Meet Bre Bock

We were lucky to catch up with Bre Bock recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bre, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is not something we’re born with—it’s built over time, cultivated through experiences that challenge, teach, and sometimes break us down before helping us rebuild. It’s a choice to get back up and face another day, even when things feel impossible. Resilience is something that grows stronger with each obstacle we face, especially when we choose not to give up. I’ve learned that consistent decisions, made day after day, have had the largest contribution to my ability to withstand hardship.

For me, one of the strongest roots of resilience lies in being goal-oriented and, if I’m honest, pretty stubborn. I was raised in a single-income household where finances were tight. Sometimes it felt like survival was the daily goal. But that environment fostered in me a drive to do more than just get by. From an early age, I was told I could be anything I wanted to be. My mom, in particular, was my biggest cheerleader. I was encouraged to set my sights high and aim for success—not just for the sake of achievement, but to create a life of purpose. This encouragement led me to focus on education as a means to create opportunities.

As a result, I worked hard to succeed in school, I earned dual bachelors degrees in exercise science and nutrition as well as a masters degree in nutrition. This educational journey laid the foundation for my career as a registered dietitian, which has now spanned north of a decade. I gained valuable experiences as both an inpatient and outpatient dietitian. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have a wide range of opportunities, including building an outpatient GI nutrition program. These experiences have deepened my expertise and reinforced my passion for helping people improve their health through nutrition. Each of these milestones was part of a journey that, at times felt impossible. But I had one important thing going for me: I was never told I couldn’t do it. In fact, I was often reminded that the only limits were the ones I set for myself. That belief, instilled by my mom, has been the cornerstone of my resilience.

When I entered my college experience, this resilience was tested with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. At the onset of training as a dietitian, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. These auto-immune diseases, have since become my “frenemies”—challenging me physically and mentally, but also teaching valuable intrinsic lessons. I often say these illnesses have played a part in shaping who I am and certainly have helped me develop resilience. They’ve also fostered a depth of empathy for others facing chronic conditions. I know what it’s like to fight through fatigue, pain, and frustration, and that has made me a more understanding and compassionate healthcare provider.

But let me be clear—having chronic illness hasn’t been easy, and I have to make the choice to see it as a blessing. There were many days when simply getting out of bed was a challenge, let alone showing up for my patients. Yet, despite these struggles, my drive remained strong. For me, it wasn’t an option to let my health issues prevent me from pursuing my goals. There have been times when I was depleted, exhausted, and running on empty. But in those moments I remain committed to the work I love. I show up because I care deeply about the people I serve, and because I understand what it means to fight for your health, well-being, and for the goals you set for yourself. As I navigate my own health challenges, my passion for nutrition through the lens of gut health continues to grow. The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis created further motivation to my pursuit of life-long learning. This same motivation drives the way I approach patient care.

Ultimately, I believe resilience isn’t born in one single moment; it’s shaped by thousands of moments—each decision to push through, persist, to not quit. In my case, my resilience has been forged by my goal-oriented mindset, my inner stubbornness, and the belief that I can exceed my own expectations. And when my own belief wavers (because we all have these moments), I am lucky to have family and friends who remind me just how strong I am. I also realize that resilience isn’t just about perseverance—it’s about balance. I often need to remind myself that setbacks are a part of the journey, not a sign of failure. Each challenge has been an opportunity to grow, reassess, and learn more about myself and the world around me.

While having resilience is immensely helpful, I also recognize my limitations and try to practice grace. I’m fortunate to work with a gifted therapist who helps me process and manage the challenges I face. I also prioritize self-care through meditation, journaling, and exercise, which help me recharge and stay centered. Self-care is definitely a work in progress for me, and it’s something I’m continually striving to make a bigger priority. For me, resilience is not just a trait. It’s a mindset—a choice to keep going, no matter what life throws my way. It’s a commitment to growth, to learning, and to always moving forward.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Recently, I took the leap into entrepreneurship by launching my private practice, Revived Nutrition Counseling. This move has given me the flexibility to be more present in my personal life while still pursuing work that is rewarding. It’s been a significant step for me in establishing healthier boundaries as a practitioner. Prior to starting my practice, I had reached complete burnout. This experience helped me realize I needed to step back and reassess how I was managing my workload. Transitioning to running my own business certainly comes with its own set of challenges, but it has also given me more control over my schedule and, ultimately, my well-being.

