Latest / Nutrition Connection by Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof / 53: Gretchen Zimmermann, MBA, RDN, CDCES, CSOWM, DipACLM - MEDIA / Health Tech
Transcript
- Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Welcome back to the Nutrition Connection Podcast, the show where science meets storytelling. I'm your host, Dr. Kristen Hicks Roof, dietitian, researcher, and lifelong advocate of the role of nutrition, health, and wellness. Each episode, I get to sit down with dietitians and nutrition experts, leaders whose work touches nearly every aspect of our lives. So whether you're a student, a seasoned professional, or someone simply curious about food, nutrition, and health, this podcast is just for you. The views, thoughts, and comments on this podcast do not reflect those of my employer nor the employers of my guests. So let's go ahead and get connected. I'm really excited to bring on a brand new connection of mine. We've met virtually, but we never met in person. So I can't wait to just hear about her story and get you excited about what kind of role she has. And man, does she have credentials? So we're gonna talk about those two. So we have Gretchen Zimmerman. Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: She is a spokesperson as well as a cardiometabolic and digital healthcare expert. Welcome, welcome to the show, Gretchen. Gretchen Zimmermann: Thank you so much, Kristen. I'm so happy to be here, excited for this conversation with you. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: It is so funny because sometimes in you know, I'm really active on LinkedIn and I comment on people's stuff all the time and I see updates and it's like I know you but I don't know you. So Gretchen Zimmermann: Right. Yeah, I I know exactly how that is. Yes, I'm a frequent poster. I feel that way about a lot of people on Instagram. And then once it's like once you meet them in real life, it's like, ⁓ my gosh, we I we know each other, don't we? Yeah. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: We know it isn't that so weird how the digital environment you can like build that rapport when you never actually interact with anyone. So yeah, I can't wait to like really dive dive through your story and learn all about what you do in your roles today, especially as digital healthcare, because I think that is something that a lot of dietitians are trying to figure out what that might look like. So let's start from the beginning though. What inspired you and made you wanna want to become a nutrition professional? Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Yeah, it's really wonderful. Yeah, so I've been a registered dietitian for fifteen years, but ⁓ I had another career before I was a registered dietitian. So I worked as a licensed medical esthetician. I lived in New York City at the time and I worked in a medical spy, did that for like seven years in my twenties and it was Really fun and enjoyable. I loved the the science of skincare. I still do skin skincare products and all of that fun stuff. But at some point I ⁓ had decided I wanted to go back to school and just kind of get a little bit deeper into a different field. ⁓ and so there were a few things just kind of that converged around that time of my life. ⁓ close family member, had bariatric surgery. ⁓ so that kind of piqued my interest. I had started running and got really interested in nutrition, fueling, ⁓ and and kind of the sports nutrition aspect of it, and just really found myself leaning into ⁓ nutrition programs and looking into dietetics programs. ⁓ and that just felt like the right next step for me. So that's that was about 15 years ago. and I've I've worked in various settings, which I know we'll talk about in in just a second here. ⁓ but yeah, it's been, you know, it's been a really maybe a different path. I know several dietitians who this is their second career and and did some really interesting things before. So Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ yeah. When I was a faculty member at University of North Florida, I can't tell you the amount I taught mostly taught in the graduate program. So the master's and doctoral program. I would probably say 50% were second career. And they had a very successful previous career, whether it was marketing or beauty or, you know, science or w whatever it was, but they had kind of this calling to them of like health was important to them. Maybe that was physical activity, maybe that was Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: metabolic health, maybe that was chronic disease, whatever it was, it was kind of, you're right, like this convergence, like maybe this is the direction I need to go. and I'm sure you still use some of your skills and techniques and knowledge that you had from your previous career to be able to leverage into what you do today. Gretchen Zimmermann: Absolutely. I would say that that was kind of my first exposure to looking at the literature and the scientific literature and understanding what skincare products are efficacious and ingredients. And, you know, so so ⁓ yeah, I that was probably the biggest intersection between this, you know, the skincare and in in the in the beauty world and nutrition. So there's a lot of similarities there. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Love that. So my brother, he's actually a dermatologist, and we battle all the time because he does not believe nutrition is a huge part of skincare. And not that he doesn't believe it, but he believes that there's other opportunities and other products out there. And I'm like, yeah, but it all starts at the foundation of nutrition. Like I remember when he was gonna, you know, become a PA. Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. It does. