By SARAH KOSZYK, MA, RD

Meet Lauren Manganiello, MS, RD, CDN, CPT, who has combined her passion for fitness and nutrition into one perfect package. She is able to train clients as both a personal trainer and nutrition coach to help them reach their ultimate health and wellness goals. – Sarah

What attracted you to the field of fitness and exercise?
Exercise can be so empowering (both in and out of the gym) and also a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. That’s why I love it.

Your Job Title:
Founder/Owner of Lauren Manganiello Nutrition & Fitness; Adjunct Professor in the Dept of Family, Nutrition & Exercise Science at CUNY Queens College

Company you are with now:
Lauren Manganiello Nutrition & Fitness

Website: laurenmanganiello.com

Social Media:
– Twitter: @manganiello_rd
– Instagram: @manganiello_rd
– Facebook: @manganiello.rd

A typical (or not so typical) day in the work-life for you:
My favorite aspect of my career is that no day is ever the same and I thrive off of variety. My days start early. I’ll wake up around 5am since I usually have my first 1:1 client starting at 6am. Depending on the day, I might have 2-3 clients in the morning. Then I’ll usually do my own workout during the late morning. My afternoons consist of a mix of client consults, administrative work, catching up on client notes, networking, writing, conference calls, planning upcoming events, preparing for lecture/class, etc. My evenings will usually consist of either teaching or more 1:1 client meetings.

How did you get your current job in fitness and exercise?
Networking, learning from others, and relationship building. I always knew that I wanted to have my own business. After finishing my Master’s degree and dietetic internship, I started working as a clinical nutritionist in a hospital as well as a personal trainer at a corporate fitness club to further my knowledge and learn the skills that aren’t necessarily taught in a classroom. During that time, I went to conferences and built relationships with others in the field who were doing exactly what I always dreamed of doing. I asked tons of questions and learned from them. When I was ready, I started my own business (combining fitness and nutrition) and it’s grown from there.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
I’ve always had a lot of passion. I love working with people and I thrive off of connecting with others. I’ve been fortunate to find a career where I’m able to help others achieve their goals by connecting with them. A skill that I’ve learned along the way is to be a good listener. We all love to talk but listening is key – especially in the wellness field. What our clients have to say is much more important for their success than what we have to say.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
Never stop learning! Go to conferences and seminars. Network and surround yourself with people who are more successful than you. And get out of your comfort zone – that’s where amazing things start happening!

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be?
Travel :) I recently fell in love with traveling and exploring new countries and places. I’ve been to 5 new countries over the past year.