Did you miss the first post in this series? Read it here.
After experiencing a fire in grad school, I went on to work with a firefighter (now dear friend) as a nutrition client and this relationship led to my sharing my work with his department. The nutrition plan I created for this department was the spark that started my career in firefighter nutrition and wellness. Read about how I started working with the fire service HERE.
Once I got a taste of combining my passion for nutrition and education with a community that was faced with so many obstacles impeding health and wellness, I wanted more. I went to school for community nutrition — you work to create a trustworthy relationship with the community with the goal of creating positive nutrition changes, which in turn impact health and wellness.
As a woman working in a field predominantly populated with men, with no true connection to the fire service (ex: no family or significant other as firefighters), and a health professional, I was a total outsider. I knew nothing about working with the fire service and it truly showed when in my first interview with a chief I said, “I figure if I can teach college students, I can teach anyone.” and he laughed and responded with “If you can teach firefighters, you can teach anyone.” Touche, Chief, touche.
So, I got to work. I read loads of evidence-based literature reviews surrounding barriers to health in the fire service, looked at common health problems firefighters were faced with, and started asking questions and trying to gain trust. It turned into a research project that was never ending. The desire to make nutrition a priority within the fire service was also unending. All of the research and time spent lit me up. And even when I was (and am still) met with any form of resistance, I kept going because there was so much work to be done. There’s still (so much) work to be done.
I am continuously tested to see if I really want to stay in this field and work with the fire service. There are constant obstacles and haters. I’ve heard more nos than yeses. But I truly believe that I’ve heard some of the right yeses, and they keep me going. The ones that keep challenging me in positive ways. The ones that I’m invested in. And so the work continues.
Interested in free resources surrounding my nutrition for firefighters? Check out these blog posts.
Firehouse Magazine features can be found here.
Interested in applying to work with me and create a nutrition program for firefighters? Click here to apply!
Interested in learning more about the nutrition services I offer? Click here to learn more.
I’m the nutritionist and educator behind Eats 2 Know, LLC. With a simplified approach to nutrition, I showcase that eating healthy is attainable, even if you’re on a budget or crunched for time.
The nutritionist and educator behind Eats 2 Know, LLC.
