Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Pine.
Lindsey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was a kid, I knew that I wanted to do something with food, but didn’t really know what that would look like in the future. I ended up dropping out of college in my sophomore year at UCSB and moving to Seattle to attend Culinary School. After working in restaurants at Disneyland, Seattle, Sonoma, and San Diego, I moved back to my hometown of LA and worked as a personal chef for an executive in the music industry. She was looking to lose weight, but she but insisted on keeping her food calories capped at 700 kcals in order to compensate for all of the alcohol she drank when she went out to the clubs every night! I knew that weight loss didn’t quite work that way but wanted to know the science, so it was at that point that I decided to go back to school, get my masters in nutritional science and become a Registered Dietitian. It was the best decision I have ever made and I haven’t looked back since!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I was a professional student for many years before I found my calling. My advice to young women is don’t worry about racing through college in four years. Find something that speaks to you and follows the path it takes you on. Sometimes, that path is windy, but eventually, you’ll end up in a place where you’re passionate about what you do. While in school, I also recommend getting real-world working experience and that doesn’t necessarily mean a paid job. Volunteering and internships can be just as valuable and show that you’re willing to put in the work.
We’d love to hear more about TastyBalance Nutrition.
I actually have a full-time job in addition to my business, TastyBalance Nutrition, which definitely keeps me from getting bored! For the past six and 1/2 years, I have worked as the full-time Dining Dietitian for the University of Southern California. My background in culinary and restaurant work has been extremely helpful in this position where I work with chefs every single day. I also help to accommodate students with medically necessitated special dietary needs to have a normal college experience by providing access to safe food. I’m proud that I’m helping to elevate college foodservice to a level where healthy food is delicious and the norm.
TastyBalance Nutrition is my consulting business where I focus on cooking whole foods for good mood, brain health, increased energy and helping people who are looking for more balance in their lives. I do this through blogging, recipe development, writing, corporate wellness workshops, creating content for brands and working one on one with clients, particularly those with food sensitivities. I use the title Culinary Dietitian because my focus is on food and cooking. Having a variety of functions in my business keeps me excited about what I do, but it will always be about the food!
I do work with brands in the form of sponsored social media posts, blog posts, and recipe development and when working in this capacity, I’m proud that I don’t take every opportunity that comes my way. There was an instance a few years ago where I really needed the money, but I turned down a major opportunity with an extremely high profile brand because I wouldn’t compromise my personal integrity for a buck. If a brand doesn’t align with my morals and vision, I decline the offer. Money is important, but not at the cost of my soul. I want my personal brand to be as authentic and transparent as possible.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I think the biggest barrier is our own SELF. It’s pretty easy to go out and get a job working for someone else, but it’s scary and hard to start your own business. I spent so much time worrying about all of the little things like how was I going to build a website, what are the administrative rules to starting a business, how would I get clients, would anyone even read my blog, etc etc. The list of self-doubt goes on and on and on. The second you dive in and decide to go for it, you will figure it out and things seem to fall into place. As long as you believe in yourself, stop comparing yourself to others and decide that you are worthy of being happy and successful, you can do anything. Dietitians are often type-A personalities who work very hard and worry about everything going right all of the time. Everything’s not going to go right all of the time, but that’s OK. Bumps in the road can be some of the greatest learning opportunities.
I also think that women can advance in their careers so much more just by working together. There are enough opportunities and clients out there in the world for all of us. My “competition” are also wonderful friends of mine and by supporting and working together, I’ve gotten farther in my business than I could have on my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: tastybalancenutrition.com
- Email: lindsey@tastybalacenutrition.com
- Instagram: @tastybalance
- Facebook: @tastybalancenutrition
- Twitter: @tastybalance
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/TastyBalance/
Image Credit:
Lindsey Pine
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