ABOUT ME
Michelle’s approach supporting people to develop a more sustainable relationship with food and fitness is both gentle and realistic. ‘Improvement not perfection’ and ‘slow and steady wins the race’ are two mottos she most likes to use.
She also has her own private practice in Asheville and Boone, NC (WNC Nutrition Counseling and Services.)
With her extensive background as a certified group fitness instructor, she is able to offer movement classes as well as creating individual exercise plans to suit the needs of clients. Michelle also has lead intuitive eating classes, nutrition classes, meal planning workshops, grocery store outings, and supportive meal groups at local restaurants.
She has worked for both in-patient and out-patient facilities, as well has having a private practice treating people with disordered eating, eating disorders, Intuitive Eating using the H.A.E.S model (Health at Every Size)
Michelle went to East Carolina University to begin her B.S. in Nutrition Sciences and went on to the University of Arizona to complete her B.S. in Nutrition. After schooling she went to the Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania, for her dietetic internship.
Michelle Shelfer
Experience
- Support Groups: Led peer groups for T.H.E Center for Disordered Eating
- Outpatient Dietitian: For Tapestry (Residential Program for Eating Disorders)
- SESAMM: Managed a state grant for the childhood obesity prevention program (Students Eat Smart And Move More)
- WIC: Provided services for Buncombe County (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children)
- Infant Feeding classes:Instructed as an Internally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- Counseling: Provided counseling services and leading programs in the Asheville school system as a dietitian for school-based health centers
- Consulting Dietitian:For Solstice East (residential treatment center for girls), led groups with therapists and practiced the MNT (Medical Nutritional Therapy)
- Developing menus and food safety training courses: Primarily for group homes, detention centers, Head Start programs, schools and summer camps
- Clinical dietetics: Provided for hospitals as well as long-term care and rehabilitation facilities
- Currently working at Hendersonville Medical Center in their medical weight management program.
- Quantity foods: Preparation and catering
- Speaking Events: Various CARF(Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) conferences and delivering the keynote speech for Nike running camps two years in a row
- Lunch-and-Learns: Facilitated for multiple organizations to implement worksite wellness
Testimonials
“Dear Michelle, thank you for all you have done for me. Words cannot express how thankful I am. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for leading me to my son. You do wonderful work. You’re an amazing human being. […] Again, thank you for changing my life. You made me a better person. Having a child is a dream come true.”
Client
2019
“I am really glad I reached out and started seeing you. It is making a big difference for me and really improving my confidence – overall and in my eating choices.”
Client
2019
“[Michelle Shelfer’s] work in the community is helping to educate coaches, parents and teachers about [eating disorder] prevention. We’re fortunate to have Michelle represent THE Center and educate the public about eating disorders. Michelle is also a professional member and support group leader with THE Center. Thank you Michelle for your advocacy and outreach!”
Director
T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating
“Our dietitian, Michelle Shelfer, works both individually and in groups with the clients to develop meal plans, either using intuitive eating principles, or an exchange system plan. Using a hunger/fullness continuum and mindful eating helps [Michelle] teach about the importance of learning the cues of physical vs. emotional hunger; and in-turn, building a sustainable relationship with food.”
Executive Director
Willow Place for Women
“Michelle is incredible. She is kind, understanding and generous, fun and easy to talk to. I’ve had the privilege of shadowing her this summer and seeing her in action at the many places she works, and I haven’t ceased to be amazed by how much everyone loves her. Michelle practices what she preaches – she is active, healthy, nurturing, and has a wonderful family to top it all off. I aspire to be like Michelle someday!”
Nutrition Intern
Summer 2014
“Michelle combines her professional knowledge with an understanding of real life struggles. She understands the sometimes day-to-day struggle people can have with food and allows wiggle room without reprimanding. She has created a plan that will not just help me as long as I am her client, but will help me throughout my life. She has given me the tools I need to change my relationship with food and exercise and an understanding that it will never be ‘perfect’ but will always be an ‘improvement’!”
Client
2017