Kala received her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from North Carolina State University before pursuing her Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She became a Licensed Dietitian (LDN) in 2023.

Kala’s interest in becoming a dietitian stemmed from her own experience with autoimmune diseases at a young age. She has experienced firsthand the challenges people face navigating healthcare and feeling dismissed by providers. During her time in the fitness world as a personal trainer, she realized many of her clients struggled with disordered eating and restrictive relationships with movement. This led her to discover the benefits of embodiment practices, intuitive eating, and compassion-focused therapy. Using her experiences as a patient to shape her counseling style, she believes that everyone deserves to experience safety and joy in their bodies. Her goal is for clients to feel seen and supported, exactly as they are, while working together to navigate their healing journey.

As a dietitian, Kala initially worked in a clinical setting for patients with mental health disorders. She provided individual nutrition counseling for patients with a variety of needs ranging from eating disorders to chronic disease management. She loved building strong relationships with her small group classes to co-create realistic plans for each patients’ unique experience and goals. Her most recent role was working as an Adolescent Nutritionist with Durham’s Innovative Nutrition Education (DINE). She specialized in helping teens build healthy relationships with their bodies by promoting non-restrictive nutrition and equitable food access.

Beyond her professional life, Kala enjoys being near water, endurance running (slow but steady!), weightlifting, listening to spooky podcasts and GF baking. She loves to spend weekends exploring Raleigh parks and cafes with her partner before ending the day curled up with their Tuxedo cat, Moo, to read a good book.