Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Lin
Sherry, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Today, I am a registered dietitian, dancer, and and founder of Rhythm and Nutrition, Inc. My parents emigrated from Taiwan in the 80s and owned a small Chinese carryout. Since I was 9 years old, I learned how to cashier, chop vegetables, and cook fried rice. This is where my love for food and cooking began.
Despite the long hours and late evenings, my parents still taught me the importance of balancing hard work and having fun! They took my sister and I camping, went on fishing trips, and taught me how to play tennis. The balance of discipline and play informs how I approach nutrition, dance, and entrepreneurship to this day.
Growing up I also loved playing Sports – basketball, volleyball, badminton and tennis – but ultimately I fell in love with dance at a summer camp hosted by Taiwanese American Foundation (TAF). The camp counselors were college students who taught workshops on breaking (aka breakdancing), popping, and simple choreography that we would show our parents at the end of the week. After camp, my cousins and I would practice moves and routines in their basements.
My childhood love for food and dance eventually led me to become a registered dietitian, dancer, and choreographer. I majored in Nutrition Sciences as an undergrad at the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned a Master’s in Fine Arts in Dance through the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I now have my own business called Rhythm and Nutrition (www.rhythmandnutrition.com) with a mission to fuel people, passions, and purpose. There are many twists and turns that led me down this path, but how I did it was honestly by faith in God and the support of my community.
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?
Absolutely not. However, off-road journeys always make for better stories anyway! I can think of two major struggles that happen in 2016 and 2020. In the first five years of my career as a dietitian, I worked a full-time job at a non-profit organization and part-time at a community hospital in the South and West sides of Chicago. Simultaneously, I was a part of a dance company that rehearsed two times a week and performed in over 40 shows per year. While I was doing everything that I loved, I was burnt out from overworking and dancing and fell asleep behind the wheel one morning, causing a minor car accident. THANK GOD, no one was hurt, but I knew at that moment that something had to change… I had to change. That experience was the defining moment in my career and why I decided to name my company Rhythm and Nutrition. I had to discover a new rhythm to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. Thus, I began combining my nutrition knowledge with my passion for dance to help others experience a deeper, more holistic connection in mind, body, spirit, & community.
The second major struggle was coming out to my family. Growing up as a Queer Christian in Evangelical churches, I’ve gone through my fair share of confusion, heartaches, and loss. The biggest lessons I’ve learned from my ‘coming out’ journey are 1) shame is universal and 2) healing is possible.
My personal healing from shame is my greatest super power as a dietitian, even more than all the nutrition knowledge I can provide my clients. Because in our male-dominated, hetero-normative, and fat-phobic culture, we are often shamed for loving the “wrong” person, being in the “wrong” body shape or size, or even eating the “wrong” foods. I get to step in to help clients counter those voices. Shame keeps people stuck in old habits, which prevents them from becoming the people they want to be. As a dietitian, I get to walk alongside clients to remind them who they really are and who they want to become. Shame is universal, but so is healing. I love what I do because I get to see lives transformed.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With 12 years of professional experience in dance and nutrition, my mission is to help students and professionals rediscover their rhythm to a fulfilling & enjoyable lifestyle! I provide a holistic, non-diet approach to help clients experience greater joy and fulfillment in life and in their relationship with food. Personally, “healthy” means finding balance physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and spiritually. I am committed to walking alongside clients as they discover what “healthy” means for them. I value cultural awareness and nuance, diversity and health equity, community, and radical self-care.
I offer 1-on-1 nutrition counseling, group seminars, and online courses. Perspective clients can book a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with me at: https://calendly.com/rhythmandnutrition
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
A fun fact about me is that I once won a boat on “Let’s Make a Deal!” I love hiking with my dog, fishing with my retired father, cooking for my family, and dancing with my friends!
You can learn more about me at www.sherrylinrd.com or connect with me on Instagram @sherrylin.rd
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sherrylinrd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrylin.rd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhythmandnutritioninc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJCPjCkoz1Gb6An4rpYRcXw
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sherry-lin-rhythm-and-nutrition-los-angeles
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgA5J8HDxyHhPapB6
Image Credits
FOTOS IN MARZ (www.fotosinmarz.com)
