My Story

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for food. Growing up in a Latin household, food served as an extension of our culture. This was translated into much of my childhood being spent watching and helping my parents and brothers cook, fascinated by the process and results.

Even though I had established a love and high regard for food, I did not respect or understand the true value of it. By the time I reached my early twenties, I was overweight and suffered from hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, and low self-esteem. When I took my first Nutrition course in college I learned healthy eating habits and changed my lifestyle. Subsequently, my respect for food and its purpose in the body completely changed. It was then that I realized the power of food, understanding its value and purpose, while respecting the potential for misuse. This was the catalyst that started my journey of a complete health and lifestyle transformation, and it is through this journey, in addition to my education, professional experience, and via a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist that I want to motivate and empower others to live a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition.

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was exposed to a diverse group of cultures and ethnicities while being immersed into the world of technology and Silicon Valley. My parents provided a learning-rich environment and, when introduced to the sciences, I was immediately intrigued by the workings of the human body. Much of my childhood I was convinced I would grow up to become a doctor. My interest in medicine grew greater when my grandfather lost his battle with stomach cancer just before my tenth birthday. It wasn’t until later that I would question the connection between cancer and diet and lifestyle, but it reaffirmed my interest in health. At the age of 15 I took a job as a lifeguard, which was the closest I could get to finding work in the healthcare field at that young age. Soon after, my passion for food prevailed and I started what would be over 10 years working in the food service industry. Starting off as a cashier, I worked my way up to manager, and eventually held jobs in kitchens and a grocery store. It was during this time that I learned how to manage back of house operations such as purchasing, ordering, hiring, training, vendor relations, and marketing, while also gaining valuable experience in cooking methods, preparation, and proper food handling. In addition to back of house experience, working in so many customer service-oriented positions has also given me experience interacting with diverse groups of people.

Taking my first nutrition course in college gave me a different outlook on food as fuel, and I realized I could combine my love for and experience in the food service and health care industry to help myself and others. This class gave me the tools to change my lifestyle and I was inspired to go farther. I had recently taken up running as a sport, but had never completed a long distance event before. I decided to challenge myself and registered for a half-marathon. Armed with the basic understanding of what my body needed, I assessed my eating habits and lifestyle. With an insatiable appetite for new nutritional information, I developed a training plan and diet that would allow me to successfully reach my goal. During this training process I learned the commitment and dedication it takes to create lasting positive lifestyle and dietary habits, giving me empathy for others trying to achieve similar goals. If food had the power to change me physically and mentally, what other powers did it have?

Much like my marathon experience, my education has tested my commitment and dedication to nutrition and dietetics as a profession. Enrolling in my first distance learning Nutrition program in 2010, I was unaware that this program would not allow me to work as a clinical nutritionist. Post-graduation I was unable to find work in my field, so I knew I had to continue my education in order to follow my dream. I decided to enroll in a distance Didactic Program in Dietetics and have significantly increased my exposure in the nutrition field. During this time I was able to gain experience counseling outpatient groups, conducting dietary recalls, educating senior citizens on bone health via workshops, and developing educational materials on healthy eating habits, diabetes, and bariatric surgery. Maintaining a full time job during completion of two degrees, while showcasing my commitment to learning, also exposed my tendency to take on too much at times. This tendency challenged me to learn skills in time management and balancing multiple projects, while maintaining a positive attitude under pressure. These experiences, in addition to my deep-rooted passion for food and health, have given me a solid foundation to succeed in a Dietetic Internship.

Thinking of my grandfather and the connection and prevalence of diet and cancers of the GI tract initially inspired me to enter the health field. My passion for food, cooking and dedication to health and nutrition, along with my personal journey, has drawn me to seek a position as a Dietetic Intern. Completing this program would polish my education and experience, allowing me to work successfully as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. San Francisco, a city unlike any other, has such diversity that it creates a unique and thriving learning environment. Bon Appetit named the city the Number One for Food in 2015, and this is, in my opinion, due to the constant and inevitable interaction and developments between diverse communities. The city’s culture and love for food, in addition to its passion for sustainability, innovation, and science, create a solid foundation for learning Dietetics. This experience would be the ultimate culmination of my formal education on my path to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

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