#BEYOUROWN MEETS DEVRIE PETTIT

Devrie Pettit is a registered dietitian/nutritionist. She received her BS degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Utah State University. She then went on to complete her Dietetic Internship and receive her Master’s Degree from Stony Brook University in New York. She studied the Mediterranean Diet in Italy where her love for Italian cuisine grew.

Devrie has worked at Life Time Fitness as the nutrition coach and co-developed the company’s corporate wellness program for the top insurance brokerage firm in Utah. Devrie co-founded a successful online business named PureFit PureFood in 2014. In 2017 she re-branded on her own to support a more concise wellness message focused on Intuitive Eating, HAES, and restriction recovery. She does not believe in diets, loves to cook and try new restaurants. Devrie is a wife and mother of four. Raising them as “foodies” rather than “health nuts” is one of her deepest passions.

Can you talk us through the path you have paved to where you are now as a registered dietitian/nutritionist and the workshops/courses you studied?

I spend several hours each week in learning and growing as a clinician. I have taken courses on eating disorder treatment and counselling skills and engage in a mentor group with other non-diet RDNS. 

Having studied the Mediterranean Diet in Italy where your love for Italian cuisine grew, what did you take away from that experience?

Italians/Med cuisine is high in fat. Yet, it’s not anything like the keto world claims fat to be. They love food and find joy in the eating experience. Food is a pleasure and they have health on their side because of it. 

What was the start-up process like for you with Happilyfed?

It was a much-needed transition from what I was doing before which was selling meal plans. I didn’t find joy in that at all and it was causing a lot of stress and anxiety in my life. I was always a non-diet dietitian, but I had little hidden forms in my message that I wasn’t completely aware of. Once I was able to pinpoint that and discover this whole non-diet world that was much more than Intuitive Eating I was able to streamline my message. I have a clear vision and voice and it helps me keep my life in the balance because I don’t take on things that don’t align with my values. I absolutely love what I do. 

How are you working with your clients to overcome food restriction and heal from chronic dieting?

I do things a little differently than other clinicians in my field. I have a very structured program that requires people to commit for at least six months. I feel like it takes that long to just reject diet mentality and separate yourself from diet culture. I incorporate the principles of intuitive eating, but I like to meet my clients where they are at. Sometimes it’s not IE at all. I advocate for Health at Every Size which means that I believe all bodies are good bodies. I provide a safe place for people to talk about their weight, but it isn’t the focus of our work. I help my clients identify health-promoting behaviors that work for their unique lifestyle. 

What 3 key first steps can we take to maintain inner peace, confidence, and respect for our body? 

1. Accept your body for the amazing gift that it is. You don’t have to love it but when you work on taking care of it in a way that feels good, not through a narrow mindset of being smaller you discover peace and connection that you can’t get through dieting, rules, or restriction. 
2. Trust it. Listen to your body cues of hunger and fullness. 
3. Find joy in moving your body not through punishment or because you have/should or through the competition to be fitter/faster/stronger. Move because it feels good. Be gentle. 

What are your preferred marketing methods for the Private Nutrition Therapy sessions you offer?

I get all of my clients through Instagram!

What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?

Nobody knows your body like you do. If you are your own, you don’t let external factors influence your decisions or how to take care of your body. You know your body and you are confident in your choices for it. You might need help getting there and it won’t be perfect every day, but you can get close. 

Where are you looking to expand to next throughout 2019?

I would like to create more resources for those who can’t get into PNT with me. I have four kids and they are my priority. Balancing career goals with wanting to be with them and there for them is something I will always work to achieve. 

Instagram: @happilyfed

Website:https://www.happilyfed.life