DEATS with Deanna: Discussions around Food & Entrepreneurship

Hosted by Deanna Wolfe

Business Health Fitness

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192

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Hey my name is Deanna. I am obsessed with all things disordered eating, food, body confidence, business, and helping YOU become your most empowered self. Most women hate their body, have a broken relationship with food, have been dieting forever and aren't confident in themselves. I'm here to change that. You won't find fluff from me but you will find real life examples of both food and business growth from a girl who has overcome disordered eating and grown almost a million dollar business. This is the DEATS with Deanna podcast. Connect with me: IG: @dietitiandeanna Website: https://dietitiandeanna.com/

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60 recent

August 17, 202649 min

From $5K Months to $300K: How One Dietitian Committed, Quit her FT job and Stopped Chasing the Next Shiny Object

What if the business you're building could make more money, create a bigger impact, and give you more freedom with your family? When Megan joined my Online Entrepreneur Academy, she was working full-time as a dietitian for first responders while building a side business that had already started gaining traction. But there was no real structure behind it. She was creating offers, speaking, and making money, but she knew that if she wanted to turn her side hustle into something bigger, she needed support, strategy, and a vision for what the business could actually become. In this episode, Megan shares how she went from making $35K in her side business to $55K, then $85K, $175K, and now being on track for a $300K year. We talk about the decision to leave a six-figure full-time job, why she waited until the timing and finances were right, and the shifts that helped her move from $6K months to $25K–$30K months. Megan also opens up about being diagnosed with autism as an adult and how understanding her neurodivergence changed the way she approaches business. Instead of forcing herself into strategies that drain her, we've built around her strengths, created stronger boundaries, and found marketing and sales strategies that actually work for the way she operates. We also break down how she diversified beyond traditional one-on-one coaching through speaking, workshops, digital training products, brand partnerships, and B2B contracts. Megan shares why having an incredibly specific niche helped her become a sought-after expert, how she turned speaking engagements into content that builds authority, and why she's now thinking beyond being a dietitian and stepping into the role of CEO. In this episode, I cover: How Megan grew her side business from $35K to being on track for $300K a year Why she continued investing in coaching even after her business started making significant money How her adult autism diagnosis changed the way she works and runs her business Why you don't have to force yourself into marketing strategies that work against your strengths How Megan knew when it was finally time to leave her six-figure full-time job Why she built a financial cushion before making the leap into full-time entrepreneurship The content and sales shifts that helped take her from $6K months to $25K–$30K months How a highly specific niche helped Megan build authority and create opportunities Why speaking became one of the biggest revenue streams in her business How she diversified her income beyond one-on-one coaching Why building a product suite can create opportunities to move clients up and down your offers The difference between thinking like a practitioner and thinking like a CEO Why reinvesting in coaching, specialists, and support has been essential to her growth How Megan is building a business that could eventually become an agency and create jobs for other dietitians Why consistent "messy reps" matter more than waiting until you have everything figured out How entrepreneurship has given Megan more flexibility and time with her daughter What she's changing as she works toward a $500K year and, ultimately, a seven-figure business Connect with Megan: Instagram: @rescue.rd Website: https://www.rescuerd.com/ Listen to our previous episode: Landing Speaking Gigs and Breakdown of an $85k Year To receive my weekly newsletter with more business, marketing, and entrepreneurship insights, send me the word "newsletter" in a DM. And if you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support means more than you know. Connect with Deanna: Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

August 10, 202634 min

She Walked Away From a Membership and Built a High-Ticket Program

What if the niche you've been searching for is already revealing itself through your own story? When Wendy joined my Online Entrepreneur Academy, she was a perimenopause dietitian with more than 20 years of experience, a mid-ticket offer, and a business that had started to feel stagnant. Then, while navigating her own cancer treatment, she began sharing her experience online and everything changed. In this episode, Wendie shares how one vulnerable post opened the door to hundreds of conversations with women navigating cancer treatment and survivorship. Those conversations ultimately led her to pivot her business, create Nourished After Cancer, rethink her offers, and build a program around the deeper support women were actually asking for. We also talk about what she learned from launching her new offer, improving her discovery call process, letting go of low-ticket business models, and finally finding a niche that feels deeply aligned with both her expertise and lived experience. In this episode, I cover: Why Wendie's perimenopause business had started to feel stagnant How sharing her cancer journey changed her messaging and engagement Why listening to conversations in the DMs helped reveal her new niche The power of combining professional expertise with lived experience How Wendy worked through fears around charging for her support Why a "no" on a sales call may simply mean "not right now" What she learned from debriefing and improving each launch How small changes to her discovery call process improved conversions Why people buy when they feel deeply heard and understood The shift from low-ticket offers to a more aligned business model Why staying in the wrong niche or program can carry an opportunity cost How finding the right niche opened the door to partnerships, referrals, and new opportunities Connect with Wendie: Website: https://wendie-taylor-nutrition.circle.so/myprograms Instagram: @nourished.after.cancer To receive my weekly newsletter with more business, marketing, and entrepreneurship insights, send me the word "newsletter" in a DM. And if you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support means more than you know. Connect with Deanna: Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

