Healthy Chicks

Morning friends! Hope you’re recovering from a fun-filled 4th of July weekend, but if you’re still struggling to get your groove back, try making these easy budget-friendly veggie burgers — made with pantry staples like sweet potatoes, black beans and rice. Trust me, they’re super easy with lots of nutrient-rich, plant-based ingredients to give your body a healthy boost.

Speaking of health, I’m so excited to bring to you this month’s spotlight on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness community. This month, we’re chatting with Health Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Maggie Dion of RejuvInnate Nutrition!

I love Maggie’s holistic approach on getting to the root cause of your health issues, which is so important in my opinion. Plus she’s a super fun gal who loves chocolate and kale…and that’s what life’s all about, am I right?

In this informative interview, we chat about alternative healing modalities, treating yourself to the things you love, and her morning “power block” to get grounded and set her up for success each day.

NAME:

Maggie Dion, FDN-P, HHC

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS/LINE OF WORK:

As an applied functional medicine practitioner and certified holistic health coach, I help clients dig into the root cause of symptoms, reverse dis-ease they were told required medication for life, and restore the vitality that is essential for doing the things they love in life. My one on one and group programs are centered on a combination of functional lab work and holistic lifestyle changes that are designed to reteach the body to do what it is supposed to do to allow clients to thrive.

My main focus is in supporting clients with imbalances pertaining to: – Digestion & Food Sensitivities – Hormones – Infertility – Adrenals & Energy – Weight Loss – Cardiovascular – Diabetes – Thyroid – Chronic Pain, Migraines and Headaches – Neurotransmitters.

WHERE YOU LIVE:

Mansfield, MA (right between Boston, MA and Providence, RI)

HOW YOU SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUR WORK:

One of my biggest missions is to educate people that there is an alternative to healing outside of traditional medicine. I shared in the frustrating experience of going to multiple doctors and specialists because you don’t feel well only to be told either “Your labs look good!” or “This is just part of getting older.” Rather than submitting to the idea that the symptoms and pain are your new normal, I want to empower people to continue to be advocates for their health.

Functional medicine is an approach to healing that not everyone is aware of. Sharing this knowledge is a means of providing hope and inspiration to push forward. I’m so appreciative of the functional practitioners who gave me support and guidance when I suffered from a long list of symptoms for seven years with few answers and nowhere to turn. I’m so lucky to be able to return the favor and help others.

NUMBER ONE PASSION OUTSIDE THE JOB:

My biggest passion outside of work and family is easily anything outside near water. Whether it’s hanging out at the beach, playing on a lake, or hiking by a river, I’m in!

INTENTIONS/GOALS YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 3 YEARS:

My intentions for the next three years is to find the best way to scale RejuvInnate Nutrition to maximize the number of people I can help and empower. I’m not sure if that means creating more group programs, diving deeper into corporate benefits programs, or developing a team to increase the number of one on one clients I can support. I’m open to any path that allows me to help others while still maintaining a healthy work life balance and growing family.

ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D TELL YOUR CHILDHOOD SELF:

When things feel tough, stressful or overwhelming, ask yourself if this experience is going to feel important in 10 years. The vast majority of the time, the answer is going to be no. So take a deep breath and try to take life a little less seriously. It’s far more enjoyable that way 🙂

FOODS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL ALIVE & BRING THE MOST JOY:

Literally any vegetable or fruit makes me feel alive! I can never have enough. I am pretty sure I’m one of a select few who had their mother tell them to slow down in eating fruits and veggies so she could save some for the rest of the family.

Despite my undying love for fruits and veggies, the food that brings me the most joy is actually chocolate. It’s the only treat I always have in the house. While I think many would be surprised by a health practitioner admitting this, it’s important to emphasize that I don’t eat 100% clean all the time. I give myself permission to indulge and have fun. No one is perfect and it’s unrealistic to strive for that. So I say enjoy your chocolate!

SONG THAT MOVES YOU:

“Oh” by Dave Matthew’s Band. The chorus goes “I love you oh so well, like a kid loves candy and fresh snow.” Thinking about that pure innocent love just gets me every time!

