Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Marchese.
Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Long before I became a Registered Dietitian, I was what you might call a hardcore ‘Nutrition Nerd’. I would literally spend hours researching the scientific highlights or proposed benefits of whatever new foods were trending in the nutrition world. Early in life, I’d also had my fair share of health challenges, amplifying my respect for the synergistic power of fueling the body with the nutrition it needs to not just survive – but thrive.
Eating healthy was my passion, but it took a few years before I finally realized I could make it my job too. I had been on another career path in television journalism, but I kept feeling like there was more out there for me – and more ways to make a real impact and lasting difference in people’s lives. I wanted to be able to use my voice and platform to help people reach better wellness and optimize their nourishment.
With a prior bachelors and masters already under my belt, I made the bold decision to go back to school again to finally chase my Registered Dietitian dreams. Fast forward over twelve years now – and I couldn’t be happier about the decision I made. I feel like I am living proof that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
I’m so proud to be a Registered Dietitian and clinical nutritionist who is able to offer my patients the security of knowing that my guidance and recommendations will always be based on scientific evidence – and never hype. There is SO much misinformation floating around out there on social media and I love empowering my patients with the knowledge and tools to cut through the clutter of ‘nutrition nonsense’ online. Registered Dietitians like myself are extensively educated in medical and nutrition sciences and specifically trained to treat a wide variety of diseases and health concerns from a nutritional perspective. Now I can finally put that nutrition-nerdiness to good use – and help guide so many people toward reaching their wellness goals.
While I gained respect for nearly every potential RD career path throughout my education, internship and immersive training experiences, I absolutely fell in love with clinical nutrition counseling and the highly-personalized nature of being able to inspire and shape an individual’s health journey toward better nourishment. After working for a few years as an RD for another private practice in north Atlanta, I moved to Peachtree City in 2016 and opened Nourishing Nutrition Consulting. I love providing my patients with access to scientifically-sound nutrition recommendations and simple strategies to better nourish themselves and their families.
Coming from humble middle class roots though, I also understand that finances and insurance limitations can create barriers to access one-on-one nutrition counseling services with an RD. Out of that recognition and my previous career experiences in media, I launched a ‘Healthier You in 2’ video series and continue to create informative, evidence-based content for my social media channels. Whether someone works with me individually or watches my videos on my Instagram page @LauraMarcheseRD, my ultimate goal is to translate the complex science of food and nutrition into more ‘digestible’ information and insight that empowers them to make better choices.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, I have been blessed by a largely smooth road to chase my nutrition dreams and launch my career ambitions. That being said, shortly after starting Nourishing Nutrition Consulting, my husband and I welcomed our first child in October 2017, barely a year after opening my doors. Without any family living nearby, we both essentially had a crash course in navigating the challenges of balancing parenthood while both owning our own businesses and working in healthcare. When Covid hit, my husband and I had to pivot again to make accommodations for both our patients and our growing family’s needs as it felt like the whole world shut down. However, I count my blessings in that our family made it through that difficult time largely unscathed and were ready to keep building on our dream future. In 2022, we welcomed our second child and today we have two amazing little girls, aged 8 and 4, plus two Great Pyrenees pups, Lila and Bear.
We’ve been impressed with Nourishing Nutrition Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I enjoy working with patients seeking nutrition guidance for a wide variety of health challenges and goals, However, I have recently become more recognized in south Atlanta as an experienced and trusted RD provider for individuals struggling with eating disorders. Working with this population is so rewarding and I’m inspired everyday by the bravery and resolve of my patients who are fighting so hard on their recovery journey – meal by meal, bite by bite. I collaborate regularly with respected local therapists and area treatment facilities to ensure that my patients are able to make safe, sustainable progress toward better nourishment and ultimately achieve recovery for lifelong health. While some people are surprised to hear that I can counsel patients struggling with an eating disorder as well as patients wishing to better manage their weight, I believe that they all share a common path toward better wellness — a peaceful, balanced relationship with food, healthy body image, and the knowledge and tools to best nourish themselves for optimal health. With that focus at our core of every counseling session, better eating habits can be a powerful roadmap for anyone to achieve better health.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I want my patients’ lives to be healthier and all-around better because of their interactions and work with me.
Pricing:
- 175.00 for the initial nutrition session to get started
- 150.00 for each followup session
- Many insurance plans are also accepted, including Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Medicare and United Healthcare.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.NourishingNutritionConsulting.com
- Instagram: @LauraMarcheseRD
- Facebook: @NourishingNutritionConsulting
Image Credits
Story Haven Photography (all headshots)
Muldrow Marketing (interviewing photograph at desk)