July 26, 202616 min

The Month My Business Proved It Could Run Without Me

What happens to your business when life demands your full attention? Over the past few weeks, I faced one of the most frightening seasons of my life as my dad underwent open-heart surgery, multiple complications, and several additional procedures. During a time when I needed to be fully present as a daughter, I was also in the middle of a major launch. And that launch still generated nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Not because I pushed harder, spent every day on social media, or tried to manage every detail from a hospital room. It worked because the systems, team, messaging, and launch strategy had already been built. In this personal solo episode, I'm sharing what allowed me to work roughly one hour a day while my business continued operating, my clients remained supported, and my launch reached its goal. In this episode, I cover: How I managed a multiple six-figure launch during a family crisis The automations and workflows that kept my business moving Why building a warm lead pipeline matters before launch week How live trainings supported sales without relying solely on social media Why I reuse proven launch content instead of reinventing everything The importance of clear roles, delegation, and standard operating procedures Why low views do not automatically mean low conversions How strong positioning and messaging make marketing more repeatable The difference between owning a business and building a business that supports your life The question every entrepreneur should ask: What would happen if I had to step away tomorrow? To receive my weekly newsletter with more business, marketing, and entrepreneurship insights, send me the word "newsletter" in a DM. And if you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support means more than you know. Connect with Deanna: Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

July 6, 202644 min

How to Use Storytelling to Grow Your Coaching Business Without Oversharing

Building a strong personal brand does not come from sharing more credentials, creating more content, or following another formula. Often, the most powerful way to stand out online is by learning how to tell the stories that reveal who you are, what you believe, and why your work matters. In this episode, Deanna sits down with Elizabeth Brett, a former NBC reporter turned storytelling coach, to discuss how health professionals and women business owners can use storytelling to build authority, deepen connection, and create content that feels more human in an AI-driven world. Elizabeth shares how to identify your North Star story, how to know what is safe and aligned to share, and why micro-stories may be more powerful than the traditional origin story. Tune in to hear: Why storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to build authority online How health professionals can identify the story that anchors their offer How to know whether you are sharing vulnerably or oversharing The importance of using your own internal compass when deciding what parts of your story to share Why your story should connect to the transformation your offer creates How to navigate stories that involve family members or other people Why many business owners are not telling enough stories or taking enough creative risks The difference between proving your authority and showing your authority through lived experience How to start seeing everyday moments as content and storytelling opportunities How to use AI as a tool to uncover stories without losing your authentic voice Why the traditional long-form origin story is becoming less effective The power of micro-stories and small human moments in building trust How dietitians and health professionals can talk about weight loss, confidence, or personal struggles with integrity How to strip away who you think you need to be and show up with more presence How to build a brand that feels honest, human, and deeply connected to the people you want to serve Connect with Elizabeth: Website: https://www.elizabethsbrett.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsbrett Learn more about Story Alchemy and Elizabeth's storytelling resources: https://www.elizabethsbrett.com Connect with Deanna: Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

June 22, 202636 min

From Filling Her Schedule with Insurance Clients to Freedom & Why Her Marketing Felt Harder Than It Needed To Be

