As Glinda the Good Witch states in “The Wizard of Oz”, “It’s always best to start at the beginning — and all you do is follow the Yellow Brick Road.”  

So that is exactly where I’ll begin.

Auntie Em memorably advises Dorothy to find a place where there isn’t any trouble. After my first college experience, I was left wondering if there was such a place; a happy place, beyond the moon and beyond the rain, you know, somewhere over the rainbow.  After my decision to stop going to college, my life seemed to tornado out of control. I felt as helpless as Dorothy did being carried away to a place that I knew in my heart, wasn’t my home.  

Unknown to me at the time, that spiraling tornado was really the beginning of my very own journey.  A journey to my truest self.  Complacently, I worked six mornings a week lifeguarding at LA Fitness. Robotically, I taught swim lessons, water aerobics and trained clients for triathlons. Afternoons, I worked another job at the Personal Training Institute as an Administrative Assistant. I started nutrition counseling sessions for myself, with the Dietetic Technician on staff, named Charlene, and a tiny seed was planted beginning my growth into the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. Charlene became an invaluable mentor, changing the course of my life. She introduced me to a world of compassion, positivity and kindness. She guided me through some of my darkest days, and helped me reach my most personal goals.   As a dietetic professional, I hope to impact someone’s life as profoundly as she has mine.  

My beloved Uncle Stephen was diagnosed with leukemia soon after my decision to stop attending college. Though weak and sleepy, he SHINED as I spoke to him about Charlene and how I wanted to go back to school to become a Registered Dietitian. 

He responded meekly, “Love yourself and don’t let anything stop you. Also- don’t take anyone’s shit!” That’s just how he rolled.  We enjoyed a cherry Italian ice, the only thing he would eat in its entirety, and watched “The Wizard of Oz.”  I knew what I had to do.  In a single moment my life had changed forever. My first thought was: Love myself?  I didn’t know who I was, so how could I love myself?  

Gradually, the Dietetic Technician Program at Suffolk County Community College, the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at Queens College, and the people I met along my way, strengthened my self-confidence. Just as Dorothy’s was strengthened; with the help of friends.  And there I was finally finding a path across the poison poppy field that seemed to be encroaching on my life. And finally was on my way back down my Yellow Brick Road. 

Eventually, as I was changing schools, I decided to change jobs (as the one I was working at the gym was in the opposite direction of my school.) I started working at a florist (name shall remain nameless-no don’t DM me and ask I won’t tell you) and just after 1 short month I fell head over heels in love with the wedding industry.  But sadly, I got burned out after just six years. Now, it’s my mission to make sure that doesn’t happen to you! It’s why I created Sunshine Dietitian; nutrition made simple for wedding professionals.  The culmination of these experiences has bolstered my confidence and crystallized my goals and vision for the future.  I now know and love exactly who I am. 

Stay Tuned To Find Out Exactly Who that Is…

with sunshine, Amanda