23. The Acrobatic Yogi Registered Dietitian | Valerie Della Longa Part 1

Listen to how culinary medicine expert Valerie Della Longa and I got to work on a Vegan food truck during our Dietetic Internship! Valerie now works full time as a corporate dietitian. After work you can find her working on her online nutrition business, experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, dancing, or doing yoga.
Visit Valerie's website www.valeriedlnutrition.com
TikTok & IG @valeriedlnutrition

Special thanks to my AMAZING friend Michelle for her part in producing this episode.

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Transcript

Roxxi: Hello, everyone. Welcome to many faces, many places. I hope everyone's having a great day joining us today is my dear friend, Valerie Della Longa. And she will be speaking to us about a few topics, including how she got started in her journey to nutrition and dietetics. Being a Yogi and yoga teacher. And we'll talk a little bit about more deep and personal into her dating life later on. Hey Valerie.

Valerie: Hi Roxxi. Thank you so much for having me, honestly, when you told me you're starting a podcast. I'm like, if anyone's gonna start a podcast, like Roxxi's perfect for it. Like yours, your voice is so like soothing to listen to. And I looked up to you in grad school. So I was so happy a that you started and that you asked me to be a part of it. So I'm so happy to be here.

Roxxi: Aw, thanks so much for the encouragement. I know you're a fellow podcast, lover like myself, so I'm super excited to have you here speaking with us today. So we'll jump right into it. Do you wanna tell the listeners a little bit about yourself and what you're here to talk to us about today?

Valerie: Yes, absolutely. So like Roxxi said, I'm a register a dietitian and We met in graduate school, but I guess back up a little bit behind that. Yeah. I'm from Houston, Texas, and that's where I reside now. And I currently work in food service, corporate nutrition, but I do many things. I'm a dancer. I do a little bit of acting. I've done all kinds of things. I, I love traveling, but I'm a really big foodie I'm so I'm sure we'll get into and. Yeah. Where do you wanna start Roxxi? How we met or just kind of like my upbringing?

Roxxi: Yeah. Let's start from, let's start from the beginning. How you grew your passion about yoga and nutrition.

Valerie: Oh, yeah. I forgot that I was a yoga teacher, that's pretty important part, but yeah. So I guess I've always been interested in food ever since I was little I am Italian and my family used to have an Italian restaurant in New Mexico and Albuquerque. And so I kind of grew up in a kitchen in that way.

And my uncle and my grandma taught me a lot about cooking. And from there I kind of taught my own self to cook. So story goes when I was six years old, I decided to become a vegetarian and it like blows people's minds that I decided that early on. So from my early age, I kind of had to eat differently than other people.

And at the time I'm really surprised. I'm so, so surprised this day. But my parents like, let me stay vegetarian cuz in a world of meat eaters, it wasn't always easy, but they were really supportive. And just let me kind of be, so then I kind of taught myself how to cook and I really looked up to like Giada De Laurentiis and Alton brown.

Like the food network was like my, like go-to. So that's where I kind of shifted more into the nutrition side of things. Cuz initially it was more like. Junk food vegetarian. Like literally I would go to McDonald's and have like French fries and ice cream, like no judgment, you know, that's, that's, everyone's on a journey with their nutrition, but but I took a AP biology class in high school and I really we went over nutrition.

I'm like, wow, this is actually really cool. And what you eat can actually impact your health. So I. Kind of combining my love for cooking and what I knew, like what I have like grown up with and just being vegetarian. I kind of shifted to more wanting to learn about nutrition. And so that led me to study nutrition at A and M, Texas A and M. Woo for all you Aggies listening out there. From there graduated with honors and went on to do a dietetic internship, which is where I met Roxxi. And she was a class above me and we were in a pretty, I would say pretty rigorous. Wouldn't you say Roxxi? That kid was pretty busy, huh? In our, in our internship. I would definitely say so.

Roxxi: Yes. I'm very thankful for the program we were selected to be in. Cuz you have to apply like people who aren't in nutrition careers, they don't understand that you have to apply to be selected to be a part of a dietetics internship and the luckily Valerie and I were, and she was a class under me and we had maybe 10 girls in each class and I say, girls just.

