Pursuing Private Practice

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Dr. Katie Smith, Registered Dietitian and certified exercise physiologist, for a conversation about functional nutrition, a holistic approach to health, and building a private practice that supports the season of life you're in. Jennifer and Katie discuss what it really means to look for the root cause of a client's symptoms, why more testing isn't always better, and how gut health, stress, sleep, and nutrition connect to hormone health. They also discuss career transitions and how Katie's decision to leave her "dream job" to create a private practice gave her space for both meaningful work and the life she wants outside of it. What Functional Nutrition Really Means (03:12) Katie explains functional nutrition as individualized care that looks at the whole health picture. Jennifer and Katie discuss how food, sleep, stress, movement, and other lifestyle factors all work together. Getting to the Root Cause Without More Overwhelm (06:24) Katie discusses what it really means to get to the root cause of a health concern, and why replacing a long list of medications with an overwhelming list of supplements isn't necessarily the answer. From Academia to Private Practice (10:22) Katie shares how motherhood and a changing season of life led her to reconsider a career in academia that she once thought she'd have forever. The Story Behind 4Gen Wellness (17:19) Katie explains how her background in women's health, her four daughters, and the idea of generational wellness inspired her private practice. Jennifer adds another layer to the conversation: the impact our relationship with food can have on the next generation. Hormones Are the Messenger (22:20) Katie explains why hormones aren't always the problem, but can instead be the messenger of what's happening elsewhere in the body. Jennifer and Katie discuss the foundational role of gut health, sleep, stress, nutrition, and nervous system regulation. When Functional Labs Are Actually Useful (28:33) Katie shares why she doesn't automatically start with functional testing and how she considers cost, symptoms, and foundational nutrition first. Building a Practice Around How You Work Best (33:58) Katie shares how her background as a teacher shapes everything from her initial appointments to the education she provides clients. Jennifer and Katie also explore future offers that could expand her impact without creating burnout. Getting Started in Functional Nutrition (36:56) Katie offers advice for dietitians interested in functional nutrition, including why learning will always be part of the process. Private Practice Doesn't Have to Look One Way (41:30) Katie reflects on building a full practice through word of mouth while keeping social media lower on her priority list. Jennifer reinforces the freedom to choose a business model that works for you. Your clients may come to you wanting their hormones "fixed" or looking for the one test that will finally give them an answer, but this conversation is a reminder of how much deeper nutrition care can go. You have the opportunity to help clients understand the bigger picture, prioritize what matters, and make changes that are actually realistic for their lives. This bigger-picture thinking matters in your business, too. You don't need to do everything, follow someone else's business model, or have your entire career figured out. You can keep learning, lean into the work you do best, and build a business that supports both the clients you want to serve and the life you want to live. Your private practice doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be meaningful, impactful, or successful. Sponsor: ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/ Connect with Pursuing Private Practice: 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business: 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast About Katie: Dr. Smith is a Registered & Licensed Dietitian and Certified Exercise Physiologist with nearly 20 years as a health & fitness practitioner and researcher. She received her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Nutritional Sciences and her B.A. in Athletic Training. She is a published author in several scientific journals and has presented throughout the United States and internationally. Her research background encompasses several facets of women's health, particularly prenatal lifestyle interventions to prevent maternal and fetal chronic disease. This work sparked her interest in generational health across the lifespan. She's also a wife and mom to 4 young girls, further inspiring her professional pursuits to optimize hormonal health & function for all ages. Outside of work, she loves to be active, be in the kitchen with her family, travel, and all things Disney! Connect with Katie: Website Instagram: @fourgenwellness

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Serena Stewart, Registered Dietitian, running coach, and running nutrition expert, for a conversation about what dietitians need to know about running nutrition, sports nutrition, and building a private practice that evolves alongside your life. Jennifer and Serena explore why so many runners unknowingly underfuel, how proper nutrition impacts everything from performance to GI symptoms and recovery, and why working with a sports dietitian is about so much more than carb loading. They also discuss creating offers beyond one-to-one counseling, finding mentorship within your specialty, and designing a business that supports both your clients and your personal life. Why Running Nutrition Is More Than Just Eating More (04:41) Serena explains why fueling runners requires far more nuance than simply increasing calories. She walks through the many pieces that come together in an individualized running nutrition plan, from glycogen replenishment to GI tolerance and recovery. How