Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dolapo Balogun. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dolapo, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents are my biggest role-models. I don’t know anything else but entrepreneurship thanks to them. My father created a cargo business based out of New Jersey that ships goods to Nigeria and West Africa, while my mother and her mom own fashion boutiques in Nigeria and New Jersey that sell different African textiles and laces that are traditionally worn at special events. Their drive and commitment to excellence is what inspired me from day 1. I don’t know how to quit, I don’t know how to not take action, and most importantly, I don’t know how to take no for an answer. They’ve supported all of my crazy entrepreneurial ideas; when I was younger, I would alway created businesses such as “Dolapo’s Bed and Breakfast” or “Dolapo’s Laundromat” where my parents were my only customers. They’ve always believed in me and supported me, and I’m so blessed to have parents like that.

Dolapo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In 2022, I launched my private practice, Prioritea Nutrition! I started it shortly after passing my board exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and haven’t looked back – it’s my dream for this to grow and be my full time job.

In this day and age, there are so many determinants to health and I did not want to be a professional in the field that contributes to that. I want people of every walk of life to have access to the health care and support that they need. As a woman of color, there are many aspects of who I am that group me in different social categories such as my gender, race, and class. There are many social constructs that fail to recognize our overlapping characteristics, that, in turn, contribute to systemic discrimination and disadvantages. I wanted to become a practitioner that values intersectionality, culture, beliefs, and lifestyle, and I want to meet everyone there at the center with tailored nutrition education. With an Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size philosophy, I want everyone to see that all foods fit.

Next, many of us fail to realize that proper nutrition is proper self-care, and we are all deserving of it. But self-care looks different to each and every one of us because food looks different to each and every one of us (due to religion, nationality, and economic resources)! Proper nutrition is a principal; it’s understanding how food is here to nourish our bodies, and working with what you have. Our bodies do so much for us and love us so much! Taking care of them with nourishing food, movement, and activities is a love letter to them that they’re so deserving of. I wanted to bridge the learning and action together. Sessions are more than education; they’re an opportunity to set time out of your day to do an act of self-care to contribute to your wellbeing.

Finally, being raised by immigrant parents taught me the value of education. Education should be accessible, and education about how to live a healthier, better life should be available to everyone. When you know better, you’ll do better. But sometimes in life, when you don’t know better, it’s not that you won’t do better, but it’s that you can’t do better. A certain level of access to knowledge should be a given in this country, and I want to contribute to the enrichment of your mind, and wallet.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve seen many dietitians in the field who are scared to launch their online business, and I could never understand why! Going through the journey to becoming credentialed, I was always told the lie that you had to start working for someone else or start in the clinical setting, and that truly scared me. I knew I didn’t want to work in a hospital setting, and I knew that I wanted to run my own business so that I could show up exactly how I am. In certain settings, there is so much that is off-limits, such as religion, socioeconomic status, sexuality, etc., yet these are beautiful aspects of intersectionality that contributes to one’s health and wellness. I knew that if I wanted to make an impact the way that I always dreamed of, it would only happen in my own business. My parents always taught me to go after my dreams and visions – God wouldn’t give them to me if I didn’t have the power to bring it into fruition!

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I genuinely would stay in the health and wellness space if I could do it all over again. People deserve access to knowledge that will change their lives forever. I’ve also been able to learn so much for myself, and help those closest to me. I’ve always wanted to be a pediatrician growing up, but I couldn’t stand the sight of blood. Then a guidance counselor told me that dietetics was a real thing, and I never looked back. Food is central to our lives and so it only made sense to learn more about something that’s never ever going away!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://prioriteanutrition.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heytheredolapo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriambalogun/
• Other: www.itsmedil.com/blog https://www.amazon.com/Porch-20-Somethings-Authentic-Relationship-Self-Love/dp/B0BCNRBV9C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3177YUS4KH1UA&keywords=the+porch+a+20-something+guide+to+an+authentic&qid=1678729423&rnid=2941120011&s=books&sprefix=%2Caps%2C241&sr=1-1