Because the world of dietetics there's so few males yeah. That wanna become dietitians. So any male listeners out there, hopefully this encourages you, but yeah, I would say our program was very rigorous, but it had a lot to offer. We had a lot of features that a lot of other schools didn't, for example, we had a holistic garden, which I still talk about to this.

Day. I still remember the things we've learned about growing produce and organic farming. And it was an urban garden too set in the center of the medical center in Houston. So it was just concrete, everywhere, but then out of nowhere, there's this sanctuary. And I really took a lot from that experience. So I have a lot to thank for.

Our school. Let's just give a shout out. It's UT school of public health in Houston, Texas medical center. So that's where Valerie and I met. And I'm really thankful that we met through that program and we've had a great friendship ever since. 

Valerie: Oh, for sure. And I will say any, any, I don't know, who's like kind of our audience listening, but anyone, any dietetic intern or future dietetic intern definitely look into that per program, especially if you want something different than nutrition for your masters.

So I think, I don't think mentioned, but it was a combined program. So you don't. I guess, well, we were grandfathered in now you have get a master's, but basically would go to classes and then we'd do the in internship at the same time. And so we got our masters in public health and that was really cool.

I thought it was such a different coming from such a scientific background. It was really nice to kind of get a really wide exposure of epidemiology and biostat, which, you know, was a hard, but we learned a lot. I felt like an environment. And so, and like Roxxi said, like, We had a holistic garden and that was so cool because it was very, it was stressful.

But you know, after the end of our classes, we got to go into the garden and like, Like prune some basil and then get to take it home and cook with it. And then we also like a state of the art, like really fancy, like kitchen, where we like taught medical students how to cook. And I always like kind of brag about that and like, I mean, just cuz it's, it's really cool to kind of get that food as medicine, like especially medical students and doctors don't get that education.

It's just, there's just not really room for it in their curriculum. So I was really happy to be a part of That and my favorite rotation, which is possibly because of Roxxi was working on a vegan food truck. And that's also a really fun story to tell, but yeah It's now a restaurant here in Houston called Verdine.

So anyone looking for plant based food? I, I am very biased, but I also it's like the best like vegan food I've ever had and Rox. Cause we had one in one rotation where we got to work wherever we wanted to within reason. And then Rox he's like, oh, we're gonna a food truck. And I'm like, I wanna do that.

So Rox was a role model in many ways. And Stephanie, the chef I learned so much from her and she's a, a dietitian and a chef and vegan. So learning how you can You know, serve so many people and not only just like vegan food, but actually make it healthy. It was a really like, I guess, beautiful experience and super grateful for like everything that I've learned.

And yeah, people don't always understand the difference between dietitian and nutritionist is, but we yeah, we did the grad school. We did the internship, but then we sat for the exam and studied the exam and passed it. And now we're all RD's. 

Roxxi: Yeah, I'm glad you brought that up. So Verdine the restaurant now is started out as a food truck called Ripe and had a big red tomato on the side of it.

If anyone's from Houston and have seen it around. But I actually found chef Stephanie Hoban online before I even went to Houston to do my internship. I already knew about her. Because I was looking up vegan food in Houston, cuz obviously I'm vegan. I'm gonna look for vegan restaurants anytime I go somewhere.

And I that's how I found Stephanie and she's not only a chef, but a dietitian. So that's how I was able to reach out to her, to do my specialty rotation through. And then I had a great experience. So then I told Valerie about it and I'm glad to hear that. That was your favorite rotation. It's the first time I hear that from you. 

Valerie: Yeah. I, I think I'm a bit of an atypical unconventional RD as one of the podcasts I listen to Mission, but yeah, I, I just like that it wasn't wasn't clinical. Clinical was never really for me. And so I really like just being hands on with the food and I would say to any dietetic intern, if there's something you wanna do, like do it, like.

You just ask for it. You may not get, get it initially. But like I said, Roxxi saw opportunity and she took it and I just kind of, she kind of paved the way for me, but really it's it's, it's what you make of it. So try to try to do something you you're really gonna be interested in, but yeah, I loved it.

Absolutely loved it. 

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So, how did you get into yoga and the passion for nutrition? 

Valerie: Yeah. Yeah. Wow. My life's so intertwined, but basically in college I grew up dancing. Well, I started doing like gymnastics when I was like in middle school and then I, I was on the dance team in high school and I just found that I was so like, I'm not good at sports.

