Navigating Work and Motherhood

Pursuing Private Practice

Welcome to the Pursuing Private Practice podcast!

Join Jennifer McGurk, the CEO of Pursuing Private Practice, and Deanna Belleny Lewis, a registered dietitian and co-founder of Diversified Dietetics. Deanna opens up about the first year of postpartum life, navigating the tricky balance of motherhood and meaningful work. In this episode, she shares what it really looked like to “balance” the many hats she wears.

Deanna shares her journey through pregnancy, postpartum, and the challenges of balancing her professional roles with motherhood

Whether you’re a parent, a dietitian business owner, or both, this honest conversation will remind you that growth often happens in transitions and that you don’t have to do it all alone.

1. Integration Over Balance: Deanna emphasizes the importance of integrating work and life rather than striving for a perfect balance. By focusing on what truly matters and setting realistic goals, we can create a fulfilling life that accommodates both our personal and professional aspirations.
2. Building a Supportive Community: Surrounding ourselves with a strong support network is crucial. Whether it's family, friends, or colleagues, having people who understand and support our journey can make all the difference.
3. Embracing Change and Flexibility: Motherhood teaches us to be adaptable and open to change. Deanna highlights the importance of being flexible and embracing the evolving nature of both motherhood and business.
4. Pursuing Passion with Purpose: Deanna's dedication to her work showcases the impact of pursuing a career full of passion. By aligning work with values, we can all create meaningful change.

Timestamps:

• [03:41] Career Impact of Motherhood: How Deanna's career was affected by motherhood, highlighting the significant changes and adjustments she had to make.
• [05:16] Maternity Leave Planning: Deanna talks about her approach to maternity leave, including the support from her team and the guilt she felt about stepping away from work.
• [08:43] Team Support and Guilt: Deanna reflects on the support she received from her team and the guilt associated with not being able to contribute fully during her maternity leave.
• [11:01] Balancing Roles: The conversation explores the concept of work-life integration versus balance, with Deanna sharing her strategies for managing multiple roles.
• [16:38] Future Vision: Deanna discusses her vision for a more easeful life, focusing on setting herself up for a balanced future while managing current responsibilities.
• [20:02] Support Systems: The importance of support systems in both career and motherhood is emphasized, with Deanna acknowledging the role of her team and community.
• [23:07] Identity Shifts: Deanna shares her evolving identity as a mother and professional, highlighting the unexpected joys and challenges of motherhood.
• [31:37] Vision for Motherhood: Deanna outlines her vision for motherhood and what that means for her and her family.

Deanna’s journey highlights how staying rooted in your values can guide both personal growth and professional evolution, especially during life’s biggest transitions.

Deanna Belleny Lewis is a Weight-Inclusive Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Public Health practitioner currently living in the Bay Area. She is the co-founder of Diversify Dietetics, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the racial and ethnic diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering nutrition leaders of color.

Deanna is passionate about creating system-level changes that advance equity, especially for Black and Brown communities. Before living in the Bay she worked for Harvard Medical School's Center for Primary Care as the Assistant Director of Systems Transformation. She has trained numerous allied health teams in leadership and professional skill development with an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens.

She is the co-author of Embracing Diversity & Embodying Inclusive Leadership in Nutrition and Dietetics, a chapter in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Effective Leadership and Management textbook. In her free time, she’s either exploring the outdoors with her husband, Mikal, and daughter, Ella, or sipping a latte and savoring pastries while listening to a Tiny Desk concert.

Want more from Deanna?

Visit her website.

Follow her on Instagram @deanna.rdn

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