Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Cording

Hi Jessica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I was always interested in nutrition and health, as I grew up around sick family members and relatives who had bad relationships with food. However, I adored writing and hated chemistry class, so I followed a communications scholarship and got a BFA in writing and publishing.

After I graduated, I worked a few different jobs to pay the bills, including one as an office manager for an acupuncture practice. The experience of being in the healthcare office setting inspired me to go back to school to study nutrition. It was intense diving into science-focused coursework and the clinical internship that prepared me to sit for my licensing exam to become a registered dietitian, but I loved learning so much about the human body and the role of nutrition in optimizing wellbeing.

I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including long-term care, in-patient in a hospital, corporate wellness, outpatient clinics, and private practice. Media has been a part of the picture from the beginning. I’ve written a couple books, contributed to many outlets that cover health, done content creation and public-facing work with numerous food and lifestyle brands, and I run a podcast. I feel grateful that I get to do multiple things I’m passionate about.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I think challenges are inevitable, but it can help to reframe them as learning experiences. Of course there are those day-to-day challenges, but then there’s the deeper stuff. Being multi-passionate, as I learned the hard way, can quickly become a slippery slope to burnout.

And of course, being a human on this planet, I have gone through experiences of learning how to navigate working while going through immense heartbreak. For a long time, I just threw myself into work as a way to numb out but eventually was ready to acknowledge that that really only gets you so far when it comes to processing your pain.

I found it vitally important to work on my mindset and get honest with myself about how trauma and uncertainty were driving some of my overworking tendencies. At first it was hard to acknowledge how this held me back in some other areas of my life, but it has taught me a lot about who I am at my core and what I need to do to show up as the best version of myself in my work and personal life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

As a registered dietitian, I focus on the intersections between nutrition, lifestyle, and mental health. I’m also a certified health coach, Pilates mat instructor, and reiki practitioner, and I bring a little of everything to my work. I’m known for my “mind-body-spirit” approach to wellness. I work with individuals, corporations, and the media to share my passion for supporting long-term wellness through building sustainable healthy habits.

Media is a big focus of my work. I contribute to a variety of outlets and am the author of two books: The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress & Anxiety and The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver’s Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep. I’ve also run my podcast, Drama-Free Healthy Living, since 2019. I also have a lot of fun doing brand partnerships because it allows me to be creative and share things I’m excited about.

Public speaking is one of the things I love doing most, be it in person or virtual. Despite being an introvert, I’ve always been very comfortable presenting to a crowd, especially when it’s a topic I’m fired up about.

While I’ve worked with a wide variety of people throughout my career, I currently focus primarily on supporting women over 35, especially in the areas of navigating hormonal concerns (fertility, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and breast cancer treatment), sleep, stress management, brain health, and optimizing fitness.

People often tell me that they appreciate how relatable my content is and that what sets me apart is that I’m real and not afraid to talk about the raw human side of things while also bringing some humor and lightness.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?

Movement and mindfulness are two non-negotiables in my own wellbeing routine, so I have a few apps on my phone that help me be consistent with these practices no matter how hectic life may be. I gravitate towards strength training, barre, and core workouts, and some apps I have loved are Tone It Up, Studio Bloom, and Apple Fitness+, just to name a few.

Right now, I’m using the Apple Fitness and Insight Timer for meditations but I’ve also had great experiences with Headspace and Calm.

For productivity, I love tools like Canva and social media scheduling platforms and project management software. When I started delegating in my business instead of trying to do everything myself and having tools that enable me to share with my team have been so helpful.

I listen to a lot of podcasts, and one of my favorite business-related podcasts is James Wedmore’s Mind Your Business Podcast, which I was introduced to by a coach in 2017 or 2018. It really digs into the mindset side of entrepreneurship. I also love Jenna Kutcher’s The Goal Digger Podcast for actionable tips, and I also always look forward to Marie Forleo’s podcast. As a fellow Jersey girl, I love her attitude and energy.

This may not be a specific tool, so to speak, but I would encourage anyone to look up networking resources in their area or virtually. Networking has played a huge role in allowing me to grow and develop as a business owner and as a person. Follow what interests you and don’t think you have to stick to your industry. Some of the richest experiences I’ve had have involved connecting with others outside the nutrition and wellness world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicacordingnutrition.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesscording/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaCordingNutrition/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessCording
• Youtube: https://Youtube.com/@JessicaCordingNutrition
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drama-free-healthy-living-with-jess-cording/id1460384072 ; https://jessicacording.substack.com/

Image Credits

Headshot: Alyssa Peek ; Pilates / yoga shots: Karen Obrist; Book covers: Start Media ; podcast logo: Jess Cording