EP.372: Start Before You're Ready

If you find yourself stuck in endless research mode, watching YouTube videos about starting a nutrition practice while your actual practice remains an idea, you're not alone. So many dietitians tell me they need to know exactly how everything will unfold before they take their first step. They're spending months creating business plans for practices that don't exist yet, researching software for clients they don't have, and perfecting websites for services they've never delivered. Maybe you've been telling yourself you need a perfect business plan, the ideal website, or complete certainty about your niche before you can start working with clients. The perfectionist in you wants guarantees, and knowledge feels safe. But here's the uncomfortable truth: all that research and planning is just procrastination in a business suit. It feels productive, but it's not moving you forward. It's keeping you exactly where you are, just with more information. What if I told you that needing to know the full "how" is actually what's keeping you stuck? What if the less you knew about how everything would unfold, the better off you'd actually be? Today, I'm going to challenge everything you think you know about preparation and show you why starting before you're ready isn't just okay; it's your competitive advantage.     WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm sharing why the less you know about HOW to build your practice, the better off you'll be. This is for ambitious dietitians who are stuck in planning mode but ready to create real results through imperfect action.   Why "needing to know how" is really fear disguised as preparation How over-researching becomes a form of procrastination that keeps you stuck The success pattern every thriving dietitian follows (hint: they all started before they felt ready) Why clarity comes through action, not through thinking or planning How to practice "strategic unknowing" – focusing on what matters now vs. solving for every scenario The minimum viable action approach that creates momentum without overwhelm How to identify your next right step when you can't see the whole staircase   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 09: Personal Responsibility Episode 361: The 5-Figure Private Practice Blueprint: Your First Year Gameplan   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co   Your Next Steps: Step 1: Take One Imperfect Action Identify one thing you can do this week without needing to know the full "how" – maybe it's posting about your services or having one conversation with a potential client. Step 2: Join The Community Connect with other dietitians who are choosing action over endless planning in our free Facebook group, The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community. Step 3: Stop Over-Researching If you're tired of staying stuck in planning mode and ready to create real results, explore working with Christine privately at manipuracentre.co/booking.    

You know that feeling when you wake up and your first thought isn't about your day, your dreams, or even your coffee, but instead it's about who needs what from you today? Your partner needs you to handle that thing they've been putting off. Your kids need you to solve their problems before they even head off to school. Your clients need responses to emails that came in overnight. Your team needs decisions. Your parents need check-ins. And somewhere in the back of your mind, there's this tiny voice asking, "But what about what I need?" And you push it down because there's no time for that right now. Too many people are depending on you. Too many responsibilities that can't wait. But what if we've got this completely backwards? What if the most generous, loving, impactful thing you could do for everyone in your life is to make your own life your number one priority?     WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm sharing why YOU’RE number one in your life (and why you need to start acting like it) so you can stop drowning in everyone else's needs and start creating the life you're meant to live.   Why we were conditioned to believe good women put everyone else first (and why that's killing us) The real cost of managing everyone else's life while yours is on pause How the "oxygen mask principle" goes deeper than you think Why your children need to see you prioritize yourself (not just hear you talk about it) The three questions to ask before saying yes to any request How to create non-negotiable time for yourself without guilt Why guilt is actually proof you're doing something different (not wrong) How to communicate this shift to your family and clients Christine's Personal Story: How her ex-husband's advice to their sons,  "You're number one," became the inspiration for this episode, and why every woman needs to hear that same message.   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 09: Personal Responsibility Episode 349: What I’ve Learned About Success, Self-Worth, and Starting Over at 55   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Take This Week’s Challenge Identify one area where you've been putting everyone else's needs before your own and flip that script for the next seven days. Make it non-negotiable, like an emergency. Step 2: Notice What Happens Send me a message about what you're taking away from this pause. What resonated? What season are you honoring right now? Step 3: Share This MessageIf this episode resonated with you, share it with another woman who needs to hear that her life matters, too. She needs this tough love conversation and the reminder that she's number one.    

After 370 episodes of this podcast, I'm sharing what I've learned about building a business that honors both your ambitions and your humanity. Sometimes the most aligned thing you can do is pause, reflect, and show up honestly instead of perfectly. Today's episode isn't about strategy or tactics, it's about the real journey of creating work that serves your life, even when that means admitting you need a nap at 2 PM.     WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Why showing up honestly beats showing up perfectly every time How rest and reflection are actually business strategies, not obstacles to success The real transformation that happens over 370 episodes (hint: it's not what you think) Why honoring your current season might be more important than your next big strategy What it looks like to build a business that truly serves your life, tiredness, and all   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 48: The Power of the Pause Episode 324: Why External Actions Don’t Always Lead To Sustainable Results   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Honor Where You Are What season are you in right now? Building? Pausing? Integrating? There's no wrong answer — just honest awareness. Step 2: Share Your Reflection Send me a message about what you're taking away from this pause. What resonated? What season are you honoring right now? Step 3: Join the CommunityConnect with dietitians who understand the unique challenges of building a business in our profession in the Make More Money as a Dietitian Facebook Community.    

