Meet EDRD Pro member Nicole Speeney, MS, RDN, LDN (she/her), dietitian and owner of Expedition Nutrition! Keep reading to learn more about Nicole and her amazing work!

What’s your favorite meal?

Eggplant parmesan!

If you could choose to have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?

This is a tough one! But, I would probably have dinner with Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole, the founders of Intuitive Eating. Intuitive Eating is something that I am extremely passionate about – it saved my life, and is now the cornerstone of my lifestyle and approach as an EDRD.

What is a piece of career advice that you would share with someone starting off in the eating disorder field?

This work is challenging, but the most rewarding. Learn from your mentors and coworkers (the more multi-disciplinary, the better!). Ask questions, and just keep showing up. Experience and repetition will pave the way for success and growth. I remember my very first client session: I was SO nervous to finally be sitting down with a client solo, that I had a thorough outline prepared with essentially all the different ways the conversation could go. Now, I look forward to my client sessions and am so confident in my knowledge that I can lead a session without notes.

What’s something that’s brought you joy recently?

Honestly, my work! I have my own private practice, Expedition Nutrition, that I started in January of 2023. But, this summer, I contracted with a local counseling and wellness practice to increase my client load and expand my reach even more! I do not accept clients with active eating disorders into Expedition Nutrition, but, with my new position, I can work with active eating disorder cases since I see 95% of them in person, in state. I’m able to use my same skill set in this newer role, while expanding my reach and helping more people (which has been my career goal for as long as I can remember!). My caseload has become extremely colorful, which challenges me, brings me joy, and leaves me feeling fulfilled and the most aligned with my passions.

Also, my husband and I got a puppy last year and she has brought so much joy into our lives! Lily is our 1-year-old yellow lab, full of personality and energy!

What’s something you’ve learned recently?

Rest is different than escape. Our culture prides itself on hustle, busyness, and productivity. The next time you are “resting”, ask yourself: Is this really rest, or am I just escaping? It’s hard to truly rest without reaching for something to DO under the guise of rest. Challenge yourself to rest with the least amount of distractions possible – walk without a podcast, cook dinner without music, or lay down without immediately reaching for the TV remote…trust me, harder than it sounds!!

Why eating disorder treatment? What drives you to do this work?

My own experience with disordered eating drove my passion to pursue this work. I struggled with disordered eating in undergrad, as a captain on my Division I softball team. I was under extreme amounts of stress and held many responsibilities, so I never thought I was “sick enough” to reach out for help – I thought it would be viewed as a weakness. So, regrettably, I never did. Now, I understand that my recovery would have progressed much faster and more efficiently with that help, so I aspire to be that person for others. I strive to help those who might be going through similar struggles as I did ditch diet culture, perfectionism, and black-and-white thinking around food and exercise, through Intuitive Eating to reach food freedom. I love nothing more than demonstrating to my clients that there is a way to live life beyond obsessing over food.

Do you have specific areas of interest or special populations with whom you work?

I work mostly with the disordered eating and eating disorder population, but also have a soft spot for athletes. I am most passionate about these two populations!

What projects, products, or services do you offer that you want to share with our audience?

Within my own practice, Expedition Nutrition, I offer a 12-week nutrition coaching program, called Food Freedom Reroot. Food Freedom Reroot is a three-month coaching program for those who recognize their disordered eating patterns (not for those with diagnosed eating disorders) and have shown a genuine curiosity and effort around healing their relationship with food, their body, and/or exercise (i.e. maybe already tried taking the first steps, but still feel stuck). Every human was born with the natural inclination to eat intuitively and have food freedom, but diet culture has unfortunately uprooted it for many. In order to approach recovery and REROOT food freedom in the most sustainable and efficient way possible, you will need guidance and support along the way. Your journey with food is the furthest thing from linear, it ebbs & flows; there are peaks and valleys. I will meet you where you are, honor and feel the valleys as much as the peaks, acknowledge your goals and core values, and help tailor a path that aligns with them. We will navigate your unique journey with food TOGETHER. 

I also have “starter pack” options and other “lower ticket” ways to work with me.

I’m currently working on rolling out Intuitive Athlete Academy, a nutrition coaching program that covers mindset, body image, and performance nutrition, specifically for athletic teams. I have a few Universities currently interested!