But first, Pivot.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 101: "I Don’t Even Recognize Him Anymore” - How a Pilot Lost 60+ lbs in a Year Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

“I don't even recognize him anymore.”

That's what Sam said looking at a photo of himself from just one year ago.

When Sam came to Pivot, he was 33 years old, just under 300 pounds, on three blood pressure medications, prediabetic, and had been trying to lose weight for more than 10 years. His biggest fear? “Failure to the point that quitting is easier.”

As a pilot, Sam travels frequently for work, eats on the road, loves going out to eat, enjoys beer, and considers himself and his wife foodies. He didn't need another restrictive diet. He needed to learn how to lose weight without giving up the life he actually enjoyed.

One year later, Sam is more than 60 pounds down and this time, he doesn't feel like he's just “visiting” a lower weight.

In this episode, Dani sits down with Sam and Pivot dietitian, Coach Samantha, to talk about what finally made this time different. They discuss navigating restaurants and work travel, breaking the all-or-nothing mentality, learning portion sizes, enjoying fun foods without guilt, and building the skills to maintain his results long-term.

Sam sums up his biggest lesson perfectly: “Everything has its place in the diet, but that place doesn't have to be every day.”

For all the men, dads, and grandpas who have spent years trying to figure it out on their own...it's okay to ask for help!

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/
https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD - Pivot Dietitian Coach

Connect with Sam:
https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_samferg/

Episode 100: Episode 100: You Asked, We Answered. Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

100 episodes AND four years of But First, Pivot!

For this milestone episode, Dani is joined by fellow Pivot dietitian Sam to answer YOUR questions, and nothing was off limits.

How do we really feel about weight loss medications?
WTF is happening during perimenopause?
Is cortisol actually making you gain belly fat?
Should you take creatine?
Are Perfect Bars actually a good source of protein?
What do dietitians buy at the grocery store?
Should you eat after 7PM?

We also answer questions about pregnancy, supplements, sweet cravings, protein powders, energy drinks, strength training, weight loss after 60, AND the celebrity we would want to have on the podcast!

Thank you for listening, submitting your questions, and being here for 100 episodes.

Here’s to the next 100!

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/
https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD

Connect with Sam:
https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_samferg/

Episode 99: The Secret Sauce to Success with Monique Lamoureux-Morando Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Ever wonder what the secret to success is?

In this episode, Dani sits down with Team USA hockey legend Monique Lamoureux-Morando, a six-time world champion, three-time Olympian, Olympic gold medalist, mom of four, and successful realtor, to talk about the mindset that helped her reach the highest level in sports and how she continues to apply it to her life today.

In this episode, we discuss:

The transition from professional athlete to retirement and finding a new purpose
Working out before 5AM
How long it really takes to see the payoff from your efforts
How Monique has carried her athlete mindset into motherhood and real estate
Raising four kids while prioritizing fitness, health, and a career
Monique's advice for parents raising kids in sports

If you've ever felt frustrated because you're putting in the work but aren't seeing results fast enough, this episode is your reminder that anything worthwhile takes time. The secret is to keep showing up, especially when you don't feel like it.

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/
Website: https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Guest:
Monique Lamoureux-Morando

Connect with Monique:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquelam7/
Website: https://onereal.com/monique-lamoureux

Episode 98: From 3 Minutes to 3 Miles: Kristen's Inspiring 60-lb Transformation Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

One year ago, Kristen struggled just to walk from her car into work.

She needed help with everyday chores, constantly thought about food, and felt trapped in a cycle of guilt, binge eating, and starting over. Her doctor recommended a GLP-1 medication, but Kristen decided she wanted to invest in building lifelong habits and improving her relationship with food.

Fast forward one year...

Kristen is down nearly 60 pounds, completed her first 5K, goes to the gym regularly, and says she has a running list of all the everyday things she can do now that she once took for granted.

In this emotional conversation, Kristen sits down with her dietitian, Sam, and Pivot founder Danielle to share what really changed over the last year. They discuss food noise, binge eating, mindset shifts, sustainable habits, and why this journey became about so much more than the number on the scale.

In this episode, we discuss:

Kristen's life before coaching and the moment she knew she needed help
What food noise and binge eating felt like
The mindset shifts that changed her relationship with food
Why she chose Pivot over a GLP-1 medication
How she lost her first 40 pounds in less than six months
The non-scale victories that mattered more than weight loss
Advice for anyone who's waiting for the "perfect time" to start

If you don't recognize yourself or feel like you've been trying to lose weight "for as long as you can remember," this episode is for you.

Episode 97: She Thought She Was Doing Everything Right…Arissa's Success Story Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

"I'm doing everything right... why isn't anything working?"

That's exactly how Arissa felt when she reached out.

In this client success story, Dani sits down with Arissa to discuss how one nutrition consult helped her get unstuck and transform her relationship with food. Just two months later, Arissa is down 10 pounds, feels stronger, has a healthier mindset around food, and even enjoyed her first vacation without gaining weight.

In this episode, we discuss:

Arissa's experience with the Whole30 diet and why it wasn't sustainable
The simple habits that made the biggest difference
How food tracking became a learning tool instead of a punishment
The mindset shift that helped her stop making excuses and stay consistent
The donut story that perfectly captures what food freedom feels like
How she enjoyed pizza, ice cream, and piña coladas on vacation while staying on track

If you've been feeling stuck and wondering why your hard work isn't paying off, maybe it's time to get some answers. Sometimes it only takes one conversation with the right person to identify what's missing and help you start seeing results.