Your nutrition clients always think they just need a meal plan, but you know the real work goes so much deeper. They need to address their sleep, stress, relationship with food, and maybe some family boundary issues. The meal plan is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. The same thing happens with your business. You think you need a marketing strategy - a better funnel, a new social media approach, maybe some sales training. But what you actually need is to address the life circumstances and limiting beliefs that are sabotaging your success behind the scenes. Here's the truth I've learned after working with dozens of dietitians: You cannot strategy your way out of life chaos. When your foundation is shaky - when you're emotionally depleted, operating from survival mode, or battling beliefs that you're not worth premium prices - no marketing tactic in the world will fix that.   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm breaking down why so many brilliant dietitians are spinning their wheels in business, and it has nothing to do with needing another strategy. This is for dietitians who are tired of working harder but not seeing results, who know they're capable of more but feel stuck in patterns that aren't serving them. Here’s the breakdown:  Why traditional business coaching fails dietitians (and what's actually missing from most programs) The hidden "life circumstances" that sabotage business success - even when you have great strategies How limiting beliefs about your worth directly impact your pricing, client attraction, and growth potential The "emotional labor load" that's draining your business energy (and why no one talks about this) My Foundation-First Approach: the four steps to build a business that works WITH your life instead of against it Real examples of how addressing these deeper issues transforms businesses immediately Three powerful questions to identify what's really holding your business back   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 335: The Evolution of a Dietitian: Embracing Your Business Identity Episode 324: Why External Actions Don’t Always Lead To Sustainable Results   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Do the Foundation Assessment Ask yourself these three questions from the episode: What life circumstances are currently working against my business success? What limiting belief is costing me the most money? If I could only fix one thing to support my business growth, what would it be? Step 2: Get the Support You Need Ready to stop flailing forward and start addressing what's really holding you back? Book an A la Carte Coaching Session where we get to the root of what's keeping you stuck and create the bridge between where you are and where you belong. Just $197 per session - book one or several based on your needs. Step 3: Join the CommunityConnect with dietitians who understand the unique challenges of building a business in our profession in the Make More Money as a Dietitian Facebook Community.    

You're doing everything "right" in your business, but still struggling to get where you want to be. You've bought the courses, hired the coaches, followed the frameworks to a T—and you're STILL not seeing the results everyone promised you'd get. Maybe you've even started wondering what's wrong with you, why everyone else seems to "get it" while you're stuck spinning your wheels. Here's what I've learned after working with hundreds of amazing dietitians: You're not failing at business. Business coaching is failing you by treating you like a machine instead of honoring who you are.  If you've ever felt like you're swimming upstream in your own business, wearing a costume that doesn't fit, or forcing yourself into someone else's mold, this episode is going to give you the permission you didn't know you needed.   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm breaking down why traditional business coaching often fails sensitive, value-driven dietitians and how to build a business that truly honors who you are, so you can stop fighting against your nature and start leveraging it as your biggest advantage. Here’s the breakdown:  Why building someone else's version of success will always feel like swimming upstream The specific ways traditional business advice fails dietitians (and what to do instead) How to recognize when you're trying to fit into the wrong framework The permission you need to build a business that serves your life, not consumes it   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 343: Creating a Flow-Based Practice Episode 338: Breaking Up With ‘Should’ - Moving Past Professional Identity Limits   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Stop Fixing Yourself You're not broken. You're just trying to fit into the wrong framework. Join our community of dietitians who are building businesses that honor who they actually are. Step 2: Honor Your Sense of Discernment Ask yourself: What has my intuition been telling me about my career and how I am uniquely wired to practice nutrition? Write it down. Don't overthink it. Just acknowledge it. Step 3: Build DifferentlyIf you're tired of forcing yourself into someone else's business model, explore working with me by booking a strategy session at manipuracentre.co/booking. Let's explore how your unique gifts can transform your RD career.    