Serena Accidentally Found Her Niche (07:32) Serena shares how her clinical background unexpectedly led her into running nutrition, and how what started as a hobby became a thriving private practice. Helping Clients Connect the Dots Between Nutrition and Performance (13:24) Jennifer and Serena discuss why dietitians need to translate nutrition science into meaningful, real-life outcomes so clients understand how proper fueling supports both their running goals and everyday life. Building a Practice Beyond One-to-One Sessions (15:56) Serena shares how her services evolved from individual counseling into memberships, masterclasses, and her Eat Like an Athlete Bootcamp, creating more flexibility for both her clients and herself. Why Group Programs Can Create Incredible Client Results (21:14) Jennifer and Serena reflect on the unexpected benefits of group coaching, including peer support, shared learning, and creating a client experience that goes beyond traditional individual sessions. Growing Into Sports Nutrition With Confidence (24:52) Serena shares why supervision, continuing education, and asking for help have been essential to her growth as a sports dietitian. The Overlap Between Sports Nutrition and Eating Disorder Care (26:57) Jennifer and Serena explore the important relationship between running nutrition and eating disorders, along with the ethical considerations, boundaries, and referrals that help dietitians practice within their scope. Marketing That Speaks to Real Client Pain Points (31:14) Serena explains how identifying the specific symptoms clients experience has transformed her marketing and helped attract the right people to her practice. Building a Business That Fits Your Season of Life (34:06) Jennifer and Serena close with an honest conversation about motherhood, entrepreneurship, and giving yourself permission to build a business that supports your family, your values, and your long-term goals. Whether you're a sports dietitian or simply want to feel more confident supporting active clients, this conversation will help you better understand the important role nutrition plays in performance, recovery, GI health, and overall well-being. Beyond the clinical conversation, this episode is also a reminder that there isn't just one way to build a successful private practice. As your expertise grows and your life changes, your business can evolve with you. The most sustainable practices are often built by staying curious, continuing to learn, and creating offers that allow you to care deeply for your clients while honoring your own priorities, too. This episode is a reminder that some of the best opportunities come from being willing to ask questions, seek mentorship, and trust that your business is allowed to grow right alongside you. Sponsor: ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/ Connect with Pursuing Private Practice: 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business: 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast About Serena:Serena Stewart is a Registered Dietitian and running coach specializing in helping female runners shift their focus from shrinking to fueling for BIG dreams! Serena uses a unique blend of somatic counseling techniques and running nutrition to help female runners embrace eating like an athlete while learning to finally feel more comfortable in their skin. She is a runner herself and has run 4 BQs, 33 half marathons, and 7 marathons. When not running, she enjoys cooking, hiking, or playing in the park with her son. Connect with Serena: Instagram: @runnergirldietitian Resources from Serena: Free Race Week Checklist Offseason Reset

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Courtney Vickery, a valued team member and a multi-passionate entrepreneur in the weight-inclusive space, as they dive deep into the journey of building a successful private practice. In this special series, they explore the five distinct stages of business: SET UP, START, GROW, LEAD, and COAST. Each stage comes with its own set of emotions, challenges, and action steps, and they're here to guide you through them all. Whether you're just setting up your practice or looking to expand and lead a team, they've got insights and resources tailored for you. Join them for stories, lessons learned, and expert advice to help you run your business like a CEO. Get ready to take up space in business and redefine what success means for you. Introduction to the Podcast Series: The podcast series explores the stages of business, emphasizing personalized approaches in life and business. Changes to Business School: Business School and EXPAND are being combined into one program with two tracks, providing more direct support. Stages of Business Framework: The framework outlines five stages of business, each with unique challenges and focuses. Introducing each stage of business: In the SET UP stage of business, you're laying the foundation to officially open your practice within 30 days. This phase is all about taking action and shifting into the mindset of a business owner. It's a time to make important decisions, like defining your ideal client and creating your first offer, while navigating the legal aspects of your practice. While this stage is filled with excitement and hope, it's also normal to experience anxiety and fear. In the START stage of business, it's time to actively present your practice and announce that you're open for business. This phase is all about experimenting with different marketing strategies, refining your systems, setting boundaries, and discovering your unique counseling style. As you build your skills, you'll gain confidence in your ability to market your business and deliver client results. Although this stage is exciting, it can also be frustrating at times, especially when you feel overwhelmed with balancing so many different tasks. In the GROW stage of business, you'll