speaking engagements
Most people would rather swim with sharks than publicly speak, but I love to dive right in!
When I step onto the stage to give a talk, I see it as an opportunity to connect a group people who may not know each other but have so much in common. It’s not just about conveying facts and figures; it’s about telling a story that unites, inspires, and empowers.
My credentials as a registered dietitian and certified eating disorder and sports specialist provide me with a unique and comprehensive perspective on health. We have all faced challenges with food and engage in exercise in some form, allowing my board-certified expertise to come together in a powerful and impactful way. Some of my past presentations include TEDxABQ, New Mexico Dental Association, New Mexico Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference, International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Annual Symposium, Sandia National Laboratories, NASM Strength and Conditioning Seminar, the Jewish Community Center, as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico and more!
Speaking Topics
Topic One
Fuel Your Awesome: How To Partner With Nutrition To Elevate Your Energy
Every single one of you possesses an inner awesome. To share that awesome with the world, you need one crucial thing: your health. In today’s fast-paced, information-saturated world, our health journey often becomes a passive experience rather than an intentional and empowered choice.
My mission is to fuel that unique awesomeness within you in two ways:
Partnering with Nutrition through Empowered Eating: Health should be your platform, not your glass ceiling. Nutrition is not just about eating; it’s about forming a partnership that supports your body and mind to achieve their fullest potential.
Embracing Your Innate Awesomeness: Too often, our inner brilliance is overshadowed by body image issues and confusion about food. I aim to clear the fog of misinformation and self-doubt, empowering you to recognize and embrace your inherent greatness.
Key Takeaways:
How to Avoid the Pendulum Swing: Discover tools and strategies to navigate and resist the pervasive traps of all-or-nothing thinking when it comes to nutrition.
Top Nutrition Non-Negotiables for Mental Strength: With increasing evidence of the connection between mental and physical health, we will identify essential nutritional practices enhancing overall quality of life.
Redefine Health Based on Your Values: Learn how to shape your health journey around your personal values, rather than external expectations.
Topic Two
God's Guide to Healthy Living: Aligning Health and Faith
This talk explores the profound connections between nutrition, health, and biblical teachings. By integrating scriptural discernment with modern nutritional science, we can find a balanced approach to nurturing our bodies and spirits.
Key Takeaways:
Biblical Foundations of Health:
Understand the biblical principles that emphasize the importance of taking care of our bodies.
Explore passages that highlight the significance of nutrition and health in the Bible.
Eating with Purpose:
Discover how to align your eating habits with your spiritual beliefs.
Learn how to make food choices that honor both your body and your faith.
Stewardship of the Body:
Embrace the concept of the body as a temple and our responsibility to care for it.
Identify practical ways to implement stewardship through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Balancing Physical and Spiritual Nourishment:
Learn strategies to balance physical nourishment with spiritual growth.
Understand the holistic approach to well-being that encompasses body, mind, and spirit.
Topic Three
Body Image Across The Lifespan
Our relationship with our body is one that meets challenges at every stage of life. Puberty starts us off by revealing how quickly our body can change, often beyond our control. As young adults, we navigate the complex balance between responsibility and self-care. Parenthood, careers, diagnoses, experiences and aging all bring new sets of challenges, transforming how we perceive and care for our bodies.
Despite its constant presence, the topic of body perception and care is rarely addressed in a meaningful way. With over 15 years of experience in body image and eating disorder work, I offer a unique perspective on our relationship with food, body, and health. My approach goes beyond conventional advice to empower you with tools that break free from body image restraints and foster a healthier, more empowered approach to eating and self-care.
Below are sample talks designed to provide you with practical strategies and insights for transforming your relationship with your body and food:
5 Things You Mistakenly Label As Weight Gain (That Are Totally Normal): Uncover common misconceptions about weight fluctuations and learn what factors truly impact your body.
Stop Wasting Your Energy And Do THIS Instead: Identify energy-draining habits related to body image and discover more productive and positive approaches.
How to Fall in Love With Healthy Eating (And Have Dessert Without A Side Of Guilt): Learn how to turn food from an emotional crutch into nourishing fuel, enjoying meals without guilt.
How To Make Peace With Your Plate: 3 Steps To Empowered Eating: Gain practical steps to develop a positive and empowered relationship with food.
Should You Count Macros? 3 Questions To Ask Yourself To Know If Macro Counting Is Right For You: Determine if macro counting aligns with your health goals and lifestyle.
Do You Swing From Restriction To Overeating? What To Do Differently This Holiday Season: Find strategies to maintain balance and avoid the cycle of restriction and overeating during special occasions.
Topic Four
Nutrition For Mental Strength
There is increasing evidence of the deep connection between mental and physical health. We now know that gut health has a direct and powerful impact on mental health and well-being. Understanding and optimizing this connection can lead to significant improvements in both areas.
Key Takeaways:
The Gut-Brain Connection: Learn how gut health influences mental health and discover the what to eat to enhance this powerful connection.
Top Nutrition Non-Negotiables for Mental Strength: With increasing evidence of the connection between mental and physical health, we will identify essential nutritional practices enhancing overall quality of life.
Understanding Your Biofeedback for Improved Health: Learn how to listen to your body's signals and what to do in response to biofeedback.
have we met somewhere before?
Jess is so fun to listen to with her friendly and passionate vibe and scientific and practical take on eating with her empowered eating approach! She tackles all the confusing information that is all over the place in social media and our culture as well as the mental and self love piece which is HUGE! As a Doctor of Physical Therapy that specializes in pelvic floor and a bachelors in nutrition, I talk with my patients about the importance of mental health/our inner voice, diet and gut health all the time so I’m so excited to be able to refer all my patients that need more support to Jess!