Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Lowe.
Hi Monica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, nutrition was always a part of my life. My dad was a competitive bodybuilder from the age of 14, so I practically grew up in a bodybuilding gym. By the time I was three years old, I was spending time there, surrounded by people who were incredibly disciplined about what they ate and how they trained.
As I got older, I watched competitors dramatically transform their bodies in preparation for shows. While I admired their dedication, I also found myself wondering if looking healthy always meant being healthy. That question stayed with me.
I was an athlete myself and played competitive volleyball. Like many young athletes, I was encouraged to compete in fitness competitions and was put on a strict diet to achieve a certain look. Instead of feeling my best, I felt exhausted. My energy disappeared, I couldn’t think clearly, and my volleyball performance suffered. That experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: there is a difference between eating for appearance and eating for health. Food has the power to either fuel you or hold you back.
At the same time, I watched several family members struggle with chronic diseases, including diabetes and cancer. I couldn’t help but wonder how much nutrition influenced long-term health and whether food could be used not just to prevent disease but also to improve quality of life.
While taking a nutrition elective at Santa Barbara City College, I met a registered dietitian who completely changed the direction of my life. I would stay after class asking her endless questions about her career and how she became a dietitian. I admitted that I was intimidated by all the science—chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology—I had always considered myself more of an English and writing person than a science person. She looked at me and said, “If I could do it, you could do it.”
That encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue something that felt both exciting and intimidating. I completed all of the prerequisite science courses, earned my bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and completed my dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian.
Today, I own Ojai Nutrition Group, where I help people improve their health through evidence-based nutrition. Whether I’m working with someone managing diabetes, heart disease, digestive issues, weight concerns, or simply trying to feel better, my goal is the same: to help people understand that nutrition isn’t about chasing a certain appearance—it’s about creating a healthier, more energetic, and more fulfilling life.
Looking back, every experience—from growing up in a bodybuilding gym, to struggling through restrictive dieting as an athlete, to watching loved ones battle chronic disease—led me exactly where I was meant to be. I truly believe this is the work I was called to do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
After working for three years as a full-time inpatient dietitian, I realized my passion wasn’t just treating people in the hospital—it was helping them make lasting lifestyle changes before or after they reached that point. I knew I wanted to build my own private practice where I could spend more time educating and empowering people.
At the time, I was raising two young children, and my husband was serving in the military and often away from home. Balancing motherhood, family responsibilities, and starting a business was incredibly challenging. There were times when I opened an office only to realize I didn’t have enough clients to keep the doors open financially. I had to close it, regroup, and keep building.
I then was divorced and a single mom for 10 years relying on my business as income, while raising two children. Just as my practice began to grow, the Thomas Fire devastated our community, making it difficult for many people to prioritize nutrition counseling. Then, as I rebuilt my business, the COVID-19 pandemic created another major setback. Like many small business owners, I had to adapt quickly and find new ways to continue serving clients.
Rather than giving up, I diversified my work. I provided consulting services for hospitals, mental health programs, skilled nursing facilities, and eating disorder treatment centers—sometimes traveling to as many as eight facilities each week. I conducted nutrition assessments, led nutrition education groups, and even taught cooking classes. Those experiences not only helped sustain my business but also broadened my clinical expertise and reinforced my passion for meeting people wherever they are in their health journey.
Today, I’m grateful to have a thriving private practice in Ojai. Looking back, every obstacle taught me resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. Building my business wasn’t a straight path, but I wouldn’t change the journey because it shaped both the dietitian and the person I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ojai Nutrition Group was built on the belief that nutrition should feel empowering, not overwhelming. My goal is to help people cut through all the conflicting information they see online and learn how to nourish their bodies in a way that works for them. There isn’t one perfect diet for everyone, and I love helping people discover what makes them feel their best.
One thing many people don’t realize is that nutrition counseling is often covered by health insurance. Because of that, we’ve created a practice that makes the process as easy as possible. We have a scheduler and a biller who verify insurance benefits before appointments so clients know what to expect and can focus on improving their health instead of navigating insurance paperwork.
I work with people of all ages, but I especially enjoy helping those with diabetes, digestive disorders, sports nutrition, eating disorders, mental health concerns, and anyone looking to create lasting behavior change. Whether someone wants to lower their blood sugar, improve athletic performance, heal their relationship with food, or simply have more energy, I meet them where they are and help them take realistic steps toward their goals.
What sets me apart is the combination of science and compassion. As a registered dietitian, I spent more than six years studying nutrition, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and the intricate ways food affects the body. That education gives me the ability to translate complex science into simple, practical strategies that fit into everyday life. I don’t believe in fad diets or perfection. I believe in progress.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that my practice helps people feel hopeful again. So many clients come in believing they’ve failed because they’ve tried every diet or have been told conflicting advice. Together, we focus on adding nourishing foods, building sustainable habits, and finding an approach they can enjoy for years—not just for a few weeks.
I also believe that food is about so much more than nutrients. Food brings people together. It creates memories, celebrates traditions, and connects families around the dinner table. I love helping clients find simple recipes, quick weeknight meals, and realistic ways to make healthy eating fit into busy lives. When one person in a family starts feeling healthier and more energized, it often inspires everyone around them to make positive changes.
At the end of the day, I don’t want people to leave my office with another diet. I want them to leave with confidence—the confidence to grocery shop without feeling confused, to cook meals they enjoy, to understand how food affects their body, and to know they can take care of their health without giving up the joy of eating. That’s what Ojai Nutrition Group is all about.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve realized that risk doesn’t always look like making a huge investment or quitting your job overnight. Sometimes the biggest risk is learning to let go.
For the first 10 years of my private practice, I wore every hat. I answered the phones, scheduled appointments, verified insurance, handled billing, and saw clients. Part of that was because I genuinely cared about every interaction. Nutrition is personal. Many people are calling because they’re frustrated, overwhelmed, or dealing with sensitive health issues, and I wanted every person to feel heard—not like they were calling a busy medical office.
If I’m honest, I was also afraid that no one else would care for my clients the way I did.
Eventually, I realized that trying to do everything myself was limiting the number of people I could help. Hiring a scheduler and a biller felt like a huge risk because it meant trusting someone else with an experience that meant so much to me. But it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Today, my scheduler and biller are incredible. They treat every client with kindness, patience, and compassion, exactly as I would. Because they’ve taken on those administrative responsibilities, I’m able to spend more time doing what I love most—helping people improve their health. It has also given me a healthier work-life balance and allowed my practice to grow without sacrificing the personal touch that has always been important to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Ojainutritiongroup.com
- Instagram: ojainutritiongroup
- Facebook: Ojainutritiongroup
