Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Wright.
Hi Ashlee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I fell in love with cooking at a young age and I almost decided to go to culinary school. Something inside of me told me that wasn’t the right path. I started to think about nutrition and how my love of cooking would tie into it. I had several family members with diabetes and heart disease and I wanted to be part of the prevention of chronic diseases for others. I ended up going to Penn State for nutrition science and haven’t looked back since. I went on to receive a Master of Dietetics Administration from Utah State University.
I have been a registered dietitian for the past 11 years. I have worked in a number of roles, primarily in the outpatient setting, counseling patients one on one in a variety of areas related to nutrition and weight management. The best part of the job has always been the relationships that I form with my clients, I value each and every one of them, and playing a part in changing their lives is beyond rewarding.
In the Fall of 2021, I went back to my 9-5 after having my second baby and I felt this urge that there was something else I should be doing. I had always thought of starting my own nutrition business but wasn’t sure where to start. I just so happened to be contacted by someone who helps dietitians start their own virtual nutrition coaching business. It was meant to be. Since that time, I have grown Why Eat Wise, a virtual nutrition coaching business. I help busy, on-the-go women say goodbye to diets so they never have to restrict themselves or fall victim to the scale again. I am on a mission to help my clients learn to eat for the rest of their lives, clear up any misinformation they have been infiltrated over the years, and develop a healthy, positive relationship with food.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha, well not exactly. Starting a business has been challenging but oh so rewarding. I have learned so much about social media, marketing, copywriting, etc. over the past few months. It has been a huge learning curve but I have loved every second of it. It hasn’t been simple being a mom, wife, and entrepreneur and figuring out my balance. I’m getting there, I know it is not an easy feat but one that I know will be worth it in the long run.
At first, I tried to get the business going on my own, without anyone to help guide me. That was my main mistake. I was finding myself spending hours with my head spinning not knowing what to focus on first. I finally decided that I needed a mentor and I have been working with business coaches that have kept me focused. Asking for help is one piece of advice I would give any new entrepreneur! Anxiety and overwhelm can come in quickly without the right support.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I help busy, on-the-go women (or men!) say goodbye to chronic dieting and learn how to eat forever without restriction so they never have to fall victim to the scale again.
Why Eat Wise is a virtual nutrition coaching experience. You can be Anywhere in the world to work with me. I provide individualized coaching to each of my clients, no one person is the same so I always meet my clients where they are at.
Why Eat Wise has 4 key components:
No food restriction – Learn to eat all of the foods you love and make them part of your plan rather than part of the bad foods list.
Food relationship – Fix the broken relationship with food that has come from years of dieting. You will learn to lose the guilt and shame surrounding eating.
Overcoming the numbers – Learn how to never fall victim to the scale again. Learn why that number is not the end all be all. Learn how to not let your weight define you.
Making it stick – How to make habits that stick for the long haul, getting rid of the short-term fixes that don’t set you up for long-term success.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Do not be afraid to ask for help and find someone to give you the tough love and keep you accountable. It’s great to have a support system and people cheering you on, but you also need someone to say (in my case) ‘Ash, stop your whining and just go do something about it. Stop overthinking it, you know what you need to do!’
Contact Info:
- Website: https://whyeatwise.com/
- Instagram: @whyeatwise
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleewright511
