Her Story
About Mary H
Mary H. Nieraeth is a retired registered dietitian, a retired certified diabetes educator, and a registered yoga instructor based in Lakewood, California. Over a career spanning several decades, she specialized in diabetes management, nutrition counseling, and weight management, providing both individual medical nutrition therapy and group education classes. In addition to her clinical work, Mary became a registered yoga teacher in 2009 and volunteered for several years at the Cancer Support Community, teaching a weekly gentle yoga class for individuals and family members with a cancer diagnosis. In 2012, Mary integrated yoga instruction into her dietitian/ health education position, pioneering weekly gentle and adaptive yoga classes for patients with physical limitations. Her approach emphasized meeting people where they are, helping them develop practical strategies to advocate for their own health. Mary’s journey into health advocacy was shaped by personal challenges as well as professional experience. Following a seizure-related car accident and subsequent brain surgery in 2006 that resolved her lifelong epilepsy, she became deeply committed to holistic wellness practices, including meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and yoga. These experiences inspired her to write Unleashing My Warrior Spirit: A Memoir of Empowerment and Self-Health Advocacy, which she self-published in February 2024. Her empowering story of advocacy, resilience and self-care practices will inspire others to take charge of their health and well-being. Even in retirement, Mary continues to give back to her community through volunteer work with the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, the Greater Los Angeles Food Bank, and produce distribution programs at Cal State Long Beach. She remains passionate about health education, empowering individuals to make informed choices about nutrition, fitness, and overall wellness, and fostering a lifelong commitment to self-advocacy and personal growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mary H
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to taking calculated risks, persistence and being proactive—I make it a point to stay informed, ask questions, seek second opinions when needed, and advocate for myself to ensure the best outcomes. I have done this in my career, relationships and achieving personal goals. Following my own intuition and seeking appropriate editorial guidance were key factors in the process of writing and self-publishing my memoir, Unleashing My Warrior Spirit.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be proactive and take ownership of your growth. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to you, seek them out, ask questions, and advocate for yourself—your initiative often makes the biggest difference in your career trajectory.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering the dietetics industry to start where they feel drawn, but not to limit themselves to that one path. Every role offers valuable learning that can open doors to new opportunities, sometimes even ones you’re more passionate about. Be honest with yourself about your interests, stay open to exploring new avenues, and don’t be afraid to create opportunities where none currently exist—there are more possibilities in the field of Dietetics now than ever before.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The downsizing of departments in the healthcare setting has resulted in reduction of registered dietitian positions. It may be to a dietitian's advantage to have experience and certifications in other specialty areas such as a health coach, diabetes educator, or obesity and weight management.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are honesty with myself, prioritizing my health, fostering meaningful connections, and giving back through mentoring and volunteering. I focus on activities that support my well-being—like nutrition, exercise, sleep, meditation, and yoga—while also building a community of like-minded people and finding ways to contribute positively to others.
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