This Dietitian Talks Theatre health
The Broadway Dietitian®
Speaking Engagements
Public Speaker for Eating Disorders and Theatre Health: Libby Parker, MS, RD, CDN, CEDS-C
Libby Parker, MS, RD, CDN, CEDS-C is an international best-selling author, and Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian and Consultant based in New York City. Her book, Permission To Eat, guides readers through eating disorder recovery with education and action steps she uses with private clients.
Libby’s niche is in helping stage performers optimize their health and nutrition like the athletes they are – through weight-neutral evidence-based science. Because of her background in musical theatre, Libby has unique insight into the challenges, struggles, thoughts, and behaviors of those working in the theatre world. She is currently working on an additional book and college curriculum on maintaining research supported optimum health for stage performers.
As a public speaker for eating disorders, Libby is able to connect with a wider theatre audience using engaging anecdotes, easy to digest information, and a compelling program that performers and those struggling with bulimia, anorexia, and other eating disorders will understand and process. Her work in theatre gives her a stage presence that helps connect with others to help create healthier lifestyles and start the process for eating disorder recovery.
Signature Talks
Signature talk
Weight-Inclusive Nutrition For Theatrical Students
I’m all about health for performers – from a weight-neutral/positive body image place. I love speaking to BFA groups about how to take care of their health as “theatre athletes.”
Signature talk
Give Your Sister (and yourself) Permission To Eat
Schedule a virtual talk for your sorority/campus group to discuss eating disorders, how to help a friend/sister, what does healthy eating actually consist of, and so much more!
I open it up for questions/discussion, and there are discounts/giveaways for those who show up live!
Listen to my interview on the “Fraternity Foodie” podcast about eating disorders on college campuses.
Signature talk
Dancer Nutrition FAQs
Get the scoop on frequently asked nutrition questions/concerns of dancers. We will cover a variety of topics from timing your intake, avoiding digestive woes on stage, bone health, and more. Emphasis on questions the audience has.
“Libby is an incredible resource for any student and/or theatre professional who is seeking a more intentional relationship with their vessel. She has nuanced perspectives on what it means to have a sustainable, healthy relationship with food. Her presentation was immensely helpful to me and my peers. I learned practical skills on how to meal prep and look at food! Moreover, she is an excellent communicator with a personal flair that makes her work palatable and fun!”
“Libby was a powerful speaker at our Body Empowerment town hall. Her honesty mixed with her positivity presented a new viewpoint that I had never thought to consider about the industry and our bodies. I had always felt insecure about the body I would bring to auditions, but she reminded me that it is a gift. I know now that I shouldn’t let the way other people see my body prevent me from chasing the part of the industry I want to be in—my body is not limiting, but the vessel for my art.”
“Libby’s conversation and talk back with our CARE community was one of the most encouraging and educational experiences I have ever had. As someone who has struggled with body image and disordered eating in the past, I personally found our discussion with Libby was empowering and encouraging, as I know many others did. The education she provided us with on HAES, proper meal planning to get all of the nutrients you need, and how this could apply to us as performers changed the way I viewed my relationship with food and my body in so many positive ways. I would recommend Libby to anyone I know, whether they feel they have an unhealthy relationship to food or not, because Libby’s educational guidance and encouragement impacted me, and I know will impact many others. Libby is a rock star.”
“Libby is an inspiring and energetic presence with a genuine dedication to improving the health and lives of those around her. Her seminar greatly helped me reevaluate my dietary habits, as well as improve my general health and relationship with food, exercise, and mental health. On top of that, she finds a way to present the material in an engaging and relatable way. If you’re looking to improve your health and have a good time while doing it, look no further than Libby Parker!”
“Libby is absolutely WONDERFUL at what she does. As a performer, I never realized how much our bodies really do care for us and how we need to take care of them consciously in return. Libby affirms artists in all stages and her work makes a massive difference in her field. She provides so many helpful resources and opens the floor for important conversations to be had. I felt so seen by her and she took time beyond her allotted lecture to sit with me and just talk about passion and purpose. She is a trailblazer, she is personal, and her work is SO BENEFICIAL to anybody in the theatre community. I could not recommend her more!”
“Libby’s incredible presentation to my college’s musical theatre program about nutrition and body image opened me up to incorporating body neutrality into my training. As someone who is incredibly passionate about body inclusivity in musical theatre, I highly appreciated that Libby talked about how important it is to practice self care and keep a healthy mindset while training and performing. I have practiced intuitive eating for about a year now, but during performance season or busy training days, eating would not be a priority. Libby showed me that I need to apply intuitive eating to my performance schedule and continue to take care of myself, even during busy times.”
“Hearing Libby speak was such an eye opening experience for me! The idea of trying to incorporate things like intuitive eating in my life has literally changed my relationship with food!”
“Libby was one of the reasons as to why I applied for Leadership in OCU CARE. Seeing the real change she created through our organization and our student body was incredibly inspiring, and any school would be lucky to have her as a resource.”
“Libby is AHmazing! She shared so much with our music school campus community about how to nourish our bodies from a body neutral standpoint. I learned so much about intuitive eating and how to fuel my body to perform!”
Some Previous Examples
Theatre and Body Image (Missouri State University Theatre & Dance Department, IG live)
Weight Inclusive Health for Theatrical Students (Marymount Manhattan College, April 2023)
Eating Disorder Awareness Q&A (Steps on Broadway, IG live, March 2023)
Nutrition FAQs for Dancers (ODC, Sept 2021)
#NoFilter (MindBody / Cal Poly, Jan 2020)
Born To Eat Intuitively (Nourish SLO, July 2019)
GoodMorning SLO (Watch HERE)
Eating Disorders on College Campuses (KCBX Public Radio – listen HERE)
ODC Dancer Day of Health, San Francisco (more info HERE)
Nutrition & Disordered Eating (Alan Hancock College, watch HERE)
“Taking Care of Your Body Right Where You Are” (Choosing Courage Summit)
….and so many others!
Check out my YouTube channel for other ideas