Meet the Team

Hello, I’m Rachel! I am a dietitian/nutrition coach and founder of Pro Lifestyle Nutrition.   While I enjoy the sweetest of treats (born with a major sweet tooth!), I believe that it is important to find a balance between healthy eating and indulging so that health & weight goals can be reached/maintained without feeling deprived.  I refer to this approach as "flexible eating": - flexible so that favorite foods and eating in general can be enjoyed without guilt.  That is a big part of my mission - to help people reach their goals while enjoying & appreciating food.  I personally started really appreciating food when I learned the connection between how our eating & lifestyle habits strongly affect our health & well-being.  I love being able to share my passion for how we can use food to heal, recover, nourish, energize, and FEEL GOOD from the inside out.

I believe (and can personally relate to the fact) that eating is much more then a physical act – it’s very psychological and we don't always eat because we're hungry.  That's just how the human brain is wired.  Whether stressed at work, feeling sad, celebrating a birthday, or just plain bored, how we feel and what is going on in our life/environment may trigger certain eating behaviors and choices.  Learning and practicing strategies to help manage and cope with emotions is a big key to reaching and mainlining health goals.  It takes much more then simply knowing or being told what to eat or what to do.  I love helping individuals develop strategies and goals to accomplish healthier lifestyle behaviors that lead to RESULTS.  . 

While my philosophy involves a flexible eating approach, emphasizing whole foods, and addressing the psychological piece of eating, I am also dedicated to providing personalized nutrition.

Why personalize nutrition?

So many diets and food claims promote a one size fits all approach.  I believe in the opposite and that one size fits one as every person and everyBODY is unique.  I founded Pro Lifestyle Nutrition so that I could help individuals reach their personal wellness goals by finding what behaviors/strategies work best for them.   

Over the past 10 years I have been privileged to work with hundreds of individuals, one-on-one and within group settings, to help them improve their health and form lifestyle behaviors that lead to sustainable results.  When working towards a weight or health goal it is important to develop individual strategies that involve delicious, quick meals, flexible eating, realistic lifestyle changes/tweaks, and a “progress, not perfection” mindset.  I love being able to cheer my clients on every step of the way.  I am here to provide on-going support, accountability, and motivation which are all key ingredients to forming and working on healthy habits.

Educational background: 

I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition & Food Science from Drexel University, in Philadelphia, PA.  I was lucky to have found my passion in nutrition and helping people improve their health through a holistic approach, which led me to complete a Master’s Degree in Nutrition & Wellness and dietetic internship from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL

I believe the most important catalyst to change is to enable people to feel empowered so that they can make a difference in their lives and that they recognize that small changes often lead to big results in the long run. I believe that this philosophy will enable people to say at the end of it all, not that they were the “Biggest Loser” but instead the “Biggest Winner”. I believe it is important to look at all aspects and measurements of health and not just a number on a scale. Most important is my belief in people as a whole. I feel that all individuals are capable of so much, but sometimes simply need some guidance, support and little reminders along the way.

I have a dual background, starting out in the Social Work field, working as a Coordinator for a homeless shelter, catering to teenage moms. It is here where I first encouraged people to value themselves and recognize their worth and capabilities. After serving in this capacity for over 6 years, I decided to branch out in another direction, incorporating my training in the nutrition and dietetics field.

Today, while healthy eating and weight loss is my primary focus, I believe without the ability to appreciate, understand and establish rapport with individuals, a climate of change and general well-being will be more difficult to attain. In the process of coming up with a healthy eating and living plan, people need to be understood and valued for the uniqueness they possess!

Educational Background:

I graduated from Suny Albany with a degree in Psychology and following that, went to graduate school at Yeshiva University where I earned a Master's degree in Social Work. After practicing as a social worker for several years, mainly in a homeless shelter, I went back to school at West Chester University, where I obtained a degree in nutrition and dietetics. I then did an internship with Sodexo, which was mainly based in a hospital, where I did all aspects of clinical care and intervention.

Hello! My name is Jessica and I’m the Support Specialist at Pro Lifestyle Nutrition. I assist with client communication, community and corporate outreach, marketing, and administrative tasks.

When I’m not working… 

You can find me at the gym! I love lifting weights, participating in indoor cycling classes, and relaxing with some yoga.  I enjoy being in the kitchen trying new recipes that are easy and quick for our busy family.   Fueling our bodies with the best nutrition is important to me. In my free time you can also find me hunting for treasures at a local yard sale!  I love finding “diamonds in the rough” and repurposing their use – bringing their value back to life.  I love spending time with my husband and two kids enjoying summertime adventures and activities!  My son is usually busy with baseball or basketball while my daughter has fun at her dance and gymnastics classes.  Our favorite family vacation was to The Great Smoky Mountains and Dollywood in the summer of 2022!  

Educational Background

I am a Philadelphia native and  earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration from LaSalle University.  Upon graduation, I worked in public accounting for about ten years.  It was a rewarding experience that allowed me to see how Fortune 500 companies operated.  However, I knew that this wasn’t the career that I desired long-term.  That’s when I pursued my master’s degree in education from Holy Family University, which opened me up to the world of teaching and education. I’ve taught in several area colleges and universities including Gwynedd Mercy University and I still substitute teach when time allows.  I love educating and serving others and I’m grateful to be here at Pro Lifestyle Nutrition. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you navigate through our personalized services!