Story & Lesson Highlights with Andrea Mathis

Andrea Mathis shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Andrea, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: When was the last time you felt true joy?
I would say yesterday while watching my son play a tough game of football and watching my husband coach him along the way.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Andrea Mathis, Andy for short! I’m a registered dietitian nutritionist, content creator, and owner of Beautiful Eats & Things, where I share delicious recipes, practical wellness tips, and body-positive inspiration. My brand blends my passion for nutrition and wellness, making it a unique mix of food, beauty, and self-love.

Alongside my blog, I run Beautifully Social, a social media and branding course where I teach dietitians, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs how to confidently show up online and build a brand they’re proud of. I also own an online shop filled with body-positive and self-love merch designed to spread joy and confidence.

My mission is to help people enjoy food without guilt, embrace self-care, and feel confident in their own skin. You can find my work in Food Network, EatingWell, and ESSENCE, or in the homes of customers proudly rocking my merch.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that really shaped how I see the world was early in my career as a dietitian, when I realized just how much diet culture and unrealistic beauty standards were affecting people’s relationship with food, and with themselves. I’d meet clients who felt like they had to shrink themselves to be worthy, and I knew I couldn’t just stand by and let that narrative continue.

As a plus-size, Black woman in the health and wellness space, I’ve experienced those pressures firsthand, so I decided to build a brand that celebrates all bodies, encourages self-love, and focuses on nourishing from the inside out. That shift changed everything for me, but not just in my work, but in how I carry myself in the world. I now see every piece of content, every recipe, and every speaking opportunity as a way to challenge those old narratives and create space for people to feel seen, respected, and celebrated exactly as they are.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “You don’t have to earn your worth because you already have it.” I’d remind her that her value isn’t tied to her size, how much she gets done in a day, or how perfectly she can check off a to-do list. I’d tell her to stop shrinking herself, literally and figuratively, and to take up space unapologetically. I’d encourage her to wear the bright colors she loves, laugh loudly, and know that the right people will always appreciate her exactly as she is!

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that health and wellness can be defined by a number on the scale, or a clothing size, or how much someone eats or exercises. Diet culture has deeply woven itself into the health space, convincing people that thin automatically means healthy and that larger bodies are inherently unhealthy, both of which are completely false and incredibly harmful.

Another lie is that everyone has the same access to fresh foods, safe places to exercise, and healthcare. The truth is, there are huge disparities based on race, income, and geography, and ignoring those realities just perpetuates inequality.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in my kitchen, cooking with no rush, no deadlines…just me, my favorite playlist, and the smell of something delicious filling the house. There’s something so grounding about chopping vegetables, stirring a pot, and tasting as I go. It reminds me of cooking with my mom and grandmothers when I was younger, where food wasn’t just about eating, but about love, connection, and care. Those moments make me feel present, grateful, and completely at ease.

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