Meet Dawn Jackson Blatner | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn Jackson Blatner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn Jackson, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is what I call JOY HUSTLE.

JOY HUSTLE: Pursue opportunities that light you up, and work your butt off doing them.

Ways to practice JOY HUSTLE:
1. Don’t worry so much about your next step or setting goals. Instead be in FLOW which means: a) show up, b) do the work in front of you with love & enthusiasm, and 3) stay open to the inspiration & inspired ideas that will find you as you are doing the work.
2. Follow breadcrumbs. When something sounds interesting/fun…it’s a clue! Follow it, even if you don’t know exactly where it’s leading you.
3. You are the most helpful in the world when you are having FUN. Prioritize fun because it energizes you, makes you braver to take risks, and sparks more creative solutions.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Here’s some of my career highlights:

I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

I am the author of two books: The Flexitarian Diet, ranked a top plant-based diet by US News & World Report, and my second book, The Superfood Swap.

I am a trusted expert appearing regularly in local and national media outlets such as The Today Show and Good Morning America. And…I starred in and WON the primetime reality TV show on ABC called, My Diet Is Better Than Yours.

I worked as the head dietitian for the Chicago Cubs for 10 years…(and earned a World Series ring in the process), hosted an Emmy-nominated TV show in Chicago for 3 seasons, and won the Media Excellence Award from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.

I own a nutrition consulting & communications business with a focus on fun, flexible superfood nutrition. I live in Chicago with my handsome husband and I have a healthy obsession with jumping rope. 😉

I’ve learned MANY MANY MANY things throughout my career, here are a few favorites:
1. Start now, where you are, even if it’s just for 1 person or on a very small scale. Doing the work at any level (with enthusiasm/passion/joy) sends a message to the universe that you are ready for more opportunities.

2. Everything is marketing. How you show up & the positive vibe you bring to small daily things like emails, meetings, calls, appointments, etc. matters. How you make people FEEL matters most.

3. Business is relationships. Enjoy making new friends at the gym, in local organizations, at conferences, etc. and have real conversations about what lights you both up. This plants seeds of opportunity which opens doors you can’t even see yet.

4. It’s not about selling your services or yourself, it’s about SHARING. Sharing something that you are excited about & that will truly help people is easy.

5. No doesn’t mean never! Every no is a chance to fine tune and try again. Remember: Businesses don’t fail, people give up. So just don’t give up!

6. Say yes to opportunities, but always find ways to tailor the project to your strengths & style. Avoid things that don’t light you up, instead pass them forward to someone else who would enjoy that work more. And that builds good karma and leaves space open for you to receive opportunities you love.

7. The most enthusiastic one in the room wins.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Chicago. Come early summer, the weather is amazing and there are so many fun things to do.

My favorites include:
– Bring your appetite to Saturday’s Green City Farmers Market
– Get a frozen drink at Shore Club & then lay in the sun/dip your feet in the lake at North Avenue Beach
– Walk along the Riverwalk and have a glass of rosé at City Winery
– Rent bikes and ride along the Lakefront Path
– Listen to free music & bring a picnic at Millenium Park
– Hit one of the MANY street fests that happen all summer long in every neighborhood of the city

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Here are just a few of my important SHOUTOUTS… – I am able to take risks in my life & career because I know my parents and husband are a safe place to land if I fall & support and love me unconditionally.

– I have 3 mentors who encouraged me to go for opportunities bigger than I imagined for myself & believed in me at times more than I believed in myself: Ms. Mladenovich who encouraged me to be high school student council president, Lisa Herzig my first dietitian and boss who showed me how to think outside of the box for career options, and Dr. Robert Kushner who coached me into my media & communication career.

– Melissa Black Ford, a business coach I hired to help me stop hustling and start leading with more JOY.

Website: www.djblatner.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/djblatner

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/dawnjacksonblatner

Twitter: www.twitter.com/djblatner

Facebook: www.facebook.com/djblatner