focus on expanding your reach, refining your marketing, and improving your systems—all while continuing to serve your clients effectively. During this stage, you'll experiment with different strategies to grow your audience and streamline your business. You may feel proud of your progress but also feel the pull to transition into full-time entrepreneurship, especially if you're currently balancing a job. Both the excitement and the challenges you face are part of the journey. The LEAD stage is all about stepping into a leadership role that helps you grow your business without burning out. It's not just about constantly growing—it's about making your business more efficient, finding ways to take a step back when needed, and setting up systems that keep things running smoothly. Whether you're preparing to coast or just want to focus on leading your team, this stage is about building a sustainable business that works for you. It's a chance to refine your leadership skills and make sure your business is set up for long-term success. The COAST stage is all about reconnecting with your "why" and giving yourself the permission to take a breather when you need it. It might be the most important stage of your business journey because it's all about recharging, refocusing, and keeping things going at a pace that works for you. Whether you're working through burnout or just enjoying the space after a period of hard work, slowing down can actually be a big step forward for your business. No matter what stage you're in, this series will inspire you to take bold action and build a business that works for your life. It's time to take up space in business! Timestamps: 00:01 Introduction to the Podcast Series: Introduction of the new podcast series focused on the stages of business development, emphasizing that "one size does not fit all." 00:24 Structure of the Podcast Series: The series will include an introduction and individual episodes for each business stage, encouraging listeners to download relevant episodes. 01:56 Business School Mastermind Program: Business School offers business coaching and a supportive community for dietitians. We're adding more to the program in September! 04:09 Co-host Introduction: Courtney is introduced as the co-host, having experienced all stages of business. 13:45 SET UP Stage of Business: Focus on laying the foundation to open a private practice within 30 days, addressing emotions and challenges. 17:57 START Stage of Business: Emphasis on presenting the practice, experimenting with marketing, refining systems and counseling style. 24:20 GROW Stage of Business: Expanding reach, refining marketing, and balancing client work with business growth. 32:50 LEAD Stage of Business: Importance of stepping into a leadership role, hiring, and building a sustainable business. 38:53 COAST Stage of Business: Emphasis on reconnecting with the business's "why" and taking a breather to recharge and refocus. This episode gives you a quick overview of each stage, so you can reflect where you are and decide which episodes in the series are going to help move your business forward. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes dedicated to each stage of business this month! Courtney Vickery, MS, RD, LD is an anti-diet dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor with her own private practice, Vickery Wellness. She is also the CEO of Declet Designs, her website and branding studio for weight-inclusive businesses. Find Courtney on Instagram at @decletdesigns Sponsor: ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/ Connect with Pursuing Private Practice: 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business: 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Sumner Brooks, the founder of EDRDPro, co-author of How to Raise an Intuitive Eater, mom of two, and dog-loving RDN. Sumner shares her advice on raising children to become intuitive eaters, drawing from her personal journey in motherhood and her professional expertise. We discuss her three keys framework for fostering a healthy relationship with food and body image in children, and explore the challenges and triumphs of "balancing" motherhood as a business owner. Whether you're a parent, a dietitian, or someone interested in Intuitive Eating, this episode is packed with wisdom, tips, and resources to inspire and support you on your journey. Writing "How to Raise an Intuitive Eater": Sumner shares her collaboration with Amee Severson and the process of writing their book, expressing gratitude to her mentor, Elyse Resch. The Three Keys Model in the Book: The book's framework includes three keys, unconditional love, flexible feeding routine, and intuitive eating voice, that interconnect to support intuitive eating. Advice for Dietitians Working with Families: Sumner advises dietitians to understand intuitive eating with adults first and emphasizes the importance of listening skills and checking biases. Balancing Motherhood and Business Ownership: Sumner discusses her personal experience with prioritizing and managing time to balance work and family life. Sumner's insights offer a powerful reminder that supporting intuitive eating in families starts with understanding, compassion, and balance - both at home and in business. Timestamps: 01:11 Discussion on Intuitive Eating and Parenting: Sumner shares her framework from the book and offers practical tips and resources for parents. 03:25 Sumner's Professional Journey and New Podcast: Discussion of Sumner's new podcast, "What the Fuss? Parenting for Food and Body Image," aimed at addressing parents' questions. 05:16 EDRD Pro and Professional Development: Sumner talks about EDRD Pro, an online platform for continuing education in eating disorder care, and its supportive community. 08:15 Writing "How to Raise an Intuitive Eater": Sumner shares the journey of writing the book with co-author Amee Severson and the influence of mentor Elyse Resch. 