Sam Taylor, RD

I have never doubted my pursued endeavors. In fact, from the age of twelve onwards, I have felt destined for a career to aid others to assist those desiring to claim their personal right of health. Truthfully, this feeling permeated my soul so much that I garnered Registered Dietitian accreditation. However, for a long time I questioned if this assistance was best accomplished by means of pursuing typical clinical profession. At the point of contact between a dietitian and patient, it is often forced or ordered due to prolonged disease exposure. Food should always be utilized as the first method of treatment. In fact, I attained the realization that there is no one diet for all after healing my body from hypothalmic amenorrhea (no period), which I suffered from for 8 years. Rather, every human is a work-in-progress, united by not only the necessity of food as a fuel source but also the beauty of flaws. This necessity is a language that is not our own. Rather, it is a language substantial to all humans; the language of needing food to exist on a whole. This is the reason I pursued a career in the dietetics field: to enlighten others to the universality of food to ensure this language crosses all cultural and language barriers; to assure that food be seen as fuel and not a fixation of fear.

There are other additions to include in the human experience. Humans are forever connected and intertwined. Despite the distance, isolation, and vastness of our Mother Earth, we are only a one word reply from relating to those we do not know. Hearing the stories of successful recovery for those who are facing hopelessness, infertility, unbalanced hormones, low self-esteem, uncertainty or confusion on what to eat, chronic dis-ease, eating disorders, and more are powerful and hope-inspiring. On May 27, 2015 I was raped. I had also just begun orthorexia recovery. For two years, I self-sabotaged at every corner. I loathed my very body as she had betrayed my trust. My heart hallowed as my skin turgor lapsed, as I dwindled to beneath existence, as the monotonous chore of breathing allowed for continued survival. Suddenly, I understood the heinous travesty committed against me garnered no personal blame. Rather, I was a survivor. I was one intended to share my story of triumph. After that fateful recognition, I met my one on July 29, 2018. We have been married two years. However, our lives were forever altered on March 15, 2020, when my love suffered an ATV accident causing a Diffuse Axonal Traumatic Brain Injury. No, this tragedy was not the end. Rather, it was a new beginning. After devoting ten months of my life to ensuring complete independence and full normalcy would be reached, he received clearance from the neurologist. Along the way, I again lost a piece of myself. And, it was not until I opened my heart and raised my voice to share with others that I again was found. You can eat red meat. You can eat cookies. You can eat bread ad gluten if there are no intolerances or allergies present. There is a life beyond feeling stuck from whatever your circumstance. Freedom and joy can be reached!

In conclusion, not only does my motivation stem from intrinsic factors, but also that of my external environment. As discussed above, my life priorities permanently shifted after witnessing my husband placed upon life support. Family, friends, and nurturing relationships are life`s true purpose; true accomplishments; true meaning. You see, not only am I motivated by striving for lofty achievements as I have fully realized my capabilities, but for my love of helping others reach their dreams. We can unlearn together through perseverance and a willingness to open ourselves. And, if you are local to Southern California, you will likely find me walking with my husband and Golden Retriever when we are not traveling.