DEATS with Deanna: Discussions around Food & Entrepreneurship

Hosted by Deanna Wolfe

Business Health Fitness

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Episodes

188

Latest episode

Jun 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

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

April 27, 202637 min

Why So Many Women Feel Dismissed in Healthcare (And What to Do About It)

If you've ever walked out of a doctor's appointment feeling dismissed, confused, or like something was missed… this episode is going to change how you think about your healthcare. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Nikki Sapiro Vinckier, a former OB-GYN physician assistant turned reproductive health advocate and founder of Take Back Trust. Nikki pulls back the curtain on what's actually happening inside the healthcare system, why so many women feel unheard, and what it really takes to advocate for yourself in a system that wasn't built with you in mind. If you've ever felt like you needed to be a "good patient" instead of an informed one, this conversation will show you how to take your power back—and why that matters now more than ever. Tune in to hear: Why the healthcare system is designed for emergencies—not everyday quality of life The biggest gaps in women's health (and why they're still being overlooked) How insurance models quietly impact the care you receive The difference between "good" providers, "bad" providers, and systemic issues Why you may need more than just your OB (and what other support to consider) The truth about weight stigma in healthcare—and what should happen instead What consent-based care actually looks like in practice The most overlooked stages of women's health: adolescence and perimenopause Why talking about perimenopause and miscarriage changes everything How Nikki built a platform by speaking honestly (without fear-mongering) The mindset shift from being a "good patient" to becoming your own advocate Why your healthcare should be a collaboration—not a one-size-fits-all solution The three things every woman should know about her body How empathy (not division) is the path forward in women's health Connect with Nikki: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkivinck/ Website: https://www.nikkivinck.com/ Nikki's book: We Deserve More: Why Reproductive Healthcare Is Broken and What You Can Do About It 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

April 20, 202637 min

How a Dietetic Student Built a $10K/Month Coaching Business

If you've ever felt like you need more credentials, more time, or more experience before you're "allowed" to start your business… this episode is going to challenge everything you've been telling yourself. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Alli Bollinger, who went from inconsistent, unpredictable income to building a multi–five-figure coaching business all while still in school. She shares how she stopped "posting and praying," created real structure in her business, and turned her personal story into a powerful, profitable niche. If you've been waiting for the "right time" to start, grow, or scale your business, this conversation will show you what's actually possible when you decide to go all in before you feel ready. Tune in to hear: • Why you don't need to wait for a degree or certification to start making money • How Alli went from inconsistent $3K–$10K months to predictable $12K+ months • The shift from "posting and hoping" to having a real client acquisition strategy • What actually changed when she stopped guessing and started following a plan • How she signed 12 one-on-one clients from a single launch • Why confidence in business comes from clarity, not more content • The truth about building a business in a sensitive niche like eating disorder recovery • How sharing your story can create trust (instead of the judgment you fear) • Why one-on-one coaching was the best place for her to scale (not more offers) • The biggest misconception students have about needing to follow a "traditional" career path • How she balances school, clients, content, and still maintains flexibility • Why having a plan removes desperation and increases conversions • The mindset shift that helped her stop fearing inconsistent income Connect with Alli: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_spoonful/ TikTok: @your_spoonful 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

March 10, 202614 min

3 Shifts I'm Seeing in Selling on Social Media in 2026

If you're showing up on social media consistently but not seeing consistent sales, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm breaking down three major shifts happening in online marketing and social media selling in 2026 and why many entrepreneurs are struggling to convert followers into paying clients. I'm sharing the exact content and marketing shifts she's teaching inside her programs that are helping entrepreneurs build authority, grow engaged audiences, and hit consistent five-figure months. If you want to stand out online, position yourself as an expert, and turn your content into clients, these strategies will help you rethink your approach to social media in 2026. Tune in to hear: • Why relatable content alone is no longer enough to grow your business • The shift from being "relatable" to becoming a thought leader in your niche • How to use trending topics and cultural moments to position yourself as an authority • Why case studies and client transformations are essential for building trust • The reason short-form content alone won't convert buyers anymore • How live trainings, workshops, podcasts, and long-form content increase sales • Why building proximity and connection with your audience matters more than ever • The biggest mistake creators make: posting broad content for everyone • Why buyers want to work with specialists, not generalists • How to structure content buckets so your audience knows exactly what you're known for • Why tips and educational posts are losing effectiveness in 2026 • The power of "calling out" content that speaks directly to your ideal client • Why followers do not equal revenue and what actually drives sales online Register for Our Free Training: Nail Your Niche to Make Your First 10k Month 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

March 2, 202643 min

Is Your Niche 'Too Small'? This Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) Made $28K

What shifts when you stop trying to help everyone and finally build your business around the women you are truly meant to serve? In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Forbes-Johnson, clinical nutritionist and women's hormone specialist, to talk about niching into perimenopause, raising her prices, and building a premium one-on-one offer that actually delivers life-changing results. Sophie shares how her own journey with endometriosis, surgery, and even chemical menopause shaped her passion for women's health and how getting clear on her messaging helped her go from spinning her wheels to selling eight high-ticket packages in just a few months. We unpack the realities of perimenopause, including the symptoms women are told are "normal," why personalized care matters more than ever, and how shifting from scattered offers to one signature six-month program completely changed her business. We also talk about comparison, pricing confidence, and the mindset shift that helped her step into her role as part of the solution in women's healthcare. Tune in to hear: How Sophie transitioned from a 20-year media career into clinical nutrition What her experience with endometriosis and chemical menopause taught her about women's hormones The biggest gaps in perimenopause care and why personalized testing and support matter The symptoms women do not realize are hormone related Why she eliminated scattered offers and committed to one six-month signature program The pricing shift that moved her from 3K to 4.5K packages How she sold eight high-ticket clients by refining her messaging, not posting more The content strategy that actually converted, focused on pain points and real conversations The business boundary that changed everything, no more comparison, only collaboration Connect with Sophie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophieforbesjohnson/ Website: https://www.sophisticatednutrition.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

February 23, 202614 min

Clients Ghosting, Growing Families & Real Talk About Business

What do you do when brand deals fall through, clients ghost you, and you start wondering… is it me? Behind the scenes of the last few weeks, things have felt heavy. Two brand partnerships pulled out last minute. A six-year partnership ended. Clients committed and backed out. Someone said she was ready to buy… and then disappeared without a word. In this episode, I'm sharing what it really looks like to build a seven-figure brand when success and rejection coexist in the same week. This is a conversation about business resilience, brand volatility, human inconsistency, online trust, and what it means to build something sustainable in 2026 and beyond. Tune in to hear: What it feels like when brand partnerships pull out unexpectedly Clients committing, paying, and then wanting to back out The emotional impact of being ghosted after a sales call Business rejection versus personal identity Why success and disappointment can coexist in the same season The pressure of decision-making in motherhood The future of online brands in the AI era Why likes don't matter but trust does Selling on social media in 2026 and what's shifting Building resilience instead of reacting to rejection Why mentorship matters most during uncertain seasons 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