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And he took a nutrition class. He's like, dude, can you help me with this assignment? I was like, No, this is like the most critical thing. You need to learn nutrition as part of your role. Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's a big piece of the puzzle, I would say. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: For sure. So let's talk about your journey. You ultimately decided that you wanted to pursue being a dietitian. What kind of roles have you had to where you are today, just really as this expert on cardiometabolic and healthcare technologies? Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah, so ⁓ initially I went into the inpatient setting. I think we all hear as registered dietitians, you gotta get that clinical experience under your belt. ⁓ I had always been interested in leadership and management. I'd held those types of roles previously, ⁓ but I really wanted to get that clinical experience. So I worked inpatient ⁓ in a hospital in San Francisco for a few years, and then I worked in an outpatient clinic ⁓ in bariatrics and weight management. I worked with an endocrinologist and Had an opportunity to establish a weight management clinic with her. And this was so funny because like this was probably 12, 12, you know, ⁓ 13 years ago. ⁓ and I remember counseling patients ⁓ on weight management, and we were prescribing sexenda at the time. So that was like one of the earlier GLP one medications that was used for diabetes, but they were also seeing weight loss results. So kind of crazy how that, when I look back at that time and think like, Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Full circle. Gretchen Zimmermann: Full circle. Yeah. So ⁓ so always just found myself in the weight management space. I did not love working in the inpatient setting. For whatever reason, every time my pager went off, it just brought me great anxiety. It was like a lot of pressure. ⁓ I I know that dietitians can probably relate to this. There are some who just absolutely thrive, right, in the ICU and in in those settings. ⁓ but for me, I I ⁓ I kind of knew that there was something else for me. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ yeah. Gretchen Zimmermann: ⁓ I also found it hard to educate patients, like a new diabetes diagnosis, for example, in that setting, because you know patients aren't in a place to retain that type of information, right? And it was always very hard for me to see them go and not see them again and not follow their, you know, their success. So ⁓ I then kind of sought out a different opportunity where I could do that, right? Where I could really follow the patients on their on their journey. I found a company that I really I spent 12 years of my career there. I just left a few months ago. ⁓ but this company was one of the first telehealth companies started in 2014, where we were treating patients for weight management and ⁓ health coaching. So I was a health coach at that time, even though I was a registered dietitian. ⁓ and that was awesome. That was exactly what I wanted. It definitely It allowed me to have build those longitudinal relationships with patients. ⁓ but I really grew in that company and moved into different leadership roles, led the development of the clinical org, had dietitians reporting into me at one point, a lot of dietitians. ⁓ you want to talk about nerve wracking, ⁓ having, you know, monthly meetings ⁓ with a whole room of very smart dietitians. ⁓ but yeah, just like a A lot of really great opportunities in the digital healthcare space. And so ⁓ specifically I specialized in cardiometabolic health, this company that I worked for, diabetes, ⁓ and then eventually obesity, the GLP ones as they came to the market about two and a half years ago for obesity, ⁓ and played a role in building out our clinical programs, evidence-based protocols, ⁓ worked with a multidisciplinary care team. ⁓ and eventually found myself moving over to the commercial side of the organization, just kind of taking on different roles over there. So I will just stop for a second there because that was a lot, but I think that's you know, the probably ⁓ the best summary I can give of what the last, you know, decade or so has looked like. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I mean, really, you were kind of at the cutting edge before it was cutting edge. You know what I mean? Like it reminds me back in my academic days. I started my goal in my research era was to develop a virtual interprofessional clinic. And it all happened before COVID. And then like COVID hit, and I was like, see, like this virtual interprofessional clinic. And it was all right, all digital. Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Yes. Yes. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And you can have a social worker and a dietitian and a physician and a pharmacist all talk to each other with the patient at the same time. Like, how cool is that with telehealth technologies? And I feel like we're still on the emerging side of telehealth, especially when you think about all these digital tools that can provide us data. So it's cool how like every experience that you had almost laddered up to what you ended up doing. Gretchen Zimmermann: It's awesome. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And you're right. It really blew up during COVID ⁓ because people needed access healthcare, right? And ⁓ that was that was the the best way to do it. And you know, thankfully I was in that role. I know a lot of businesses obviously suffered during that time, but if you were in the telehealth space, man, were you busy? It was just rapidly scaling, you know, your providers and the care that you could deliver. ⁓ to really meet that need. So that was obviously an unfortunate time, but like a very exciting time, ⁓ in terms of you just growth. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: So I'm curious, I mean, I have run small teams of dietitians, but like, what was that like kind of stepping into a role in managing a lot of dietitians who come from, yes, we all have the same training, but we also have a whole different lens, right? Of each way that we provide and counsel and and educate. So what was that like? Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ maybe for those who are listening who want to go into that role of like, I want to be a people manager of large dietitian teams or nutrition teams. Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Yeah, so I I mean overall it was an amazing experience. I still have very good friends to this day who are dietitians. Overall, the dietitians that I worked with were the most supportive group of professionals that I've worked with. ⁓ it was really interesting because at that time in this organization I was leading a team of health coaches who are dietitians but weren't able to practice MT yet. And so Part of the initiatives that I led was to with my team get 50 state licensure so that all of our dietitians could provide medical nutrition therapy across all 50 states. ⁓ And so that in and of itself was a challenging process. I had to really, to say the least, I mean, you know what the, you know what the laws and the the the rules and how they vary state to state. And so I had some really fantastic dietitian leaders who I was working with at that time. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Yeah. Gretchen Zimmermann: Who really supported me and and and helped us to get to that place. ⁓ but I mean, to your to your question, you know, it was intimidating. At one point we had several hundred dietitians. And so, and you, you know, of course, your, you know, your imposter syndrome kicks in, right? When you're in that kind of role and that big of a role for the first time, and you think like, ⁓ my gosh, I'm I'm ⁓ they're gonna pick up on something that I might say wrong or inaccurate. And But like none of that was true. Ultimately, I you know, it's like we are our own worst enemies sometimes, right? ⁓ and and ultimately, like I said, they just ended up being some of the most supportive people I've worked with, really smart people, different areas of specialty, all just kind of bringing their own secret sauce. ⁓ we all share this really unique passion too for being in the telehealth setting. Like Like you said earlier, and like the cutting edge and like just this excitement about being able to deliver care in a new way and to be one of the first companies that was delivering medical nutrition therapy. So I mean, overall it was an incredible experience. It was I probably worked the hardest I ever have in my life during those years for sure, though. It was not easy. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Well, and think that is almost like where we're at today in society with GLP one usage just, you know, skyrocketing. And although it's not mandated right now that you need nutrition or dietitian consults, I think that's where you're gonna start to see separation with some of these platforms, right? These telehealth platforms of yeah, you can just do medication by themselves or label it with a commercial, ⁓ you know, any sort of commercial company and now all of a sudden you have better outcomes or Gretchen Zimmermann: Uh-huh. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: better maintenance, less attrition. I mean, there's so many layers to that. So I think I think the future of dietitians is only gonna grow and grow in terms of like expans expanding where we're at, but then also the capabilities that we can provide from every level of the the chain, right? So let's talk about what do you do kind of like what is your day to day or your current role as a spokesperson and then in your role you're at today, what does a day to day look like? Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Yep. Yep. Yes. Yeah, so I am a newly appointed spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I am super excited about that. It's been ⁓ something that I've been focused on for a few years, just in terms of like building up media presence and getting media training and trying to get in different types of media outlets, print, ⁓ haven't done any broadcast yet, but ⁓ just really building that and building those skills. ⁓ I've done a lot of thought leadership and speaking at conferences and public speaking, ⁓ which by the way, if you're scared to death of public speaking, there is a there's a there is hope. because that was me early on, but now I absolutely love it and can't get enough of it. ⁓ and so yeah, I just found I was really passionate about the the media aspect of being a dietitian and really had focused on that the last few years. So Very excited to work with the academy and ⁓ really represent dietitians, especially in those areas of ⁓ my expertise, obesity, GLP1, policy, right? All all the really important areas. ⁓ but then I'm also in, I still work in digital healthcare and cardiometabolic. ⁓ I work for a company that is using AI to enable healthcare. ⁓ and so that's a new. conversation for me. I'm still learning a lot about what that looks like and what ethical and safe and secure AI looks like and how do we deploy that in a way that's r you know responsible, not taking the job of our clinicians fully. And you know, of course none of us want that. ⁓ and so yeah, so so that's what I'm doing right now. I ⁓ in my role I work ⁓ with different kind like consultants and brokers, just kind of educating on ⁓ this product and this company that I work for. So ⁓ a pivot for me, but I'm loving it. It's been really exciting and it's like again kind of cutting edge being at the forefront of this new thing, which is AI. Very polarizing. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: When and one of one of the things that I love too is you can pivot. As nutrition professionals, we are I know we've talked about it, like we're trained to do so many different things and you can jump from one sector to the other because every job that you have gives you the skill sets to be able to pivot. So I think that that that's really cool. I was actually just talking with my chiropractor ⁓ the other day because he does dictation. Gretchen Zimmermann: Yes. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ and and that's how he kind of writes his notes. And he's like, the amount of time that I have saved in typing out notes. Now you do there's a whole personnel that needs to make sure that that's accurate, right? For HIPAA and also for medical reasons. Otherwise, you're gonna get sued if the note is wrong, right? Like amputate left leg. No, it's actually right leg. I messed up the dictation, right? So I do think that there's but you know. Gretchen Zimmermann: Right? Yes. Yeah. It's kind of a big deal. Yeah. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: When it comes to medical and legal, there are a lot of complications. So I think some of these AI technologies, like I th I understand why people have fears that it would take a job, but I would say how does it make you more efficient? So that way we can get back to the thing that we're really good at, which is patient facing, right? It's really helping the patient and spending time with the patient and using these tools and technologies to make that process more efficient. So you're not there, you know, typing your your assessment notes. Gretchen Zimmermann: Yes, yes. That's right. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: at six PM or later, right? So I think there's a lot of opportunity for that, as well as many other health technologies. I've had other people on the show already and in health tech. And I think it's an exciting space to be, especially in the GLP one era where you can get them on your phone. You can order it on your phone basically, ⁓ and they'll ship it to your house. So pretty wild, isn't it? Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Right. It is, yeah. I mean, and and that's how I think about it too with AI. And that's how physicians are using it too in other healthcare professionals, is they're pulling off those low risk administrative burdens that like like to your point, chart notes and even reviewing medical charts and using AI to be able to kind of like ⁓ review and pull out the pertinent details and provide a summary. And ⁓ so I think that's some of the low-hanging fruit. And I think ⁓ you know, w we're gonna see it evolve pretty quickly over the next six months to, you know, two years. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ yeah. Well, and I think once you start to integrate AI into large data collection, like like the aura rings or the glucose monitors or whatever, now all of a sudden you can you know, I got a I got ⁓ a ultrasound the other day and they were like, Do you want the AI add-on? It was like twenty extra dollars. And basically they were saying like this AI add-on can detect ⁓ a cancer three months before the human eye. And it's like Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: You think about those technologies and no, it's not replacing a job, but it's in supplement of the job. And yes, ⁓ there will be some replacement, don't get me wrong, but you'll have more efficiency. So I'm super fascinated on this because, like I told you, I wanted to build a virtual interprofessional clinic model. Like that was my research for almost 10 years. And I felt like but then I left academia and then basically it just went down the drain because no one takes over your projects when you leave academia. So Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah, yes. Yeah. yes, I've heard that. That's unfortunate. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: It it is unfortunate because there's so many cool things. But I also like that you're a spokesperson because, you know, we need more people out there who are science communicators and being able to go through the noise with your expertise and say, Hey, here's actually what the data is saying. and and having that visibility. So I'm excited for your journey as spokesperson. I know I have a lot of friends who've gone through that program. At one point I want to go through the program, but Gretchen Zimmermann: Right. Thank you. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: you have to be careful depending who you work for. so I think it's a great opportunity to get media and just ha just elevate dietitians' voice. So I'm excited you're doing Gretchen Zimmermann: Yes. I that is true, yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah, me too. Thank you. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: So let's talk about scientific evidence and data. How does that play a role in what you do in your day-to-day, whether either one of your roles? Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah, I mean I think probably the best example is again the GLP ones and the indications that are, you know, seemingly coming out and approved almost by the day, right? ⁓ I think the latest one I saw a study in ⁓ the the, you know, potentially a reduced risk of Breast cancer, right? With GLP ones, which is really interesting. So ⁓ that's that's really relevant to the work that I do, and especially the work I was doing at my previous company when you think about building these clinical programs. ⁓ and you have to ⁓ evolve as the market evolves and as the scientific community evolves and as these new guidelines come out. ⁓ you know, I work a lot with like in the employers and the employer ⁓ and the benefits ecosystem. And people are just so savvy now. The a lot of these buyers and the HR leaders, they're savvy. ⁓ and they hear all about this and they hear about the research and the new indications, and so they ask a lot of questions. ⁓ and so, you know, for me it's been critical to really stay on top of the research and and and these these findings as they come out by the day on GLP ones. Fascinating, it's promising. ⁓ but yeah, I, you know, that's been ⁓ probably like I that's probably the best example I can I can give right now, the most relevant. