“It didn’t happen overnight. Like I may have had a lot of success when the pandemic happened and over the last two years of my business. But I was committed to being an entrepreneur two years before I ever had any success, and I never gave up on it. So I think if there’s just an inkling of something there that you feel that’s calling you, you should at least tap into that and at least try something.”
— Starla [35:53]
Today’s guest wasn’t made for the 9 to 5 life. She knew that she wanted to make her own path as a dietitian, and she struggled to find the right fit in traditional jobs. A whole lot of self-awareness led her to take a leap out of a miserable job (that made her cry every day) and into the world of entrepreneurship.
In this episode, we’re chatting with Starla Garcia, who is a dietitian, Olympic trials marathoner, and body and cultural diversity advocate. She’s sharing how her eating disorder recovery led her to work with BIPOC runners and marathoners who have experienced a similar path with their health. She’s talking about how important it was for her to build a business that aligns with who she is, why she’s best as a solopreneur, and advice for new entrepreneurs.
As entrepreneurs, it’s important to build a business that is in alignment with our wants and needs. It can be daunting to quit your job and take that step into the unknown. Starla’s story will inspire you to take the leap and build a life and career that feeds your soul.
What’s in this episode:
- How Starla got into entrepreneurship [02:07]
- How she got an opportunity to mentor with someone in sports nutrition [06:27]
- Her experience as a marathoner trying to qualify for Olympic trials [07:20]
- How she used social media and community building to start her own business [09:17]
- What motivated her to take the leap and get out of a miserable job situation [11:56]
- How she found a mentor to her see the full extent of what she could do with her business [17:43]
- What is has been like building a business that is soul-driven and aligned [22:46]
- How Starla suffered from burnout and how she pulled herself out [28:25]
- How she learned that staying a solopreneur is the best route for her [31:11]
- Starla’s advice for an entrepreneur just starting out [34:09]
Meet Starla Garcia
Starla Garcia, M.Ed, RDN, LD, is a Houston-based Dietitian who helps athletes shed destructive diet culture beliefs, by discovering harmony and freedom with food. Her journey with wellness came after battling an eating disorder as a student-athlete at the University of Houston. Today, Starla is the founder and owner of her own private-practice, The Healthy Shine, through which she helps runners discover healthy lifestyles that are sustainable and enjoyable. Starla devotes her platform to not only helping runners fuel, but to discussing cultural competency in sports dietetics. She works to prevent RED-S in communities of color and advocates for cultural and body diversity within the endurance athlete space. Beyond her dietetics work, Starla is a 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier!
Connect with Starla
Connect with Kirsten on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thekirstenscreen/ or by visiting her website at kirstenscreen.com. Follow her on Instagram to learn about private business coaching and business program information.
Connect with Brooke at https://www.instagram.com/westnutrition.co/ or by visiting her website at westnutrition.co. Follow her on Instagram to learn about her openings for business intensives for RDs launching their own business and Voxer coaching.