You're frantically preparing for client sessions again, convinced you need the perfect protocol and flawless notes to be "ready." I get it—so many dietitians tell me they feel unprepared, like they need everything mapped out perfectly before they can show up confidently for their clients. But here's what I know after working with hundreds of nutrition professionals: you're already more prepared than you think. That feeling of "I need to have it all figured out" is actually keeping you from accessing your greatest asset, your inner wisdom and professional intuition. What if I told you that your best client sessions might happen when you trust yourself enough to let go of the script and tap into what you already know?   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this raw, unscripted episode, I'm sharing why trusting your inner wisdom as a dietitian changes everything, from how you show up with clients to how fulfilled you feel in your career. This is for experienced nutrition professionals who are tired of over-preparing and ready to step into the confidence that comes from trusting their expertise. Here’s the breakdown:  Why over-preparing for client sessions might be holding you back from your best work How to distinguish between evidence-based practice and trusting your professional intuition (spoiler: you need both) The connection between teaching intuitive eating and trusting your career intuition Why seeing yourself as a healer, not just a nutrition expert, transforms your entire practice How the nutrition profession is evolving and why your unique gifts matter more than ever What it means to honor your inner wisdom in your career decisions Why business as usual won't work in 2025 and beyond   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 229: Becoming a Visionary Episode 168: Your Inner Glass Ceiling   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Trust Yourself This Week Choose one client interaction where you'll trust your expertise instead of over-preparing. Notice what happens when you show up from confidence rather than fear. Step 2: Honor Your Inner Wisdom Ask yourself: What has my intuition been telling me about my career that I've been afraid to act on? Write it down. Don't judge it. Just acknowledge it. Step 3: Do The Inner Work If you're tired of feeling like you need to have everything perfect and ready to trust your expertise, book a strategy session at manipuracentre.co/booking. Let's explore how your unique gifts can transform your practice.    

Ever look at your successful practice and think, "This should be enough"? You have everything you thought you wanted: steady clients, professional recognition, maybe even the financial stability you once dreamed of. But there's a persistent feeling that something's missing, a voice inside saying, "There has to be more than this." Maybe you find yourself going through the motions of your workday, checking off tasks that used to excite you but now feel routine. Or perhaps you catch yourself daydreaming about what else you could be doing with your expertise, your time, your one precious life. That restlessness isn't a sign that something's wrong with you. It's your inner wisdom recognizing that you've evolved beyond the goals you set years ago, and it's time to honor that growth. You're not alone in this struggle, and you're definitely not ungrateful for wanting more. What you're experiencing happens when the achievements that were supposed to fulfill you start feeling disconnected from who you've become. The high achiever's dilemma isn't about wanting too much; it's about recognizing that you've outgrown the container you created and now it's time to build something that actually fits who you are today.   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm sharing why successful dietitians often feel stuck and unfulfilled despite achieving their professional goals, so you can understand the difference between external success and internal alignment. This is for high-achieving nutrition professionals who have built something real but find themselves wondering if this is really what they worked so hard for. Here’s the breakdown:  Why traditional markers of success can become their own kind of mental bondage The hidden cost of being the "go-to" dietitian and maintaining professional expectations How your current success was built on who you were, not who you've become The real reason you feel stuck (hint: it's not about strategy or tactics) The three pillars of aligned success that honor both your achievements and your evolution Practical first steps to start realigning your practice with your current values and priorities Permission to want more than "successful on paper" without guilt or apology   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 320: The New 9 to 5 Episode 322: Reinvention   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Join the Community Connect with other dietitians transforming their careers in our free Facebook group, The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community Step 2: Get Weekly Insights Sign up for the Manipura Centre Saturday Newsletter for mindset tips and business strategies specifically for experienced RDs at manipuracentre.co Step 3: Start To Love Your Work AgainIf you're tired of going through the motions and ready to create work that actually excites you again, explore how we can work together at manipuracentre.co/booking    

Ever find yourself scrolling LinkedIn and seeing yet another post from a seasoned RD talking about financial struggles? You know the ones - "After 20 years in clinical nutrition, I'm still living paycheck to paycheck." Your heart sinks because you recognize yourself in their words. You may be that experienced RD, sitting there with multiple certifications, decades of knowledge, and a resume that should command respect and premium salary. Instead, you're making marginally more than the new grad who just started last month. You're handling the complex cases, training the newbies, and essentially functioning as the department's unofficial consultant - all while struggling to pay your bills comfortably. If this feels even remotely familiar, you've likely fallen into what I call the experience trap. It's the cruel irony of our profession where your years of wisdom become expected rather than valued, where your expertise gets you more responsibility but not more money, and where "paying your dues" somehow extends into your third decade of practice.   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm sharing why your years of experience aren't translating to the income you deserve and exactly how to address the issue. This is for seasoned RDs who are emotionally exhausted and financially stuck despite decades of expertise, but who are ready to get paid what they're worth finally. Here’s the breakdown:  Why traditional healthcare settings actually penalize you for having experience The "experience trap" that keeps seasoned professionals undervalued and underpaid How your decades of wisdom have become invisible in your current role Why "superhuman emotional labor for grocery money" is not a sustainable career model The crucial mindset shift from employee thinking to consultant thinking How to package 20+ years of expertise into premium offerings Practical first steps to start valuing your compound expertise appropriately Why gratitude and ambition aren't mutually exclusive (and why you need both)   RESOURCES & LINKS Related Episodes: Episode 329: Breaking Free From The “I’m Not Here For The Money” Mindset in Dietetics Episode 322: Reinvention   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Join the Community Connect with other dietitians transforming their careers in our free Facebook group, The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community Step 2: Get Weekly Insights Sign up for the Manipura Centre Saturday Newsletter for mindset tips and business strategies specifically for experienced RDs at manipuracentre.co Step 3: Start Your Next ChapterIf you're an experienced RD ready to transition from undervalued employee to highly-compensated expert, explore the private coaching session options with Christine at manipuracentre.co/booking    