In my daily work, I support individuals struggling with gut issues and the overwhelming complexities of their conditions. My approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of their symptoms. Whether they’re looking for relief from chronic symptoms or seeking a deeper understanding of their bodies, I help guide them through that process. Additionally, I help clients reconnect with food in a positive and mindful way, empowering them to develop a balanced relationship with food that supports both their physical health and emotional well-being. This is especially helpful for those who have been lifelong dieters and are ready to heal their relationship with food. The work I do is incredibly rewarding, as I get to witness my clients’ progress firsthand. For many, their condition has a major impact on their quality of life, and together, we get to watch that quality improve as they make positive changes in their lifestyle and nutrition habits.

As I start the new year, I am focused on continuing to help individuals reclaim their health and well-being through a holistic and functional approach. One upcoming event I’m looking forward to is a webinar on heart health, which I’ll be hosting in partnership with a functional medicine doctor, in honor of Heart Health Month. This event is part of my broader commitment to overall wellness, where I explore various aspects of health beyond my areas of specialty (gut health and intuitive eating). During this webinar, I’ll review the connections between nutrition, mindfulness, and heart health, offering valuable insights on how these elements work together to promote wellness and a balanced lifestyle.

Looking ahead, one of my top priorities for this year is launching a blog that will offer practical content on everything from gut health to mindful eating. My aim is to create a go-to resource where people can find helpful tips, relatable advice, and actionable steps as it relates to their health. Alongside this, I’ll be continuing to host educational webinars that explore a variety of health topics. I’m also working on launching new services, including group workshops and online resources, designed to make my support more accessible and impactful for a wider audience.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Resilience has been at the core of everything. It’s not just about bouncing back, but about staying committed despite challenges. From health struggles to professional setbacks, resilience has meant showing up, even when I didn’t feel like it. For anyone struggling with resilience or facing their own challenges, my advice is this: focus on the next hard thing. Looking at the big picture can be overwhelming. While it’s important to have long-term goals, when you’re in the thick of a struggle, it’s often more helpful to focus on the next step, the next day, or the next small thing you can do.

Empathy has been vital, particularly in my role as a dietitian working with individuals facing chronic conditions. Understanding the emotional and physical toll of illness has allowed me to connect deeply with my patients. To cultivate empathy, I encourage those starting out to always listen first—really listen to people’s stories. Listen to understand, not to respond. Whether you’re a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or just supporting someone in your personal life, empathy is key to building trust and offering meaningful support.

Finally, my commitment to lifelong learning has been indispensable. Whether it’s through formal education or personal experience, my journey with autoimmune diseases, gut health, and nutrition has taught me that there’s always more to learn. The field of nutrition and health is constantly evolving, and I’ve found that embracing this dynamic aspect of my career has kept me passionate, engaged, and excited to keep learning. For those early in their journey, my advice is to stay curious and be open to new information. Seek out mentors, ask questions, and recognize that growth comes from being willing to keep learning and adapting.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who is ready to take an active role in their health journey. They’re open to an approach where we focus not just on symptoms but on uncovering the root causes of their health challenges. Whether it’s gut issues, relationship with food, or overall wellness, I work best with clients who are committed to making lasting changes and are not looking for a quick fix. They are open to exploring new strategies, including nutrition, mindfulness, and lifestyle adjustments. They also value a compassionate and personalized approach, and are willing to invest the time and effort needed to improve their quality of life in a sustainable way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reviveyournutrition.com
• Instagram: @revivednutritionrd
• Linkedin: Breanna Bock
• Other: Depending on when this article goes live this information may or may not be useful, but I’ll place the registration link for the upcoming webinar I mentioned in case any reader may be interested in joining (it’s free!)

  https://functionalhealthprofessionals.com/2-18-25-heart-health-webinar-registration

Image Credits

Daniel Bird