Hi, I’m Maxine!

I’m a Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer, and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach based in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, California.

As the founder of The Wellness Whisk, LLC, my mission is to make healthy living feel approachable and enjoyable for everyone. I’m also a busy mom to two little ones, Munchkin and Pipsqueak, so I understand firsthand how challenging it can be to keep up with healthy habits in a hectic life. I’m always on the lookout for ways to create a sense of balance and build sustainable routines.

In addition to counseling and coaching, I’ve been featured in publications like Women’s Health, Livestrong, and Eat This, Not That, and have written for outlets like EatingWell Magazine, Yahoo! Life, and Self.com.

My Story

Before becoming a dietitian, I worked as a Pastry Cook in fine dining, and yes, I still enjoy dessert every day! I believe that balance is key, and there’s always room for a little sweetness in life. If you’re curious about my journey from Pastry Cook to Dietitian, feel free to check out the Self.com article I wrote about it here.

I completed my Dietetic Internship and Masters in Clinical Nutrition at New York University, and have had the opportunity to work with Stanford Health Care and Montefiore Medical Center, where I discovered my passion for wellness counseling. Currently, I’m serving on the Executive Board of the Food and Culinary Professionals Dietetic Practice Group, and I’ve also been involved with the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley Districts. I was even honored as RD of the Day by Today’s Dietitian magazine in 2016!

My Passions

I’ve been lucky enough to blend my passions into my career. My curiosity in the kitchen once led a Pastry Chef to offer me an apprenticeship because I was always hanging around, eager to learn. Likewise, my dedication to fitness inspired a gym manager to encourage me to become a Personal Trainer after noticing how often I worked out and connected with the trainers. It’s amazing how following your interests can open unexpected doors!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me outside in my garden, stand-up paddle boarding in the summer, skiing in the winter, or baking up something delicious in my kitchen!

Fun Facts

I’m half Norwegian and half Chinese, and I absolutely love having these two wonderfully different cultures as part of my background.
You’ll find me at my happiest and most at peace on a ski slope!
I’m a huge coffee lover, but I actually drink decaf 95% of the time.
My all-time favorite pastry is a Canelé—if you haven’t tried one yet, I highly recommend it!
And when it comes to ice cream, mint chocolate chip is always my top choice!

Credentials

Accreditations

Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RD/RDN), Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Certified Health and Wellness Coach, National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), National Academy of Sports Medicine

Lifestyle Coach, National Diabetes Prevention Program

Additional Certifications

Women’s Fitness Specialization, NASM (2022)

Pre/Postnatal Performance Training Specialist, PROnatal Fitness (2020)

SCW Ballet Barre Training, SCW Fitness Education (2017)

TRX Suspension Training Certificate, TRX Suspension Training (2010)

Training the Pregnant and Postpartum Client Certificate, Annette Land Education Systems, LLC (2008)

Affiliations

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Silicon Valley District, Bay Area District (Executive Board Service Chair, 2018-2019; Executive Board Membership Coordinator, 2016-2018)

Food and Culinary Professionals Dietetic Practice Group (Executive Board Nominating Committee Chair-Elect, 2024-2026)

Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group

Dietitians in Business and Communications Dietetic Practice Group

Women’s Health Dietetic Practice Group

Wellcoaches Center of Coaching Excellence

Education

Masters of Science (MS), Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics (and Dietetic Internship)
Steinhardt School, New York University, New York, NY

Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA)
Goizueta Business School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA