Community Highlights: Meet Erica Giovinazzo, MS, RD, CPT

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Giovinazzo, MS, RD, CPT.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For the record, I was *that* friend. You know, the one you ask all your nutrition questions to. Why are you eating burdock? What do you think about pomegranate juice? I was also always on the move. Primarily a martial artist growing up and through college, I also played tennis in high school, fenced in college, hiked, and played any sport I could get my hands on in between.

After I moved from my hometown in New Hampshire to NYC, I got really into yoga. And then, when I found CrossFit a few years later, I immediately became obsessed. When I was looking to supplement acting with another job, my boyfriend at the time asked, “What about nutrition?” and it was a clear, resounding, obvious, hit-you-in-the-gut YES. I made the tough choice between Columbia University and New York University, eventually deciding on NYU’s Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition because it appealed to my more science-y side vs a public health/education-y slant. At the same time I also started to coach my new passion / obsession — CrossFit — perfectly complimenting the years I spent teaching martial arts and yoga since I was a teenager.

You know those periods in your life where everything seems to fit? That was one of those. I knew that I had finally aligned with my purpose in life: to help others realize their power and potential to become the healthiest and fittest person that they can be. To help bring them into their best balance through food and fitness.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! The road to greatness is never smooth! Despite the clarity, I had that nutrition & training would be my life’s work it has been anything but easy. My extreme type A personality helped me earn a 4.0 in NYU’s tough grad program and dietetic internship, but it was not without struggle. I pushed TOO hard, stressed out TOO much about being “perfect,” and nearly overdid it. Luckily, I had an incredible mentor who helped (forced?) me to realize that I was putting too much pressure on myself which taught me how to relax… a little… but it was something.

Since that first hurdle, I’ve experienced a number of struggles professionally. I managed and coached at a gym where I, again, poured my heart and soul into helping others. But the owner doubted, judged and criticized my contributions when I asked if I could run my Food & Fitness Challenge group program at the gym. Even though members and clients loved the results they got from my nutrition coaching, co-workers spread lies and gossip about me, poisoning my reputation in the immediate and greater community.

But there is a silver lining in every situation. This led me to focus on growing my own nutrition & training business, of which I am incredibly proud.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
For over a decade, I’ve been Erica’s Edge, but my business will soon be known as EQLBRM Nutrition & Training to reflect my truest mission: to help people find their equilibrium and reach their goals while finding balance in nutrition, health, fitness and life.

I facilitate programming at the corporate level, bringing nutrition, health, and balance to busy executives at places like NBC Universal, Art of Tea, and Saint John’s Providence Hospital. I also hold EQLBRM Food & Fitness Challenge events several times a year for all types of people all across the country. And I take on private clients who I work with on nutrition and personal training, both in Los Angeles and remotely. My training clients are usually interested in CrossFit, weight loss, or bodybuilding, but I also work with those seeking sports-specific training.

Most people come to me for weight loss, usually having tried “everything else.” Haven’t we all! What has made my approach uniquely successful for clients is setting specific individualized macronutrient (carbs, protein, and fat) goals. AND IT WORKS! I am so proud of what I do because I can truly help people reach their weight loss goals in a healthy, sustainable, balanced, and empowering way. It’s thrilling for each of us to reach our goals and truly change our lives in the process!

Of course, everyone’s body is different. And depending on the client, I might suggest intuitive eating or more basic nutrition changes. With a clinical background as a CSSD (certified specialist in sports dietetics) for five years and current studies in advanced accreditation in functional nutrition, I also welcome clients with gut issues, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as high-performing athletes. I’m a big nutrition and training geek and I love it all.

For those who are interested in a deeper dive into my take on nutrition, training, and balanced wellness as a lifestyle, I also launched a reader-supported publication on substack, which I post to regularly.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Did I mention I’m a nerd? For nutrition, I listen to The Doctor’s Farmacy podcast religiously and also like Huberman Lab. For training, I geek out on Whoop’s podcast. For my mind and soul, I listen to Jack Kornfield’s Heart Wisdom podcast. Like just about everyone else, I spend hours commuting in Los Angeles so a podcast or audiobook is usually playing.

I’m also an avid reader. I’m currently reading Lifespan by Dr. David Sinclair, but some of my favorites are: Atomic Habits (James Clear, which I recommend to ALL my clients), Mindset (Carol Dweck), The Mindful Athlete (George Mumford), Deep Nutrition (Catherine Shanahan), Essentialism (George McKeown) and anything by Ryan Holiday or His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

I meditate regularly, but when I feel like I need a guided meditation, I use the Headspace app, which I recommend for anyone who wants to develop a meditation practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ericasedge.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericasedge/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063441536579
• Other: https://ericasedge.substack.com/