We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie McKercher, MS, RDN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In the early days of my career as a dietitian and food blogger, I structured my life around work and prioritized business tasks over everything else. I learned the hard way that this mentality quickly leads to burnout and doesn’t necessarily help you earn more or grow your business more quickly. Now, I aim to integrate my work with my personal life more seamlessly. I’m much more realistic about how much I can get done in a single day, and I consider daily acts of self-care (like cooking, going for a hike, or calling a friend) to be a component of my overall productivity. For me, balance is the ability to zoom out regularly to focus on long-term goals and the wellness habits that are essential for reaching and maintaining those goals sustainably.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a registered dietitian, plant-based recipe developer, and the creator of the plant-based food blog, GratefulGrazer.com.

Back in 2014, I was working as a clinical dietitian in an oncology clinic. During consultations, I spent a lot of time encouraging patients to add more plant-based meals to their days, and I was getting more and more into vegetarian cooking in the process. Searching for a little creative release, I started photographing and posting some of my favorite recipes on my brand new food blog, Grateful Grazer.

As a dietitian, my most loved recipes are, of course, nutritious, but my experience in the oncology clinic taught me that food has to also be tasty (and convenient) if it’s ever going to be eaten. I also learned that food provides so much more than its nutritional makeup of carbs, protein, and calories. Food is comfort, nourishment, love, joy, gratitude, culture, and community.

Since 2014, my recipes and quotes have been featured on Food Network, NBC News, Shape, Reader’s Digest, Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Running, and Fitness Magazine, among other online publications in the food and wellness media space.

In July of 2020, I also became a published author. My first book, The College Vegetarian Cookbook is a collection of 150 beginner-friendly recipes for students or anyone looking for simple, plant-based meals.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If we were beginning our trip in Denver, I’d have to start with lunch at my favorite plant-based restaurant, City O’ City. (I recommend the BBQ Bowl with tofu.) The botanical gardens are also a beautiful place to stroll around for an afternoon.

My favorite places in Colorado, though, are outside of the city. I live in Bailey and we have so many beautiful hiking trails in the area. Snowpack Taproom in nearby Conifer is also one of the best places to grab a beer and some nachos.

There are endless places to explore all over the state, whether it’s going on a waterfall hike in Telluride, perusing the produce at Boulder Farmers Market, or skiing in Crested Butte.

For an eventful day trip, I recommend visiting Glenwood Springs. Get tacos at Slope & Hatch, sip an IPA at Casey Brewing and Blending, and then finish off the day with a soak in the hot springs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m part of an amazing mastermind group of fellow female dietitian entrepreneurs who have been building me up and helping me achieve the ever-elusive “work-life balance” for years. We talk on the phone monthly about our business wins, challenges at work, and future life goals. I can’t describe how much their support has meant to me. I highly recommend setting up a mastermind group with peers if you want to take your business to the next level.

Website: https://www.gratefulgrazer.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gratefulgrazer

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

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/gratefulgrazer

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCij4p2xUeC3jBkVzd2En6EQ

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gratefulgrazer?lang=en

Image Credits
Molly Margaret Photography (all images except the final two snapshots in RV and with my dogs)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.