maya and her team’s work: www.mayaellernutrition.com
Follow Maya on Instagram & YouTube: @mayafellerrd
Maya’s Books:
Eating from Our Roots
Southern Comfort Diabetes Cookbook
Watch Maya’s “Ask a Dietitian” YouTube Series: Maya Feller Nutrition on YouTube
️ Stay connected with Feed Me The Facts:
Website: www.diversifydietetics.org
Instagram & Facebook: @DiversifyDietetics
Send in your thoughts/questions: fmtf@diversifydietetics.org
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Squeeze, Diversify Dietetics’ monthly newsletter for the latest updates in nutrition and dietetics.
Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Rewind: Do I Belong in This Field with Trinique Waters
Feed Me the Facts
14 hours 21 minutes 9 seconds
3 months ago
Rewind: Do I Belong in This Field with Trinique Waters
In this special episode from the DD archives, host Deanna sits down with Trinique Waters, RD, to reflect on navigating career doubt, finding belonging, and building confidence as a woman of color in dietetics. From struggling to find her first job post-internship to discovering her passion for maternal health and lactation consulting, Trinique shares a heartfelt journey that will resonate with any RD or RD-to-be questioning their place in the field. Whether you're early in your career or just feeling stuck, this episode is your reminder that your path doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. This episode was originally recorded in December 2018. Trinique has now been a dietitian for six years and works as Friends Hospital.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Trinique’s Introduction to Dietetics (00:00) How a high school hospital rotation sparked her interest in using food to support health.
Facing Doubt After Graduation (03:00) The emotional toll of struggling to find a job and questioning her place in the field.
The Impact of Representation & Belonging (04:30) What it felt like being the only Black woman in her program and comparing her path to others.
Underutilizing Support & the Power of Networking (06:00) How opening up and seeking community could have made the journey less isolating.
From Food Service to Clinical: Embracing Career Detours (08:00) Why her first job wasn’t ideal—and how it became a stepping stone to where she is now.
Rebuilding Confidence in Clinical Nutrition (10:00) How reconnecting with clinical skills helped her feel a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.
A New Passion: Lactation & Maternal Health (11:00) Her plans to support Black women through nutrition-focused lactation care.
Advice for RDs & RD2Bs Questioning Their Place (12:00) Why your passion—not your name, appearance, or background—is what makes you belong.
Resources & Links:
Connect with Trinique:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinique-rd/
️ Stay connected with Feed Me The Facts:
Website: www.diversifydietetics.org
Instagram & Facebook: @DiversifyDietetics
Send in your thoughts/questions: fmtf@diversifydietetics.org
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Squeeze, Diversify Dietetics’ monthly newsletter for the latest updates in nutrition and dietetics.
Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Feed Me the Facts
In this Season 5 kickoff of Feed Me the Facts, we sit down with Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, founder of Maya Feller Nutrition, author of Eating from Our Roots, and frequent national media contributor. Maya shares her unique journey from avant-garde theater to nutrition science, her passion for culturally humble care, and her mission to make nutrition education accessible and approachable.
We dive deep into what it means to stay credible and authentic in the media space, how dietitians can leverage social platforms without burning out, and why continuous learning and evolving are critical for the future of dietetics.
Whether you’re a current or future dietitian, or someone passionate about inclusive health messaging, this episode is packed with insights on growth, media presence, and making a lasting impact.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Maya’s Unconventional Path to Dietetics (00:00) From avant-garde theater to NYU nutrition — and why she initially wanted to work for UNICEF.
Early Career Lessons & Community Work (06:00) How working with marginalized communities shaped her approach to care.
Building a Private Practice & Breaking into Media (08:00) The pivot from consulting to running her own practice and landing TV opportunities.
The Power of Social Media & Storytelling (11:00) Why Maya launched her YouTube series and how she balances evidence-based messaging with relatability.
Being a Forever Learner (20:00) How reading research, attending conferences, and collaborating across disciplines keep her credible and fresh.
What Influencers Are Doing Well — and What RDs Can Learn (22:00) The importance of storytelling, empathy, and connecting with your audience.
Evolving as a Profession (42:00) Why dietitians need to unpack bias, take stronger stances, and meet the needs of today’s diverse populations.
Measuring Success in Media & Business (32:00) Redefining success beyond followers — doing the work you love, being compensated fairly, and serving your community.
Turning Expertise into Income (35:00) Practical advice on writing, content creation, brand partnerships, and staying authentic.
What’s Next for Maya (52:00) Her passion for food science, biodiversity, and connecting with real people through street interviews.
Resources & Links:
Connect with Maya:
Maya Feller Nutrition – Learn more about Maya and her team’s work: www.mayaellernutrition.com
Follow Maya on Instagram & YouTube: @mayafellerrd
Maya’s Books:
Eating from Our Roots
Southern Comfort Diabetes Cookbook
Watch Maya’s “Ask a Dietitian” YouTube Series: Maya Feller Nutrition on YouTube
️ Stay connected with Feed Me The Facts:
Website: www.diversifydietetics.org
Instagram & Facebook: @DiversifyDietetics
Send in your thoughts/questions: fmtf@diversifydietetics.org
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Squeeze, Diversify Dietetics’ monthly newsletter for the latest updates in nutrition and dietetics.
Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
