energy and stress levels, time management, balance, and
other factors that contribute to a healthful lifestyle. We care
about long-term results, not short-term fad diet promises.
We get [people from] all walks of life, so we do not offer a
one-size-fits-all program. We do a little bit of everything—
[high-intensity interval training], agility training, balance focus,
core stability, and even body building–style training.
TD: What tends to be your clients’ biggest nutrition challenge?
White: A lot of clients that first come in say that they know what
to eat, they just don’t do it. But they do like to work out and get
in a sweat session. This can make it challenging to our RDN
team, as they often value fitness over nutrition, but we know
that nutrition is 80% of the game. This is why we make it man-
datory to meet with an RDN to show them all of the techniques
that we have learned in order to help them meet their goals.
TD: Did you always anticipate starting your own business?
White: Yes, even when I was younger, I was an entrepreneur
at heart. In grade school, I used to collect baseball cards
and stamps and I had my own little business. I can remem-
ber going to card and coin shows and walking out with a wad
of cash. I would negotiate with adults—and be good at it. But
I had a “C” grade average in high school. I have read that the
structure of high school isn’t always the right fit for entre-
preneurs. In college, where I had the opportunity to pursue
my passion in dietetics, I graduated summa cum laude. Col-
lege gave me the freedom to pursue my dream, and I had
big plans for that dream. Of course, everyone says you need
money or to know someone to start your own business,
and I’m proof that isn’t true. I used my college education,
the $400 in my pocket, and my dream of opening a fitness
studio to get it all started. I hit the ground running, and here
I am—18 years later.
TD: Is this where you envisioned it all going?
White: Surprisingly, yes, I dreamed big—even though not
everyone believed in me. I wrote a paper in college on the topic
of “where will you be in 10 years?” and I still have it today. I had
gotten a “C” and my professor had told me I was too much of
a dreamer. But I never let my dream go away based on other
peoples’ opinions. What’s amazing about that career paper is
that everything I wrote down, is where I’m at now.
TD: What’s your greatest accomplishment?
White: Being able to help people has been my greatest
accomplishment. Over the years, we have helped thousands
of people to lose thousands of pounds, gotten people off of
medications, and helped them prevent or battle disease.
As dietitians, we are the first line of defense. We also have
the privilege of working with clients for a lengthy period of
time. I have seen studies that show the average doctor has
13 minutes with clients, but we have hours. I never take that
for granted. Even so, I wanted to do something off the clock,
which is where the nonprofit [Lift Fitness Foundation] was
born. It grew organically. We had homeless people that were
joining the outdoor boot camp classes that we were holding,
and I recognized that there was a need there.TD: What does Lift Fitness Foundation do?
White: It’s a 60-day exercise and nutrition program for
homeless [individuals], battered women, and troubled youth
in the Virginia Beach area. We do all of our training on loca-
tion at various agencies (such as the Salvation Army or Union
Mission). Seeing the transformation of men and women
coming off of the street and with all the odds stacked against
them has been so inspiring. Many are tired, depressed, or
even have disease, but it’s amazing to see what exercise
and nutrition can do. It’s been good for the soul, too. They
aren’t getting a lot of love or compassion anywhere else, but
they’re getting it here.TD: How do you balance it all?
White: I have an amazing team who helps me—because we
all share the passion. We have general managers, lead dieti-
tians, and lead trainers who can take charge, and I have to
let them. I can’t do it all. I say no to the good to be able to say
yes to the great. Early on, I said yes to everything. Now, I’m
super selective. If it’s not feeding my passion, I don’t do it. I
also really focus on balance. I always take Sundays off and
make sure that I have lots of family time as well as time with
God, spreading the love of Jesus—which is an important part
of my mission. Now that I have a wife and children, I often
ask myself, “What is the use of having your dream job if your
family suffers for it?” So, I focus on balance. It’s important to
take time off to relax and enjoy the fruit of your work. That’s
what keeps me going.— Lindsey Getz is an award-winning freelance writer
based in Royersford, Pennsylvania.august 2019 http://www.todaysdietitian.com 53