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: Pursuing Multiple Passions with Alice Figueroa
Feed Me the Facts
41 minutes
2 months ago
Rewind: Pursuing Multiple Passions with Alice Figueroa
In this rewind episode of Feed Me the Facts, we revisit an inspiring conversation with Alice Figueroa—registered dietitian nutritionist, public health advocate, culinary expert, and founder of Alice in Foodie Land. Alice shares how her roots in Guatemala shaped her passion for health advocacy, her journey into nutrition and policy, and her experience as a James Beard Foundation National Scholar. She offers valuable advice on pursuing multiple passions, finding balance, and staying connected to the communities we serve.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
From Guatemala to Public Health Advocacy (00:00) How Alice’s upbringing and early experiences shaped her mission to address food insecurity and malnutrition.
Discovering Nutrition as a Career Path (06:00) The moment she connected public health and nutrition, leading her to pursue dietetics.
Integrating Multiple Passions (10:00) Strategies for blending research, policy, culinary arts, and wellness into a meaningful career.
Mentorship & Support Systems (14:00) The impact of family and mentors in navigating a nontraditional career path.
Culinary Training & the James Beard Foundation Scholarship (19:00) How Alice became a natural food chef and the importance of culturally relevant, affordable recipes.
Balancing Diverse Interests (25:00) Time management, self-care, and setting “non-negotiable” goals for personal growth.
Pursuing Passions with Limited Resources (31:00) Practical advice for finding opportunities, funding, and mentorship—plus the importance of taking risks.
The Power of Nutrition in Building Community (36:00) How small acts, like teaching cooking classes, can create connection and lasting change.
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