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/

https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Episode 96: Behind the Scenes: What Dietitians Actually Do on Vacation Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

Ever wonder what a dietitian's habits actually look like on vacation?

You might picture us ordering grilled chicken salads and drinking water all weekend.

Spoiler alert... that's not what happened.

In this episode, Pivot Dietitians Danielle and Sam give you a behind-the-scenes look at how dietitians eat, move, and make food decisions while away from home. No food rules, no calorie counting, and no "cheat days", just realistic habits that make healthy eating feel effortless, even on vacation.

In this episode, we discuss:

Simple ways to stay consistent while traveling
How dietitians approach restaurants, snacks, and treats
Common habits that make healthy eating feel effortless
A surprising portion-size experiment that might change how you look at serving sizes
The mindset shift that helps you enjoy vacations without guilt
How to build habits that stick through every season of life

The biggest takeaway? You really can have your cake and eat it too. You can work toward your health and weight loss goals while still enjoying drinks, donuts, French fries, and vacations. Lasting results don't come from being perfect. They come from building habits that fit into real life, no matter the season. That's the difference between constantly starting over and creating a lifestyle you can actually maintain.

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/
https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD

Connect with Sam:
https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_samferg/

Episode 95: We Tracked Our Food for a Week... and Even Dietitians Underestimate Their Calories Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Think you're eating a certain amount of calories each day? You might be surprised.

In this episode, Pivot dietitians Danielle and Sarah share what happened when they tracked their food for over a week for the first time since becoming moms. From random bites while cooking to finishing toddler leftovers, they quickly realized those little things add up, especially when your focus is elsewhere.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why awareness is the first step to change
• The difference between what people think they eat and what they actually eat
• How tracking improved Dani's relationship with food
• Why tracking doesn't have to lead to restriction or obsession
• Practical tips for tracking more accurately as a busy parent

If you've ever felt frustrated because you're putting in effort but not seeing results, this episode is for you. Our hope is that you'll walk away realizing that awareness isn't about judgment, it's about gathering information. When you understand your habits, you can stop guessing, stop starting over every Monday, and start making decisions based on facts instead of assumptions. Sometimes the most powerful changes come from simply paying attention.

Episode 94: She Lost 33 Pounds…Then Stopped Trying to Lose Weight May 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Danielle sits down with Pivot client Sarah to share one of the most refreshing weight loss success stories you’ll hear.

Sarah is a mom of two boys and former physique competitor who spent years trapped in all-or-nothing dieting, restrictive meal plans, binge/restrict cycles, and believing she always needed to push harder to be successful.

After losing 33 pounds through sustainable nutrition coaching, improving her relationship with food, and building a workout routine she genuinely enjoys, Sarah was preparing for another fat loss phase… until she realized something surprising:

She didn’t actually WANT to be dieting anymore.

Together, Danielle and Sarah talk about:

how bodybuilding impacted Sarah’s mindset around food and exercise
the emotional toll of restrictive dieting
binge eating, food obsession, and starting over every Monday
why sustainable weight loss feels different
learning to enjoy movement again
tracking breaks, flexibility, and food freedom
why maintenance is NOT failure
and the powerful realization that health should make your life bigger, not smaller

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by constantly trying to shrink yourself, this episode is for you.

Mentioned in this episode:
E82 - How Jess lost over 50 lbs without feeling restricted: https://podcast.pivotnutritioncoaching.com/82

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/

https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Episode 93: We Ate 1200 Calories for a Day… That Was Long Enough Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Someone once told me, ‘I’ve been eating 1200 calories for 2 years and I’m not losing weight!’”

That statement sparked this entire episode.

As dietitians, we hear this all the time—so Sam and I decided to put it to the test.

We each followed a fully planned, measured 1200-calorie day to see what it actually feels like—physically and mentally.

What we found wasn’t just hunger.

It was constant food thoughts, a scarcity mindset before the day even started, and already thinking about what to eat next before the day was even over.

In this episode, we break down:

Why 1200 calories is nearly impossible to hit consistently without strict planning
What it actually feels like to eat that little (physically + mentally)
How “food noise” increases when you’re under-eating
The “last supper” and “I earned this” mindset that leads to overeating
Why volume eating only goes so far
How this cycle keeps people stuck (restrict → overeat → repeat)

We also share exactly what we ate, how we felt throughout the day, and why eating as much as possible (while still in a deficit) is key for sustainable fat loss.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like “nothing is working”… this episode will give you a whole new perspective.

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/

https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_samferg/

Episode 92: The Mental Load & Mom Guilt: How to Lighten the Load Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

Do you feel like you’re doing everything at home and still feeling guilty taking time for yourself?

In this episode, Danielle sits down with relationship identity coach Nicole Carney to talk about over-functioning, the mental load, and mom guilt — and how these patterns are keeping so many women stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed.

We dive into:

what the “mental load” actually is (and why it’s so exhausting)
why moms feel guilty taking time for themselves
how to start shifting that dynamic without nagging or creating conflict

We also talk about how to get your partner more involved in a way that actually feels supportive (not forced), and why taking care of yourself isn’t selfish… it’s necessary.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the load and have 100 tabs open in your brain, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Nicole’s program, The Good Wife Detox (and get $20 off with code PIVOT):
https://nicolelynne.co/good-wife-detox

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/

https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

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