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Well, and you're right in the sense z the scientific data that's coming out, I mean, it's literally every day. Like I was just on the ⁓ retro ride, retroded, I don't know how to pronounce it. Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Yeah, retatri retatri tide, I believe. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Okay, so you may not know either. It is the data coming from that is incredible. I mean, it's actually terrifying a little bit, but it's also incredible when you think about not only weight, which I think is a huge part, especially if you have a country that's overweight, but then there's so many more uses. Like you said, you're starting to see reductions in other comorbidities. So how do we use some of these medications along with technologies to really elevate the space? So I think that's just it's just a really exciting time. Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah, it's amazing. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yes. Yes. It is. Mm-hmm. Yeah, absolutely. And it's like what we're seeing too in the research is that the when people go off of these medications, which by the way, they need to be lifelong medications for some people. That's just the reality. ⁓ but what they're finding in these clinical trials, and you know this as well, is that when they come off of these medications, those the the Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ and you're you're at the cutting edge right now. Gretchen Zimmermann: those ki b biometrics like blood pressure, cholesterol that improved while on the medication will go back to baseline, right? So we know there's that really powerful effect there. ⁓ and then there's some other research that shows that those improvements may even not be related directly to the weight loss, but by the mechanism of the drug. So ⁓ it's just it's fascinating to me. And it's like it's it's quickly evolving and just really kind of ⁓ Awesome to stay on top of all of it. So yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: When one of the things that stood out to me in your credentials is really your involvement and your credentials around lifestyle medicine. So how do you see that kind of interplay with what you do in your role on the clinical side ⁓ with lifestyle medicine? Yeah. Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Yeah, so great question. I don't know if you remember, but there was a there were some guidelines that were put out for patients on GLP ones ⁓ probably about a year ago. It was the Obesity Society, it was the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, right? ⁓ and it was the ⁓ what's the third one? I'm the ⁓ the the the academy, thank you. Yes, I should know that. ⁓ so it was the academy and Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: The Academy. Gretchen Zimmermann: And so we they came out with these guidelines. And if you look at those guidelines and the interventions that surround GLP ones, it's all life it's lifestyle. And this is nothing new, right? Like we all know this. We you know it's nothing groundbreaking. But the but right, but the fact of the matter is that you can't do GLP ones without these lifestyle metaph modifications. So you want to call them lifestyle medicine that hasn't been fully accepted by the Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Yes, I do know. Gretchen Zimmermann: whole medical community. ⁓ but it is, right? It's those, it's sleep, it's stress management, it's nutrition, obviously, it's exercise, it's mental health, it's managing depression and anxiety. ⁓ and so, you know, when I think about lifestyle medicine and the the best way that I think about applying it, it's in that context for any patient who's on a GLP one, they should be receiving. who are engaging in those type of behavior changes. And and I'm sure that they are. We know our patients are doing these things, right, already, many of them. But yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Yeah, you know, I think it's it's funny sometimes because when you look at literature in a way it's so controlled that it's like, what is the practical life look like? Right. Like how are people able to do it? If you're working two or three jobs and you got kids and you're ta driving to soccer practice and gymnastics and ballet and all these other things, it's like, how does lifestyle medicine fit? Because, you know, I mean as dietitians, we're also trained on sleep, mental health. you know, physical activity, nutrition, because that's all the layers of health. So I think that there is some again, I c I d I feel like I'm gonna preach this until I die, is there is more opportunity for dietitians to be at the table. And I love that that we can be there in every aspect of lifestyle medicine. Not that we're the only ones, but we should have a seat at the table. So you've had a you've had a really successful career and you've had a lot of Gretchen Zimmermann: Yes. Hundred percent. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Ton of different pivots as you've gone through your career, all the way back from being an aesthetician. So, what's been your favorite so far? What have you just loved doing? Gretchen Zimmermann: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I mean, just to say that's the reason I love this field. And for anyone who's considering getting into the field, it's like you really can make it your own thing. I think that we tend to draw in a lot of entrepreneurs, right? And people who want to run their own private practice or who just have that business mindset. ⁓ and so I think that's a really that's really amazing, right? And when I talk to a lot of dietitians, I I find that that's like kind of a common thread. So, ⁓ I mean, my favorite pivot honestly was Really, that move into telehealth, ⁓ into digital healthcare. I loved, particularly loved doing the clinical program building, building diabetes programs and the obesity program, and getting into all the evidence-based guidelines. See, this is why I need to go back to school for my PhD. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Hey, I'll support you if you want. I mean you got all the knowledge to do it, but I think you're good. Gretchen Zimmermann: Ha ha ha Just kidding. ⁓ but I love that stuff. ⁓ that that that makes me happy. It makes me feel like I'm contributing in a meaningful way ⁓ to our profession, to the bigger community, ⁓ to the people who are, you know, responsible for providing these this care. So yeah, that's I think that's the piece. And I don't know, I'm really excited for what's next. It's a new chapter for me. So Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ that's for sure. And you know, things are changing so fast too in today's environment, whether it's, you know, technologies or just like how we're practicing or what's covered in practice, especially with things happening in external of our environment. There's a lot more interest in nutrition in general. Like I'm getting random people, like my physical therapist is asking me about nutrition, which they should, but They don't typically. So it's kind of nice. Like now you're actually like having movement. Like people are thinking about nutrition, not only with their dollars, but they're thinking about it just in their day to day life. And so that to me is just like super exciting. And it drives me. I mean, yes, I have a PhD, but I would say I don't know if I went for the right reasons. I loved college and I went to ten years of college. So that in itself was like a joyful time for me. ⁓ but Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: What would you say, Gretchen, is some like suggestions or tips would you have for someone who maybe wants to go into their telehealth roles or health technologies or even being a spokesperson? Like how did you prep yourself to be able to apply? Because that's a very competitive process as well. Gretchen Zimmermann: It is, yeah. I mean, I would just say, and and this might sound cliche and you've heard it before, but like one of the rules I followed early on in my career was just say yes, to just say yes to all the opportunities. Like I think as dietitians, that's what we do, right? It's like our innate behavior is right. But it got me a lot of opportunities, right? That maybe I wouldn't have otherwise gotten. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Yes. Gretchen Zimmermann: ⁓ one thing leads to another. And ⁓ you know, I I just feel like that's that's kind of how it works. ⁓ I think the other thing that's really important is building your network. I've always been very focused on people and relationships. Relationships are really important to me across business, ⁓ and maintaining those and making them personal where you can. I think, you know, that really helps you too in many ways in the long run. one of the reasons I went back for my master's in business was because they talk a lot about it being a really great network, depending on the school that you can that you can get into. ⁓ and so that was like a a big draw for me. So I I and that's not for everybody, I realize, but ⁓ it's it's a good move if you want to get into leadership, especially, you know, in in the telehealth space and these Silicon Valley companies. ⁓ I feel like it's kind of table stakes at this point. ⁓ Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ yeah. Gretchen Zimmermann: So yeah, those are yeah, yeah, yeah. So the so the so those are just some, I guess, some initial thoughts. But as far as the academy, ⁓ that spokesperson role, ⁓ I just had really focused on building my media presence. Again, saying yes, if someone reaches out to me and they want me to write something or contribute, if I don't have the time, I'm still gonna say yes and make it work. And I'm like, I know. And then you're stressed out sometimes and you're overwhelmed, but Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: the same disease, Gretchen. How do we get rid of the disease? Gretchen Zimmermann: At the end of the day it feels so good when you hit send. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I ⁓ I feel this deep into my core. And I tell my husband every year in January, I'm like, Daniel, I'm gonna say no more. And he's like, Yeah, nice try. Because as soon as I start saying no, I'm like, someone sh has this shiny ball in front of me. I'm like, okay, I'm gonna say yes. I have to say yes. Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Right. I know. Exactly. I think I think that's called boundaries. I've heard it called boundaries, but it's hard. They're loose. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: ⁓ my God. I do think it's it's funny you say those things though, because I feel like if we did an AI transcript of all the guests I've had, right? So in over 50 episodes, I would say 85% of them have the exact same feedback. Say yes, build your network. And that's nothing against what you're saying. I think it's really showing, like, hey, there's this common theme, and that's not out of sheer luck. That's out of Gretchen Zimmermann: Yeah. Yeah. I know, yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Hey, I've been through these roles, I've taken responsibilities, I've pivoted in my career. And it all led to these two core constructs, which is building your network to be able to get you to get another role. Maybe that's a friend who knows who's hiring, and say yes to something you never even thought you could do. Like when I came into the role that I'm in today, I didn't really know anything in regulatory. Like I just had to learn, right? And and you're just gonna be like, yeah, I can do that. Gretchen Zimmermann: Yes. Mm, yep. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I mean, I have the skills to do it. I don't know how to do it, but I will find out how to do it. ⁓ and so I think a lot of dietitians have that like yes mindset and like finding solutions to things that maybe there was no no direct path. So I just think that's super cool. Gretchen Zimmermann: Completely agree. Natural entrepreneurs, like I said. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: It is. And ⁓ man, there's so many people that yeah, you see it across many different people that I know, whether that entrepreneur is within a business or within a private practice or in the media, right? We kind of always have this little edge of I want more. Yeah. So if you had this is my favorite question. I love it. And AI actually helped me generate this question. And I'm like, AI, you're genius. Like Gretchen Zimmermann: That mindset. Yes, a hundred percent. Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: If you had a crystal ball, think of like what could happen. What do you think is coming next to nutrition? Gretchen Zimmermann: Well, of course I'm gonna say AI because that's what I believe. Because that's that is what I believe is next. And I've been really thinking about this lately, though. Honestly, I've been thinking a lot about this. And ⁓ I know that this is polarizing for people still, right? And for various reasons and good reasons. but it is inevitable, right? It's here, it's gonna happen. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: It's true. Gretchen Zimmermann: And so it's like with GLP ones, what side of it do you want to be on, right? Do you want to be on the side where you know people are going to take these drugs regardless? So let's get in there and support them as dietitians. ⁓ yes, I want to be on that side. And I also want to be the side of are we building ⁓ you know, clinically ethically responsible models where AI can exist, assist, but you know, in ways that we can audit them the way that we would a human care team and monitor them and make sure PHI and everything is HIPAA compliant. ⁓ And so I I see that across all different types of workflows in dietetics and in different types, other physicians, right? ⁓ They're already using it. And so ⁓ you know I think it's just a question of where and what is it going to replace. I think it's good in a lot of different ways in the dietitian's workflow. We all, let's be honest, we don't like making meal plans. I don't know a dietitian that likes making a meal plan. I've never met one. Have you? Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: No, I haven't, but I will say a lot of dietitians use that as a side gig, right? So I do think it will take quote unquote take some roles, but it'll also make you more efficient to do other things that you actually do enjoy doing, which are not male plans. Gretchen Zimmermann: That's true. Yeah. Yes, that's right. And I'm not saying that Chat G GPT should create meal plans. I'm not saying that. ⁓ but I'm saying that it can be a supplemental resource, right? If someone has like specific cultural considerations that or you know, food allergies or food sensitivities and they need ideas for different foods that they can eat. It's a lot of work for dietitians to do that. So ⁓ that's potentially one area. But anyway, I could Talk about this for longer than you know what we have allotted here. So I'm not just stop there. Mm-hmm. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I think that AI, you're right. I mean, that is there's been a couple of people with crystal balls, but I think you come at a different angle of how do we use AI in a very, you know, ⁓ monitored way, right? Of like how are we making sure that it is accurate, it's compliant, it can align or mimic a healthcare team when they're doing intervention. So I think there's a lot of opportunity for AI to grow in that way. And I think Gretchen Zimmermann: Yes. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: It's a call to action for dietitians and nutrition experts. Like, how are you leaning in? What does that look like? Are you using AI in your workspace? Or if you're trying to get into new of the new roles, let's say it's food manufacturing or I don't even know what you'd go into, right? How, you know, I feel like if I was hiring someone, I would want to know what their capabilities are related to AI now, right? Like, And if they come to me and they're like, no, I don't use it, I'd be like, all right. Like to me, that is almost you're not leaning in, you're pushing away. It's been here long enough that you could have leaned in. So yeah, well, awesome, awesome conversation, Gretchen. It was great to get to know you and tell your story. And if you like the podcast, make sure you like, subscribe, leave a review. But most importantly, check out the next episode because every episode I bring on a different dietitian and nutrition expert to share their story. Gretchen Zimmermann: Completely agree. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. You as well. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: and give you tips and advice on how to be successful.