Many dietitians tell me they started their businesses dreaming of freedom and flexibility, only to find themselves working more hours than ever, being available on nights and weekends, and constantly feeling behind. Maybe you've been telling yourself that working evenings and weekends is just "what it takes" to build a successful practice. That being available 24/7 is what makes you professional. That packing your schedule full is the only way to make decent money. But what if all of that is just programming from a system that was never designed to support you in the first place?   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm sharing how to build a freedom-based business model that allows you to design your dream schedule without sacrificing professionalism or profitability. This is for ambitious dietitians who are tired of working more hours than they did in clinical and are ready to build a business that supports the life they want to live. Here’s the breakdown:  Why traditional "professional" scheduling keeps you small and exhausted The three pillars of a freedom-based business model that increase profitability How to do the Dream Schedule Exercise to map your ideal work week Energy alignment strategies that help you work fewer hours while making more money Client communication scripts for confidently setting schedule boundaries How to handle pushback when people expect you to be available 24/7 Why your dream schedule isn't a luxury, it's a business necessity The ripple effect of modeling healthy boundaries for your clients   RESOURCES & LINKS Free Resource: The Private Practice Foundations Blueprint  Related Episodes: Episode 326: Finding Joy & Fulfillment in Your Career (even when you’re feeling stuck) Episode 296: Time, Energy, and Money   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co   Your Next Steps: Step 1: Take the Energy Audit Challenge Track your energy levels every two hours for one week, then compare it to your current schedule to see where you're wasting your peak energy on low-value tasks. Step 2: Get Coached Explore working with Christine directly through 1:1 coaching to transform your relationship with your professional identity at manipuracentre.co/booking Step 3: Join the CommunityConnect with other dietitians transforming their careers in our free Facebook group, The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community    

You're stuck in the endless loop of "I'm not ready yet." You keep adding certifications, reading more books, and waiting for that magical moment when you'll finally feel confident enough to start your practice or raise your rates. Here's the thing nobody tells you about that confidence you're waiting for: it's not coming. At least not in the way you think it will. Because confidence isn't something you acquire and then use - it's something you build through action. But there's something even more powerful than confidence that successful dietitians use to navigate uncertainty, connect with clients, and build thriving practices. What if the very thing you think is holding you back, not knowing enough, not feeling ready, is actually your greatest business asset? What if curiosity, not confidence, is the secret weapon that transforms fear into freedom and doubt into discovery?   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE In this episode, I'm sharing why curiosity beats confidence every time when it comes to building a successful nutrition practice. This is for dietitians who are tired of waiting to feel "ready" and want to start taking action from a place of genuine engagement rather than manufactured confidence.  Here’s the breakdown:  Why the confidence trap keeps you stuck in analysis paralysis and how to break free The neuroscience behind why curiosity and fear can't coexist (and how to use this to your advantage) How leading with curiosity makes you magnetic to ideal clients instead of trying to prove your expertise Three specific practices to cultivate curiosity in your business and client interactions Why curious dietitians naturally develop authentic confidence that doesn't depend on knowing all the answers The ripple effect of curiosity on your pricing, boundaries, and client attraction   RESOURCES & LINKS Free Resource: The Private Practice Foundations Blueprint  Related Episodes: Episode 205: Curiosity Episode 223: Resiliency   CONNECT & TAKE ACTION Find Christine: Email: [email protected] Podcast: Make More Money as a Dietitian on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Community: Join 1200+ dietitians in The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community  Instagram: @money.mindset.dietitian Website: manipuracentre.co Your Next Steps: Step 1: Get Curious & Take Action Pick one area where you've been waiting for confidence and ask: "What would I try if I were curious instead of scared?" Step 2: Get Coached Explore working with Christine directly through 1:1 coaching to transform your relationship with your professional identity at manipuracentre.co/booking Step 3: Join the CommunityConnect with other dietitians transforming their careers in our free Facebook group, The Make More Money as a Dietitian Community