Building a successful nutrition business does not always require more followers, more one-on-one clients, or more hours worked. Sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes from getting clear on who you want to serve, creating offers that align with your passion, and learning how to market and sell with confidence. In this episode, Deanna sits down with registered dietitian Liz to discuss her journey from a busy insurance-based private practice to launching a successful group program for runners. Liz shares how she navigated a niche pivot, overcame fears around selling, created her first signature group offer, and built a business model that gives her more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment as both a business owner and a mom. Tune in to hear: Why Liz decided to shift her focus from disordered eating counseling to performance nutrition for runners How she knew it was time to invest in business coaching after getting stuck just short of her first $10K month The mindset shifts required to stop filling every available hour with one-on-one clients Why creating space in your schedule can actually increase revenue over time The importance of niche clarity and how identifying a specific sub-niche transformed her marketing How speaking directly to experienced runners helped her attract the right clients The difference between posting content consistently versus posting with a clear strategy Common fears practitioners face when considering a niche pivot Why you do not need a large social media following to generate significant revenue How Liz launched her first group program with only around 200 followers on her running-focused account The structure of her signature program, The Run Fuel Method How she sold four spots in her first group launch and generated more than $5,000 in revenue The power of discovery calls and learning how to confidently sell your services How nurturing conversations in DMs led to additional private-pay clients Why private-pay packages created more freedom and sustainability than insurance-only services The pros and cons of working with insurance platforms like Fay The role accountability played in helping her prioritize marketing and business growth activities How reducing one-on-one sessions helped eliminate burnout and restore excitement for her work The impact entrepreneurship can have on family life, flexibility, and being present with young children The biggest lessons she learned about investing in herself and taking action before feeling fully ready Connect with Liz: https://www.harvestnutritionllc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/harvestingnutritionllc/ https://www.instagram.com/runningdietitianliz/ Connect with Deanna: Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

June 15, 202645 min

Can You Actually Say That Online? FTC Rules Every Dietitian Should Know with Sam Vander Wielen

If you're a dietitian, nutrition coach, or online health entrepreneur, understanding the legal side of business is more important than ever. From client contracts and scope of practice to social media claims and marketing ethics, many business owners unknowingly put themselves at risk without realizing it. In this episode, Deanna sits down with legal educator, author, and seven-figure entrepreneur Sam Vander Wielen to discuss the biggest legal mistakes health professionals make when building online businesses. Sam shares her journey from lawyer to health coach to legal educator, helping over 150,000 business owners legally protect and grow their companies. In This Episode, We Discuss: How Sam transitioned from practicing law to building a multi-seven-figure online business The difference between working as a dietitian versus working as a coach Why your professional credentials do not automatically expand your coaching scope of practice Common legal mistakes dietitians and nutrition entrepreneurs make when starting online businesses Why separate business entities may be necessary for private practice and coaching offers The importance of contracts, disclaimers, and clear client boundaries What health professionals can legally say on social media Why words like "cure," "heal," "diagnose," and "treat" can create legal issues How to discuss weight loss, client results, and testimonials without making misleading claims The role of context when sharing transformation stories and success results Why trust has become more important than ever in online marketing Sam's simple content strategy that supports consistent seven-figure growth How email marketing became the cornerstone of her business The structure behind her recent $500,000 launch Why simplicity often outperforms complexity in business growth The growing concerns around AI cloning, voice replication, and content ownership Legal considerations creators should understand before signing brand contracts Connect with Sam: Sam Vander Wielen's book: When I Start My Business I'll Be Happy Sam's podcast: On Your Terms Sam Sidebar Newsletter The Ultimate (Legal) Bundle Instagram: @samvanderwielen

June 8, 202645 min

My Mom's Side of the Story: Overcoming My Eating Disorder and Reinventing Herself After Kids

In this episode, I'm sitting down with someone who has seen every version of me...before the business, before entrepreneurship, before healing my relationship with food, and even before I really knew who I was. My mom joins me for a conversation about motherhood, reinvention, resilience, and what it was like watching me navigate some of the hardest seasons of my life. Together, we talk about my eating disorder recovery from her perspective, the challenges and joys of raising three children, and her own incredible story of starting over in her 50s. After spending years as a pharmacist, my mom made the courageous decision to return to school and become a nurse proving that it's never too late to pursue the life you truly want. In this episode, we discuss: What I was like as a child and the early signs of determination and independence How gymnastics shaped my mindset, work ethic, and drive My mom's experience supporting me through an eating disorder and what helped most during recovery The importance of seeking help early when someone is struggling with mental health or disordered eating The realities of being both a working mom and a stay-at-home mom Why community matters so much during motherhood My mom's journey of leaving pharmacy and returning to school to become a nurse in her 50s What it feels like to reinvent yourself later in life The similarities between entrepreneurship and pursuing a second career How to support your children in following their passions (even when you don't fully understand them) My ongoing thoughts about having a third child and how family decisions evolve over time Why there is no "perfect" path when it comes to motherhood, career, or life Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

