We were lucky to catch up with Merissa Mills recently and have shared our conversation below.
Merissa, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Developing my confidence and self-esteem has been a journey — both personally and professionally. One of the most transformative experiences was my own health journey: I lost over 100 pounds naturally through diet and exercise. That process taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of small, consistent changes. It also gave me a deep, firsthand understanding of the emotional and mental challenges that come with changing your lifestyle. When I became a registered dietitian and started my own business, I knew I wanted to use that personal experience to help others — not just with the science of nutrition, but with real-world empathy and support.
But even with those accomplishments, I dealt with imposter syndrome. It’s easy to feel like you’re not “enough” — especially in healthcare, where there’s always someone with more experience, more credentials, or a bigger following. Starting my own business forced me to face that head-on. I had to remind myself that my lived experience, combined with my education and passion, is valuable. That my story doesn’t disqualify me — it enhances my ability to connect with and support my clients.
Confidence didn’t happen overnight. It grew from showing up consistently — giving talks, taking client feedback seriously, investing in mentorship, and surrounding myself with supportive, like-minded professionals. I learned that confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being willing to keep learning, keep growing, and keep showing up authentically.
Owning my story — including the struggles — has been key to building both my confidence and a business that feels meaningful and aligned with who I am.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At Vitality Rose Nutrition, we provide personalized, compassionate nutrition counseling through a fully virtual (telehealth) platform. Our mission is to help individuals improve their health and relationship with food in a sustainable, realistic way — no fad diets, no guilt, just evidence-based guidance tailored to your unique lifestyle and goals.
What makes Vitality Rose Nutrition special is the deep, judgment-free connection we strive to create with each client. I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate nutrition advice — especially with so much conflicting information out there. That’s why our approach is rooted in education, empowerment, and behavior change that actually sticks. Every dietitian at Vitality Rose Nutrition offers support that meets people where they are, whether they’re working on weight management, gut health, emotional eating, or just wanting to feel better in their bodies.
What excites me most is witnessing the “aha” moments — when a client starts to feel more energized, less restricted, or finally sees progress after years of frustration. It’s incredibly rewarding to play a part in someone’s journey to improved confidence and vitality. Recently, I helped a client of mine reach the weight requirements to participate in IVF. Because of this, she is now pregnant I get to support her throughout the different stages of her pregnancy. I never thought as a dietitian I would be able to make such a large difference in people’s lives.
As for what’s new — Vitality Rose Nutrition is currently working to offer small-group virtual coaching programs, which will allow clients to receive guidance and community support in a more accessible format. Whether you’re just beginning your health journey or looking for deeper guidance, Vitality Rose Nutrition is here to support you with science, empathy, and real-world strategies. At Vitality Rose Nutrition, we focus on progress over perfection — because your well-being is worth investing in.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey have been resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Resilience was essential, both in my personal health transformation and in building my business. Losing over 100 pounds taught me that progress isn’t linear — there will be setbacks, doubts, and plateaus. The same is true in entrepreneurship. There were moments I questioned whether I was “qualified enough” or if I was doing things “right.” Pushing through those moments, staying adaptable, and not letting fear or failure stop me has been key.
Authenticity has shaped how I connect with clients and grow my brand. I’ve learned that people are drawn to realness — they don’t need a perfect expert, they need someone who gets it and can walk alongside them. The more I leaned into my own story and let go of trying to fit a mold, the more aligned and impactful my work became. If you’re early in your journey, don’t be afraid to show up as yourself. That’s where your true connection and impact live.
Lastly, lifelong learning has kept me grounded and evolving. The field of nutrition is constantly changing, and so is the business landscape. I stay curious — whether it’s diving into new research, improving my counseling skills, or learning how to better serve clients through technology and telehealth. My advice? Never stop investing in yourself. Whether it’s formal education, mentorship, or just staying open to feedback, growth is what keeps your work relevant and rewarding.
For anyone starting out — give yourself grace, find your voice, and know that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Your journey doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
One of the most impactful things my parents did for me — especially my mom — was show me the power of perseverance and self-belief. After my sisters and I were born, my mom put herself through college. She didn’t wait for the “perfect time” — she made it happen while raising a family, which is something I admire deeply to this day. I even attended class with her as a child sometimes, sitting quietly in the back of the room, watching her learn and work toward something bigger. At the time, I didn’t realize how formative that experience was, but looking back, it gave me such a strong model of what it means to chase your goals, no matter the circumstances.
That example shaped so much of who I am — as a person, a registered dietitian, and now a business owner. It taught me that hard work and education open doors, and that you don’t have to follow a conventional timeline to succeed. My parents never made excuses — they made things work, and they modeled integrity and determination every step of the way.
At the same time, they always made me feel like I was capable — that even if I didn’t have it all figured out, I could learn, grow, and become whatever I set my mind to. Even during times when I struggled with confidence or imposter syndrome, I could hear that voice in the back of my mind — reminding me that I’ve overcome hard things before, and I can do it again. That mindset has been everything in helping me show up for myself, my clients, and my business. That belief became a foundation for how I navigated my personal health journey, my education, and eventually building Vitality Rose Nutrition, LLC.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vitalityrosenutrition.com
- Instagram: @merissaroserd and @vitalityrosenutrition
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