16:20 The Three Keys Framework Explained: Discussion of the three keys framework, emphasizing the importance of each component in raising intuitive eaters. 22:43 Advice for Dietitians Working with Families: Tips for dietitians interested in working with families on intuitive eating, highlighting the importance of listening skills. 32:35 Balancing Motherhood and Business: Reflection on the challenges of integrating motherhood with business ownership, sharing personal insights and strategies. Raising intuitive eaters and running a business both require flexibility, self-awareness, and a strong foundation of support, whether at home or in your professional community. Sumner is a mom to 2 amazing kids, an avid reader, and a dog-loving registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) based outside of Portland, Oregon. She has been working in the eating disorder treatment space since 2009. As the founder of EDRDPro, Sumner's professional focus is on bringing innovative eating disorder training to fellow dietitians and students through weight-inclusive and diversity-affirming models of care. By marrying her passion for helping people heal with her entrepreneurial drive, Sumner's goal in building EDRD Pro is to ensure accessible, top-quality training is available to dietitians in the eating disorder space. She is also the co-author of How to Raise an Intuitive Eater: Raising the Next Generation with Food and Body Confidence. Want more from Sumner? Follow her on Instagram @intuitiveeatingrd Visit EDRDPro's website. Purchase her book: How to Raise an Intuitive Eater: Raising the Next Generation with Food and Body Confidence. Sponsor: ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/ Connect with Pursuing Private Practice: 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business: 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast! Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Nicole Groman, MS, RDN, as Nicole shares her journey from starting a private practice to launching a line of anti-diet merchandise that resonates with both clients and professionals. You'll hear about the ups and downs of selling merchandise, the creative process behind Nicole's designs, and how a product line supports her business mission. Whether you're just starting out or growing your brand, this episode is full of inspiration for turning your passion into creative offers that make an impact. Get ready to be inspired by Nicole's story to grow your business in a meaningful way. Journey to Becoming a Dietitian: Nicole shares her background in psychology, her lived experience with healing from disordered eating, and her transition into private practice. Development of Private Practice and Merchandise Line: Nicole outlines her journey from starting a private practice to launching a merchandise line. Success at Conferences and Expos: Nicole shares her experiences and successes at FNCE and what she would have done differently. Marketing Challenges: Nicole talks about how marketing merchandise can be challenging, but integrating a product line into other business offers and promotions has worked well. Timestamps: 03:23 Nicole's Journey: Nicole shares her transition from psychology major to dietetics, highlighting her personal struggles with food. 05:15 Starting a Merchandise Line: Nicole explains the initial idea for her merchandise, starting with a simple design that gained traction on social media. 06:51 Initial Challenges: Nicole discusses the logistical challenges of handling production herself, leading to a temporary pause of the merchandise line. 10:06 Revamp and Success: Nicole talks about revamping her merchandise line, leading to success at FNCE in 2022 and 2023. 16:17 Marketing Challenges: The hardest part of selling merchandise is marketing, as Nicole balances multiple business offers and different ideal clients. 20:10 Future Plans: Nicole shares excitement for new designs and products, discussing strategies to engage her audience for feedback on colors and styles. 25:20 Creative Process: Nicole talks about her creative process and hopes for the merchandise line to grow and reach more people. Nicole's journey shows how blending creativity with purpose can turn an idea into a meaningful and successful extension of your brand. Nicole is a Registered Dietitian with close to 10 years of experience helping individuals heal their relationships with food and their bodies. Her own history working towards intuitive eating has shaped her compassionate, non-diet approach to nutrition. Nicole believes that all foods can fit into a balanced and fulfilling life, and she empowers her clients to let go of dieting and find peace with food through one to one counseling and group programs. She shares her intuitive eating philosophy and practical tips for a sustainable relationship with food with her community on Instagram @thehungryclementine and has created an apparel line of merchandise that celebrates and encourages breaking free from dieting for good. Want more from Nicole? View her merchandise! Visit her website Check out her Eat, Chat, Love Community Sponsor: ✨ Business School is designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you're fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you'll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You'll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you're supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply here: https://pursuingprivatepractice.com/businessschool/ Connect with Pursuing Private Practice: 🎉 Instagram: @pursuing.private.practice 📧 Email: Contact Us Free Resources For Dietitians at Any Stage of Business: 🍎 The Ultimate Checklist to Start Your Private Practice ✨ Free Training: Get Clients Now 3-Day Challenge 👯 Free Workshop: Hire Your Next Team Member 💻 The Pursuing Private Practice Blog 🎙️The Pursuing Private Practice Podcast