Experience

Alexia knows first-hand how difficult it can be to change your food choices. She survived a heart attack in 2007 and – in addition to tightening up on her food and activity habits – she decided to become a nutritionist and health coach to help others learn how to change their food choices to improve their health (or just make life easier!). Since then, Alexia has worked with hundreds of people on improving their nutrition quality, breaking their food rules, transitioning to a new way of eating (plant-based, low-sodium, Mediterranean, gluten-free, etc.), and managing their health and weight – even those with a crazy schedule, those on a tight food budget, and those concerned with the quality and additives in their food products.

N.E.W. Motivation Coaching was created by Alexia to coach people to manage health conditions or reach personal health goals through one-on-one coaching, education and support groups, and hands-on practical workshops and classes. Previously, she has worked in private practice and with the University of North Florida as the Campus Wellness Dietitian, an Adjunct Instructor, and a preceptor for master’s level dietetic interns and undergraduate nutrition students. Her speaking and writing experience can be found below.

Credentials

Alexia is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentialed through the Commission on Dietetic Registration and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist with Florida Department of Health (license ND 6225). Her Certified Health Coach credential is from the American Council on Exercise. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition & Dietetics and a Bachelor of Science in Health from the University of North Florida. From her previous career, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Professional Management from Nova Southeastern University.

Writing

Celiac Disease: Real Life Nutrition Strategies to Improve Symptoms and Heal Your Gut, Smashwords, 2017.

200 Surefire Ways to Eat Well and Feel Better, Fair Winds Press, 2014. Co-author with other University of North Florida faculty.

Professional Development Resources (continuing education courses)

Lactose Intolerance, Basics & Beyond, February 2014
Celiac Disease, Basics & Beyond, March 2013

The Florida Times Union newspaper

The Goods: Myths and Facts about Acai Berries, October 2013
The Goods: Myths and Facts about Pluots, July 2013

904Fitness magazine

“D”-vine Orange Chipotle Cod (recipe), June 2014
Running on Fats, March 2014
Genetics: An Old Excuse on its Way Out, February 2013
Pumpkin Love, October 2012

LiveStrong.com: Content Provider

How to Form Lobster Tails from Pastries, March 2012 (Has been updated by another author)
Toscanini Calories, December 2011(Has been updated by another author)
What is Biosil? October 2011

Jacksonville Dietetic Association Journal: Newsletter Editor and Writer

Whose Plate Is It Anyway? (see page 2), August 2011
Gardening: Before One Can Harvest, One Must Plant (see page 6), October 2010
Media Corner: Nutrition Books and Web sites for 2010 (see page 3), January 2010
Happy Healthy Holidays! (see page 2), co-authored, November 2009

Examiner.com: Jacksonville Nutrition Examiner

Water: A Follow-Up on the Recommended Daily Intake, August 2010
Water: How Much to Drink and Why It Is Important to Drink Water, August 2010
Registered Dietitians Help Create Healthy New Lifestyle Habits in Group or Individual Settings, July 2010
Summer Lunch Program Addresses Food Insecurity in Jacksonville Florida, July 2010
Smoothies as a Meal Replacement in Jacksonville Florida, July 2010
Where to Get Information about Nutrition, June 2010

Note: Publications prior to February 2012 were written while Alexia was studying and interning to become an dietitian.

Speaking

Alexia has delivered workshops that range from interactive, hands-on formats to lecture-style presentations. Her audiences have been as young as 7th grade and as seasoned as seniors. She has spoken to church groups, local businesses, sororities, college athletes, cardiac rehabilitation programs, and professional organizations among others.

Past topics include:

The A.S.P.I.R.E. Strategy to Plan Healthy Meals
Heart-Healthy Eating Strategies
What’s In My Food? Deciphering Food Labels and Ingredients Lists
Cooking Tips and Recipe Revisions
Cooking Demonstration: Beans, Beans, They’re Good for your Heart

Alexia is media trained through Communications 21 and is available for broadcast interviews on the topics of food, nutrition, and health/wellness in the Jacksonville and surrounding area. She is an effective and personable speaker.

Starting Your Business: Panel speaker for Using Social Media and Marketing to Promote your Business
Personal Experience with Heart Disease: Panel speaker for Pink Goes Red for a Day: Sisters with a Heart-to-Heart Connection
Let’s Talk Nutrition: What Can Fitness Trainers Tell Their Clients If They Aren’t Dietitians? Requested by UNF Student Wellness Center fitness trainers
Eat for the Planet: Eating Sustainably and Busting Myths about Vegetarianism: Panel speaker for National Nutrition Month/Garbage on the Green event at UNF
Choose My Plate and Fast Food Choices: Guest speaker for summer camp for inner city 7th-8th graders
Why Reinvent the Wheel? Policies that Address Food Issues: Guest speaker for Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Steering Committee meeting