THREE FAB THINGS ABOUT YOU:

My innate desire to put others first, my tendency to try to see other people’s perspective, and my unwavering strong work ethic. The combination of these three traits is the backbone of everything I do, both personally and professionally. I wouldn’t be successful without them!

FAVORITE BODY PART & WHY:

I don’t think it is technically a body part, but my favorite is my voice. It is what allows me to follow my passion and help others every day. I’m so grateful for that!

I GET MY INSPIRATION FROM:

My biggest source of inspiration is from other people who live by the saying “A rising tide will lift all boats.” I’m a member of a number of women’s networking and leadership groups. Instead of a competitive group of cut throat entrepreneurs, it is incredible how supportive and willing to help everyone is. I have taken this lesson to heart and I’m always quick to share my experience or knowledge.

Whether it’s in drawing upon my background in marketing for small businesses or my current career in applied functional medicine, I’m always happy to help!

EXERCISE THAT MAKES YOU SHINE:

I actually love doing a little bit of everything to keep my body on its toes and to prevent myself from getting bored. Each week I do a mix of OrangeTheory classes, weight lifting, yoga, running, and bootcamp classes.

SOMETHING IN YOUR “WELLNESS TOOLBOX” YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:

My morning power block! In an effort to find balance in my life, I made the commitment to myself to start each day with mindfulness and self-care practices. I charge up with a mix of things, but most days start with a short meditation, reviewing my goal cards, and some type of movement, usually stretching or a brief yoga flow.

I’ll also mix in gratitude journaling, pulling a Spark Your Bliss card, breathing exercises, snugging with my dog Bailey, or simply sitting to enjoy a warm beverage in silence. Days where I have to skip charging up with my power block and setting the tone first thing, tend to be hectic and simply overwhelming. I feel so much better the entire day when I get to ease in with my morning mindfulness.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:

That would have to be transitioning from working in a corporate office to launching my own small business full time. For a while I was juggling working full time, seeing one on one clients and running group wellness programs. I was also planning a wedding at that time! It got to the point where I was doing an okay job at work and an okay job with my clients. I had to pick one.

I’m so glad I took the leap of faith. I work way harder and longer than I ever did before, but I love what I do and wouldn’t ever go back. It’s all worth it when you are pursuing your passion and helping others feel their best.

FEMALE LEADERS YOU LOOK UP TO:

Arianna Huffington, Melinda Gates, Michelle Obama, Uzo Aduba, and Reese Witherspoon. I love them for their commitment to helping others, making health a primary focus and not being persuaded by the crowd.

IF YOU COULD PICK ONE PERSON TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD IT BE & WHAT WOULD YOU MAKE THEM:

This is a tough one. I think I’d have to bend the rules and have dinner with both of my grandmothers.

My grandmother on my mother’s side had many lifelong friendships, a loving family, and a zest for life. Everyone reflected on her life and said “She really lived.” I would love to get her tips for how to truly enjoy what’s important in life. My grandmother on my father’s side passed 7 days after I was born. My whole life I have been told that I talk like her, tell stories like her, and share her mannerisms. It would be really cool to talk with her.

I’d make my grandmothers something Italian, mostly so my Italian grandmother on my mom’s side can give me tips to make the dish better. My husband watches too much MasterChef and it can feel like I’m cooking dinner for Gordan Ramsey each night. I could use all the help I can get to make my meals “Brilliant!”

GO-TO MANTRA OR INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE:

“I am strong and fully capable of healing.” I’m such a firm believer in the mind body connection. Especially during a health crisis, it is extremely important to flood your mind and body with positivity and create space for healing. While my major health struggles are behind me, I still like to remind my body that “We’ve got this!”

MESSAGE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER HEALTHY CHICKS:

You are too old to do things you don’t want to, especially if they don’t bring you joy! I want to empower you to prioritize what makes you happy and internalize the idea that no is a complete sentence. You should feel confident in using it!

Want more Healthy Chicks in the Community? Take a peek at past interviews here!