Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Smith.
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My interest in nutrition stemmed from my competitive nature while running cross country and track in high school. When I realized the role of diet in athletic performance. I decided to pursue a degree in nutrition at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. After graduation, I completed my dietetic internship (similar to a medical residency) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Through my clinical rotations, I solidified my interest in diabetes.
In 2012, I returned to my hometown in the Keys and started practicing as a dietitian. I founded The Keys to Nutrition and began accepting clients privately while working full-time in other roles. I have since worked with a diverse range of patient populations and practice areas including public health and community nutrition, long-term care, and inpatient and outpatient clinical nutrition. I served as the sole dietitian for Mariners Hospital of Baptist Health South Florida for over 7 years.
I’ve held a specialty certification as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) since 2016. I received my Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from The University of Alabama in 2019. The evolution of telehealth during the pandemic ultimately led me to take my private practice full-time in January 2022 after 10 years of practice as a Registered Dietitian.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has certainly not been a smooth road or a straight one. I always knew I wanted to work in private practice, however, I was not sure how I was going to make that work.
One positive of the pandemic was the evolution and acceptance of telehealth. This led me to have more time to see clients on the nights and weekends as I was previously driving to clients’ houses throughout the Keys after work.
We’ve been impressed with The Keys to Nutrition, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Keys to Nutrition is a nutrition counseling and consulting practice based in the Florida Keys. I offer one-on-one nutrition counseling for a variety of goals and conditions including diabetes, sports nutrition, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, weight management, and plant-based eating patterns.
I offer telehealth consultations nationwide and in-office visits in Key Largo, Florida. I’m licensed in multiple states across the nation and enjoy working with those near and far. I accept Medicare, which covers nutrition counseling for diabetes and kidney disease. I also accept Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA and FSA) and discounted packages for those not utilizing insurance.
I offer grocery store tours where I walk individuals around the store teaching them how to shop, compare labels and answer questions. I find this service to be extremely valuable and fun. If we are not eating out for most meals, the grocery store is where we make most of our nutrition decisions.
I also offer Walk and Talks, which is a term I coined for outdoor nutrition consultations that take place at local parks. Before I became an RD, I dreamed of doing consultations outdoors where we could “walk the walk” and we were “talking the talk”. Breaking a sweat while discussing nutrition and wellness goals just makes sense!
As a former division I collegiate athlete now marathon runner and IRONMAN, I enjoy working with fellow runners, triathletes, cyclists, and swimmers to reach their goals whether that be finishing their first marathon, Ironman, or ultramarathon, or a personal record. I am very active in the endurance world and you’ll most likely find me training or racing mornings, nights, and weekends.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Visit my website to book or inquire more about my services at www.thekeystonutrition.com.
You can follow along on Instagram and Facebook, @thekeystonutrition (general nutrition) or @the_endurance_dietitian (sports nutrition).
Pricing:
- Initial Nutrition Consultation, 90 minutes. $270
- Follow Up Nutrition Consultation, 45 minutes. $135
- Grocery Store Tour, 60 minutes. $200
- Walk and Talk, 45 minutes. $150
- Media Consulting, pricing varies based on needs
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
thekeystonutrition.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ thekeystonutrition/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/the_endurance_ dietitian/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ thekeystonutrition - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/profile.php?id= 100087086119354 - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/courtney- smith-ms-rd-ldn-cdces- 4949aa22/
Image Credits
Eyes of a Badfish Photography