I'll preface that like, don't pick me on your team for like kickball or anything. I, I will not help you win, but dancing came very intuitive to me. I too intuitively to me. Wow. Okay. What ever that word is? And then in college, like I just like didn't really have time for dance. I got like really stressed out and then I just kind of like, I, that stress caused a, like a lot of health issues.

And so I wasn't really. In a place to dance anymore, but I just kind of stumbled in a yoga class one day at the YMC A and I'm my now like mentor, shout out Mia, all you, Katie yogis know who that is. But she taught me like pretty much everything I knew and I just. I fell in love with it. I fell in love with that, how it reminded me of dance.

Cause a lot of the moves are very similar. If you just name it something different and then flex your foot instead of pointing it. So that's always the hard. Like my yoga teacher's like "no flex your foot". But I'm like, but it's so it's hard for me too, cause I'm always wanting to point it from dance, but I love the not only physical benefits from it.

Obviously you get the amazing stretch and, it does, it does build a strength, especially core strength. I will say a lot of like. Like both people, like, I mean, yeah. Males and females would come in my class and like, you know, they're very like muscular, but they couldn't hold like a proper, like Yogi, like plank I'm like, you okay?

Like what's up? But it there's just there's, it's, it’s harder than people think to actually engage the muscles you need to do to jump through your hands, to do a proper handstand. So I love the challenge of it. And for the next two years, I just like really dove into it into my practice in college.

I started when I was 19 and then at age 21, I found a a yoga teaching program here in Houston. So I got certified at the yoga Institute of Houston and that was an amazing experience. I met the best people and been teaching now for six, I will say, and I've gone through different cycles of my life, where I've done group classes.

Right now. And I kind of do I do different styles. So vinyasa is kind of like my baby's like most that's the most popular one in case people don't know. So like black Swan people go to studio in Houston. It's just the one where you're kind of flowing constantly. But I've been through like an AcroYoga phase, but then I got injured and had wrist surgery.

That was fun. And then I've been. I do. I've done like all kinds of yoga, Ash Tanga. I've kind of gotten more into the meditation part of it now. And I know I really like that. And when covid started, I stopped doing group classes and now I just do privates. And I really like it that way. I think in this season, in my life I have so much other stuff going on, so I'm really happy with that schedule.

But I just found that the. Like, so the physical benefits and then the mental, emotional benefits of it as well. Just finding, finding stillness in a world of chaos, because everyone's so busy all the time. And the hardest part of the class is to sit at the end to meditate because no one wants to sit still everyone's on their phone all the time, including myself, but just finding that, that stillness that's it's, it's a really just magical like thing that.

That I found. So I love it. Have you, you do, do you do yoga Roxxi? 

Roxxi: Yes. I can't believe you would ask me that. 

Valerie: Well, I, I love, I always see you. She like posted like strength, videos on like, dang, like she's bench pressing, like more than I ever will, but 

Roxxi: My bench pressure is pretty weak. I'm working on it. 

Valerie: It looks good on Instagram. So…

Roxxi: Thanks. Yeah, no I don't post as much yoga related things as you do, because you're just a freak. Like you're so acrobatic. I'm always like dang Valerie should join us circus. 

Valerie: I've done a circus arts performing company did actually hire me contracting for a little bit. For before COVID. I got to perform at events and that was so much fun.

So basically they, they, they hand painted these painted these costumes. I'd do like acrobatic type things, like at like big shows and like company of parties. And that was like a blast. So, and another life I would've gone to a contortionist school, but decided to get a degree, go to grad school instead, but. 

Roxxi: You're too yeah, you're too smart to only focus your energies on one thing. 

Valerie: Well, I can, I mean, I'm gonna break my leg, but I can break a leg and still work, but like, you know, I think it's it's a great circus arts performing arts is like amazing, but I wanted to have that kind of. Stable career too, but no, I still, I still love it and I am, I am hyper mobile.

So it is, it is easier for me. It's I'm naturally flexible. So people make like, like, oh, you're so flexible. I'm like, yeah. I mean, I do work every day. I, I, I work really, really hard to get to where I am, but like I do have that, that genetic ability too. So that helps, that helps. 

