Season 2 Episode 17 | Creating a Life You Actually Want with Christina Manian, RDN
Okay besties, this episode goes in a direction we did not expect and we loved every minute of it.
We sat down with writer, media dietitian, and sustainability expert Christina Manian to talk about her career journey, how she built a successful freelance writing business, and why she’s intentionally designed her life around what matters most to her.
What started as a conversation about media work quickly turned into a deeper discussion about networking, entrepreneurship, manifestation, social media boundaries, mindfulness, creating a lifestyle you actually enjoy, and having the courage to pursue what feels aligned.
Christina shares how she transitioned from working in intensive care at the Mayo Clinic to becoming a full-time freelance writer with nearly 700 published articles. She also opens up about building a career that supports her values, her love of nature, and her commitment to sustainability-focused nutrition.
This conversation is thoughtful, inspiring, and full of reminders that success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
We’d also love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship in August. For more information and the application, check out the link below:
https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship
In This Episode, We Discuss:
• Christina’s journey from clinical dietetics to full-time writing
• Working at the Mayo Clinic and realizing it wasn’t her long-term path
• Building a freelance writing career from the ground up
• Why networking continues to be one of the most valuable career tools
• The realities of today’s freelance writing industry
• How writing rates and media opportunities have changed
• Creating a career around lifestyle instead of status
• Sustainability-focused nutrition and why it matters
• Social media boundaries and protecting your energy
• Meditation, mindfulness, and manifestation
• Finding work that feels aligned with your values
• Why doing things you love often creates unexpected opportunities
• Building a business that supports the life you want
Key Takeaways:
• There is no single roadmap to success.
• Networking often creates opportunities that strategy alone cannot.
• A career can be built around your ideal lifestyle.
• Discipline creates freedom.
• Social media boundaries can have a major impact on mental health.
• Doing meaningful work often starts before there’s a financial payoff.
• Success looks different for everyone.
• Clarity comes from spending time with yourself and your goals.
There were so many moments in this conversation that had us nodding along. Christina reminded us that success doesn’t have to look loud, busy, or like anyone else’s version of it. Sometimes success looks like creating a life that feels aligned, protecting your energy, spending time doing work you love, and having the courage to trust yourself along the way.
Grab your favorite drink, put your feet up, and join the conversation with your business besties. We think you’re going to love this one.
