About Shelley A. Rael, MS, RD, LD
I come from a military family who moved around the U.S. growing up. When asked where I’m from, I answer with, “I moved to New Mexico in 1984.” I was born in Connecticut but don’t consider myself from there. I also lived in Seattle, Charleston, SC, Portsmouth, NH/Kittery, ME, and Honolulu before moving to New Mexico. I don’t claim to be “from” any of those places either. I was only “from” those places when I moved to the next place. I was a teenager in high school when I arrived in New Mexico and have lived here ever since. Ten years after I arrived I married a native New Mexican whom I met in college and now consider myself a “converted” New Mexican.
I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics from the University of New Mexico, completed my dietetic internship at UNM and my Master’s of Science in Nutrition at UNM. I work at UNM too, having started there before I completed my MS. It just fell into place that way. I never thought I would be at UNM so long, but I love my work and how the population is ever-changing and you also get to keep up with the current trends. I am in worksite wellness, so I work primarily with the employees, but also see the students a lot too. I also teach one academic class a semester. I do whatever I can to help people with preventing disease and having a healthy life through healthy diet and lifestyle.
Because I love helping people be healthier and sharing what I know, I have my own private practice: Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well. My focus is on busy professionals and recreational athletes – people I can relate to and who trust me to know that I understand their busy life.
I am active in my profession, volunteering for many boards/positions. I am currently the Chair of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group and Vice-president of the Osteoporosis Foundation of New Mexico and have held many position with the New Mexico Dietetic Association since 2000. I love networking with my colleagues and learning from others.
My husband and I enjoy eating out, especially discovering the wonderful local restaurants, but also cook at home most days of the week (at least 5). We are also active people: I run, cycle, and take part in physical activity regularly. My husband cycles and part of a local racing team. I recently joined him on the team, but I have not yet ventured into racing. Our son is in college and recently moved out on his own.
