Meet Dana Simkins of Family Style Nutrition in Platt Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Simkins.

Dana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since my earliest memories of childhood, obesity set limits on my life. My weight dictated what I wore, how I moved, even who I talked to. Worst of all, after repeatedly trying and failing to lose weight, obesity put a ceiling on my self-worth, convincing me that I was doomed to live an unhealthy and unhappy life. But, in 2006 I broke free of this self-doubt. I was determined to make a lasting change. I began to change my eating habits. It was hard work, but every day I felt new benefits of my continued commitment to healthy living.

As the pounds were shed, I began to crave a more meaningful career and in 2011, decided to step away from my role in media production and to devote my professional life to health and wellness counseling. I took a job as a meeting leader for Weight Watchers while working toward a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics at New York University. In 2016 I graduated and founded FamilyStyleNutrition.com as a resource for pregnant women, new mothers, and parents of infants and young children.

Great, 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?
Changing careers in my late 20’s was a bit intimidating. I had no educational background in science which meant my advanced degree would take three years to complete. During that time I also got married and had my first child. Becoming a mother is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life, but it has meant sometimes stepping away from the site while I devote my time to my family.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
Family Style Nutrition is an online resource for pregnant women, new mothers & parents of infants and young children. I specialize in the Baby Led Weaning approach to introducing solid foods and enjoy writing educational materials on that topic which are freely available to the public on the site. I also offer in-person seminars on prenatal nutrition and baby led weaning.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Patience and persistence have been integral parts of my personal and professional life. My weight loss journey was not quick or easy, and neither was the pursuit of my degree or success of my site.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.familystylenutrition.com
• Email: dana@familystylenutrition.com
• Instagram: familystylenutrition
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyStyleNutrition/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/danasimkins

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