Erin Skinner, MS, RD, LDN, IFCNP, Co-Founder of The Pregnancy Nutritionist

Erin founded The Pregnancy Nutritionist. She is a board-certified Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a certification in integrative and functional nutrition therapy. She is also a businesswoman, a wife, a mom (of three very active boys), a military veteran and spouse, and passionate about women’s and family health. Health and wellness begin with prenatal (even preconception) nutrition.

With a husband often deployed, she understands the meaning of time, how important it is to create diet plans for women who need something quick, easy, nutritious, and economical.

She has pumped breast milk in cars, planes, tents, meetings, and even shipped it on dry ice to her baby. She understands the importance of a healthy diet for breastfeeding success, including hydration and diet tips for mothers to keep their energy up when they’re giving their all.

She has put together a team of compassionate, professional dietitians whose goal is to meet you and your developing baby’s needs, one bite at a time.

Rachel Gary, RD, LDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Podcast Director

I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist functioning as the Empowered Nutrition Podcast director. I love taking complex nutrition topics and helping them become palatable for a general audience—hence my love for podcasts!

I went to Iowa State University for my bachelor’s in Dietetics and have continued education through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) as a certified health coach, with additional certifications as an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner and a 200hr Vinyasa yoga instructor. I also spent some time with the Peace Corps in Mozambique where I learned to speak Portuguese, how to make my own coconut milk without a blender, along with many other unique skills.

In my personal life, I love traveling and hiking with my husband and our two Australian Shepherds (Huck and Finn). I teach yoga and enjoy paddle boarding in the ocean. I also spend a lot of time training with my husband as he prepares for his various ultra-marathons across the nation.

Kirby Mitchell, MS, RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

In my career as an RD, I have seen so many people frustrated with a healthcare system that tries to improve their symptoms instead of treating the underlying problem. That is what led me to functional nutrition.

I always aim to inspire my patients to reach their optimal health goals through food, in a way that is sustainable and makes them feel good. Everything I teach is driven by science, and I frequently work to broaden my knowledge in the nutrition field.

My background includes a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Samford University and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from East Carolina University.

Personal life:
I am a military spouse and mom of two boys. Originally from Durham, NC; the Army brought us down to Southern Pines. In my personal time, you will find me spending time with my husband and boys, in the gym, or traveling as often as we can.

Melissa Teel, MS, RDN, LDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Podcast Director

Hello, I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who became interested in functional medicine during my undergraduate years at UNC Pembroke as a Biology major. I was amazed at how important of a role nutrition plays alongside lifestyle factors to prevent or manage chronic diseases and conditions. Feeling compelled to study medicine in my parent’s footsteps, I was not satisfied with how little nutrition education I would receive in a conventional medical school.  This led me to my journey to become a dietitian.

I received my Master’s Degree in Nutrition from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s coordinated dietetic program with a concentration in Lifestyle Management and Disease Prevention. Fun fact: I completed the majority of my dietetic internships at Empowered Nutrition with my amazing preceptor, Erin!

My strengths as a dietitian include enthusiasm and passion for nutrition, empathy, humor, and cultural competence.

Personal Life

I’m a military spouse and mama of three boys. We love traveling as a family to the beach, going to museums in DC, and unplugging for the summer in Alaska. In my free time, I love expressing my creativity through art, photography, dancing, and cooking – especially the traditional Mexican recipes passed from my grandfather.