Meet Mary-Catherine LaBossiere | Registered Dietitian & Owner of Defy Nutrition

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary-Catherine LaBossiere and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary-Catherine, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My decision to start my own private practice as a dietitian was driven by a combination of necessity and a desire to serve my newfound community. After relocating for my husband’s career, I found myself facing limited options within my own field, with the nearest relevant opportunities requiring a minimum 1.5-hour commute each way. Initially, I was disheartened by the lack of local employment prospects. However, that challenge soon presented itself as an opportunity to address a gap in my community’s healthcare landscape.

When I first established my private practice, I was one of only two registered dietitians offering independent services in the area. This meant that my fellow community members no longer had to rely solely on hospitals or outpatient clinics to access personalized dietary counseling. My venture initially served as a side hustle to supplement my income, but as demand for my services grew, it transitioned into a full-time business.

What should our readers know about your business?
At Defy Nutrition, I am passionate about helping individuals optimize their health and achieve their nutrition goals through sustainable lifestyle changes. I offer a range of services, including individual nutrition counseling, personalized meal plans, and an online program. I also assist businesses and organizations in providing more value to their employees and customers through interactive nutrition workshops.

What sets me apart from other dietitians is my personal experience in addition to my formal education. I know what it is like to not feel listened to, and I strive to defy that norm by viewing my clients as whole people and truly taking the time to listen. I don’t “give out” goals but instead work with my clients to facilitate goal setting that works for them.

As any entrepreneur will tell you, this path is never easy, but it is absolutely rewarding. I’ve overcome challenges by leaning on peers and support organizations that offer the resources, validation, and encouragement I need during those challenging times.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is such a great question! Colorado Springs is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, like myself, Some of my favorite places in Colorado Springs are Garden of the Gods and Red Rocks Canyon Open Space. There are some amazing locally owned coffee shops as well including Good Neighbors Meeting House, Third Space Coffee, and Dynamo. I especially enjoy supporting small businesses in Old Colorado City, with Bear Creek Regional Park just a couple miles away.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to dedicate this to my mom, whose negative healthcare experience lead me to pursue a career in this field and to continuously fight obesity stigma by treating the person as a whole person, not just a number on the scale.

I am also eternally grateful to the countless individuals and organizations that have played a pivotal role in my professional development. Their support and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping my success as a dietitian and business owner.

Website: https://defy-nutrition.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defy.nutrition/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marycatherinelabossiere/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefyNutrition/

Image Credits
Mad Faith Photography Kira Whitney Photography