Roxxi: Is that a thing hypermobile? 

Valerie: So yeah, people like, “oh, you're double jointed.”

Double jointed. It is like per my doctor, she said that like the joints. Actually like come apart then come back together. I'm just like hyper mobile. So, I mean, this is, I shouldn't do this cause I had yoga's really hard on your wrist. I had a wrist surgery, but like, you know, I can just, I can just bend further than most people can, but hypermobility is I thing, and it kind of led me into, which will get into too is kind of my niche and dietetics, which.

It's kind of like kind of more high anxious, like gut problems, because there's a correlation with people who are hyper mobile and just we're more prone to anxiety, which is really interesting. I found, I mean, we all are, but yes, it's definitely a thing to answer your question. 

Roxxi: Oh wow. We're gonna have to do a deep dive on that topic. Cause I wanna learn more about that. 

Valerie: It could be a whole ‘nother podcast, but yeah. 

Roxxi: But yeah, to answer your question, I do do yoga. I was more consistent with it. Before, but then I got into weight lifting and then I got addicted to weightlifting . 

Valerie: it's beautiful. If you can find a balance, cuz the two really, really compliment each other.

So I've learned you can't I'm like, oh, I'll just be super flexible. But what happened was I, I gain muscle really easily, but I lose it very easily. If you don't, you need strength, you need before flexibility. Because if you don't, if you're more muscles can't engage in the way that they need to, to hold even the splits, like you're risking your yourself to injury.

So strength. Will come before flexibility. But even I say people who are like, not yogis, but y'all are really into like strength training. That's awesome. Like just once a week, just pop on a YouTube video or DM me. And we can talk about some private classes, you know, whatever. But if any way you can integrate stretching, it's gonna, it's gonna progress your, your sport and your case weightlifting. 

Roxxi: Definitely. I definitely believe in a marriage between any physical activity. So yoga, dance, hiking, sports, weightlifting, swimming. I love swimming too. So those are all cycling. Anything that you can do that. Incorporates different muscle groups and different styles of movement. I just love, so I'm all about trying different things.

Like I love Zumba, so it's not just about one sport for me really. And I enjoy kickboxing also. So it's just like different things that I, I just enjoy all types of, I think, exercise 

Have you heard of, I think it's called Ariel yoga where it's like a swing 

Valerie: Done that too. Shocker. 

Roxxi: And it's like silk. Right? But it's a loop instead of just the silk hanging down. 

Valerie: Correct. So I recommend that to every well. Yeah. So one of the studios I taught at offer that, so I got really into that and it's really great for, well, twofold, restorative, because like when you go upside down, it just like. It reverses the effects of gravity.

So your back can get a really nice release. However, I also took the more advanced classes and man, it is a workout. You have to have so much upper body strength, but I would say people start with like regular yoga, but then like, yeah, definitely. That can be a huge workout as well, but I absolutely love it.

It's so. Just a different sensation, like you were saying. I think it's so important for people to mix up their, their fitness routines. I mean, move your bodies in different way. Like you said, you, you like and since we're on a podcast, you can't see, but like she smiled when you said I love Zumba. Like, you know, that just brings joy to people dancing around.

But you know, it's, it's good to have those different. Tools, and then, you know, you can just mix it up. 

Roxxi: Yeah. Well, if people are watching this on YouTube, then they can see our reactions but you do have a lot of cool videos on your Instagram. I'm gonna help you share some of those so that the viewers can see just what we're talking about, how talented Valerie is.

Valerie: Oh, thanks. Oh yeah, you should. We should do the, I did. I saw the love challenge. Did you see that one? 

Roxxi: Oh, oh yeah. What? I think I briefly saw it, but I don't know too much about it. 

I'll try to describe 

Valerie: it. Basically. I just did a, I did a handstand and then like the song Love. I did like the Michael Bublé version. It was my legs. I spelled out L O V E while in handstand. So I was upside down. It was pretty fun. 

Roxxi: Oh yeah. I did watch your video. So it's a whole social media challenge that a lot of people are doing. It's called the Love challenge. 

Valerie: I just saw one person do it and said, love challenge, and he's pretty famous. So I was like, I'm gonna try that.

I, and he liked, liked my post, so felt, I felt like it was a win.