SNACKING IN SNEAKERS & BUILD A WELLNESS BLOG

for something nutrishus

I know of Chrissy from various dietitian facebook groups (she’s a Pinterest guru!) and she kindly let me pick her brain about passive income last year. She has found her niche and is a wealth of knowledge that I’ll circle back to if I ever choose to go the way of monetizing…

Why did you become a RD?

I think like many high schoolers, I struggled with my own health and nutrition habits. At one point, I’m pretty sure I was regularly ordering French fries and chocolate chip cookies to eat for lunch (which I certainly still eat occasionally today, but not daily for lunch anymore! 😉). I was able to start working at a gym and started exercising regularly later in high school, which propelled my own interest in nutrition and fitness.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Blogging and nutrition communications (along with a sprinkling of blog coaching & Pinterest management for fellow entrepreneurs).

How would you explain what you do?

At its core, what I do is simply creating helpful content. Obviously, I also find ways to monetize that content (via sponsored posts and brand work, affiliate marketing, advertising, etc). But really most of what I do is just making delicious recipes or free training plans that will help people eat something yummy or train for a race. And it’s pretty darn incredible that it’s my job.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

It varies SO much from day to day! But I’d say most weeks include:

· Content creation (for my main site + 4 others that I work on, along with freelance writing)

· Recipe testing and photography

· Working on sponsored brand activities, whether that’s for an upcoming blog post, planning for an upcoming event, or creating sponsored social shares

· Working on better optimizing revenue streams like affiliate marketing

· Doing keyword research for SEO for future posts

· Sharing out content, especially on Pinterest

· Managing a few Pinterest accounts for other entrepreneurs

· A few 1-1 chats, either for sports nutrition clients OR for other RDs looking for help with blogging

What has been your career path?

My career started in Extension, where I worked as a nutrition educator within Boston Public Schools and Head Start. I taught nutrition classes for preK-8th grade and loved it. After 6 years, I started to crave some variety though. I had tossed around the idea of starting on my own, and then when my apartment burned down in a fire – I thought “Life is short, let’s do it!”

My business originated in 2011, as a combination of corporate wellness, 1-1 counseling, and blogging. It took a while to really niche down and figure out what I liked. For several years I was running both the corporate wellness company as well as my blog, until I finally closed the corporate wellness company to focus specifically on blogging and nutrition communications. Now, that’s what I devote 100% of my energy to.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

My Master’s Degree is in Public Health. Many people think it’s off-topic from what I do now, but that program really helped me understand the general public’s perception on nutrition and helped teach me good writing skills. Both have served me well in my current endeavors.

I’ve also gone on to obtain my USAT Level I Triathlon Coach certification, which I feel lends additional credibility to many of my posts on run/tri training. (As well as my freelance writing work).

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

I’m hoping for two things:

1) more respect for the RD credential, including consumer understanding about the difference between RDs and nutritionists, and

2) that young RDs realize there are multiple career paths out there – not everyone needs to fit in the clinical box.

What do people think that you do for a living?

I would make a bomb private investigator.

What is your favourite meal?

I’m not sure I could choose a meal, but there is literally nothing better than a warm chocolate chip cookie straight outta the oven.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

That we all only eat salads and steamed broccoli and grilled chicken. I mean, I eat those things – but I love burgers, beers, and bacon too.

What tip(s) would you give to our readers?

There’s a saying that I have hanging in my office: “Wolves don’t lose sleep to the opinion of sheep.” If you go into online business, there are going to be trolls and haters out there. It’s essential that you let that roll off your shoulders, and focus on creating content for the people who DO value what you’re putting out there. Don’t waste your energy on the negativity.

More about Chrissy:

Website: www.snackinginsneakers.com

Blog: www.buildawellnessblog.com

Instagram: @chrissytherd

Pinterest: Chrissy Carroll | Food + Fitness Blogger and Dietitian

Thanks Chrissy!

Chrissy Carroll, MPH, RD, USAT Level I Triathlon Coach