We’re looking forward to introducing you to Heather Fiore MS Ed, RD, LD, CDCES. Check out our conversation below.
Heather, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
A couple of years ago, I was awarded “Outstanding Career Person of the Year” by one of my local networking groups. It was a shock and a huge honor. Not only did my friends and colleagues feel compelled to acknowledge me in this way, but my family all came out to see me receive the award. My husband, after hearing about it, took it upon himself to coordinate having my parents and both of my sisters fly halfway across the country to be there for me. When I saw them all standing in the back of the room, I thought “oh my gosh, they all came here for me?” It was an incredibly special moment and demonstration of their love. And no, I did not feel I deserved it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Care & Education Specialist with a private practice in Lawrence, Kansas. I help people enjoy eating without guilt by empowering them to ditch diets and learn how to trust their bodies again. I practice from a weight-inclusive lens, which is pretty rare in the diabetes space. I love giving people permission to eat, especially when they are expecting more rules about what not to eat.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad owned his own business for my entire life, until he retired. He taught me so many things about work! He always treated his employees well, which made them very loyal to him and the business. He worked hard but also knew the importance of spending quality time with his family. And something he said that always stuck with me was “Don’t count other people’s money.” Meaning, don’t decide what someone else can or can’t afford.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being wrong is definitely something that has held me back throughout my life. As a student, I was never quick to raise my hand to answer a question in case I was wrong. So often I’ve said nothing thinking that is better than saying the wrong thing. I think the fear continues, but I try to approach it with openness. I’m very up front with my clients about things I don’t know. Rather than taking a guess, I will admit I’m not sure, and folks seem to appreciate that.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I am shocked that so many dietitians are still working on the premise of calories in and calories out, that we all can and should control our bodies. Instead of acknowledging that bodies are complicated and often unpredictable, they will take the stance that someone is not being honest about how much they are eating or exercising.
I hope that some day we can all admit that bodies do unexpected things, and it’s not our fault. Dietitians should focus on behaviors, and weight is not a behavior.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
First thing to go would be flossing my teeth! This is one of the few behaviors I do for the purpose of the long-game. I also would stop saving for retirement! Everything else I do provides some kind of benefit to me right now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.freestatenutrition.com
- Instagram: @heatherfiorerd
- Linkedin: @heather-fiore-rd
- Facebook: @heatherfiorerd
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/free-state-nutrition-lawrence-2
- Youtube: @heatherfiore8900
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