June 1, 202640 min

His Sales were Slow… Then Made $76K

Have you ever felt like you're working harder than ever in your business, but still not seeing the results you want? In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Greg, better known online as The Ski PT. Greg helps skiers recover from injuries and get back on the mountain with confidence, but what makes his story so powerful is the transformation he experienced inside Online Entrepreneur Academy. When Greg joined OEA, he wasn't new to business. He had already worked with multiple coaches, built an audience of nearly 200,000 followers, created offers, and was serving clients. But despite all of that, he was working constantly, spending time on things that weren't actually moving his business forward, and feeling the pressure of a highly seasonal business model. Together, we discuss how he went from chasing every opportunity and managing a time-consuming free community to focusing on the needle movers that actually drive revenue and impact. We talk about simplifying his business, refining his messaging, creating a launch strategy that worked for his audience, and building a predictable system that helped him generate a $76,000 launch. Tune in to hear: • How Greg built a successful online business serving injured skiers • Why having a large audience doesn't automatically lead to sales • The mistake of creating a free community that became a major time drain • How refining his niche and messaging transformed his conversions • The Instagram Story strategy that generated qualified leads • Why understanding pain points is more important than simply educating your audience • The systems that helped him go from inconsistent revenue to a $76,000 launch • What healthcare professionals need to know about building an online business • How to identify your true needle movers and stop wasting time • The mindset shifts that create more freedom, flexibility, and confidence as an entrepreneur Connect with Greg: https://www.instagram.com/the_ski_pt/ Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

May 11, 202638 min

Why This Speech Therapist Stopped Trading Hours for Income

Building a business while raising a family can feel like constantly being pulled in two directions and this conversation is such an honest look at what it takes to create something sustainable without losing yourself in the process. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Victoria Dertouzos, speech language pathologist, private practice owner, and creator of Stuttering Therapy Academy, for a powerful conversation about building a business around clarity, purpose, and impact instead of pressure and burnout. Victoria shares how she went from managing a growing private practice and new motherhood to creating an online education program that's changing the way speech therapists support children and adults who stutter. We also dive into the emotional side of entrepreneurship, navigating imposter syndrome, balancing motherhood with ambition, and why choosing a highly specific niche became one of the biggest advantages in growing her business. Victoria opens up about the deeper mission behind her work, the misconceptions surrounding stuttering, and how helping people feel seen and accepted has become the foundation of everything she teaches. Tune in to hear: How Victoria built a successful niche private practice specializing in stuttering therapy Why becoming a mother completely shifted the way she viewed business and time The hidden challenges of running a service-based business that relies fully on you What speech therapists are often missing when it comes to supporting clients who stutter Why stuttering therapy is about connection and quality of life, not "fixing" someone How Victoria transitioned from one-on-one work into an online practitioner program The role clarity played in helping her build a more sustainable business model How imposter syndrome showed up when launching her online offer Why having a smaller, highly specific niche became her greatest advantage What changed in her content strategy that helped her grow and convert online The emotional impact of helping children and adults feel accepted exactly as they are Why "just go for it" became the mindset that changed everything for her Connect with Victoria: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stutteringtherapyslp/ Website: https://www.stutteringtherapynj.com/ Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale

May 4, 202640 min

She Built a 7-Figure Business… and Pissed People Off Doing It

If you've ever wondered what it really looks like to build a successful business in the online nutrition space without following the "perfect" path, this episode is going to challenge everything you think you know about entrepreneurship. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Megan Hansen, registered dietician and founder of a seven-figure nutrition business built almost entirely through organic marketing and community. Megan shares her unfiltered journey from struggling with her own relationship with food to building a business that helps thousands of women approach fat loss without guilt, shame, or restriction. If you've ever felt pressure to do business a certain way, grow faster, or follow someone else's blueprint, this conversation will show you what happens when you choose alignment over expectation and why that might be the most powerful move you can make. Tune in to hear: How Megan's personal struggles with food shaped her approach to coaching and business What most dieticians are not taught about behavior change and why it matters The difference between restrictive weight loss and sustainable fat loss Why micro habits, not "all or nothing" plans, create real lasting change How Megan niched into weight loss in a space that often avoids it Why she walked away from a large team and scaled her business back on purpose How she transitioned from one-on-one burnout to scalable programs The role mentorship played in building her seven-figure business What's working now in marketing and why she simplified her strategy Why email and Instagram stories are still her highest-converting channels The biggest lie dieticians are told about making money in the industry Why following your joy might be the most strategic decision you make Connect with Megan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megan.the.dietitian/ Instagram Community: https://www.instagram.com/mydietitian/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megan.thee.dietitian Instagram: @dietitiandeanna and @online.entrepreneur.academy Want my help and strategies to have $30, $50 or $100K launches of your online program? Apply to OEA Scale