CPH 39 — Finding Your Happy and Your Health: A Conversation with Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN

In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN—registered dietitian, co-founder of Eat Well Exchange, and unapologetic foodie—shares how courage has shaped her path from youngest child to first in her family to leave home for college, and from secure government job to full-time nonprofit founder. She talks about building Eat Well Exchange to teach communities how to eat healthy with cultural foods that feel like home, and what it took to trust herself enough to “let the boats get close” and finally make the leap.

Ashley also reflects on what it means to be a Black dietitian in a field that’s only 2.7% Black, how she navigates being “the only one” in professional spaces without feeling responsible for representing everyone, and why she’s choosing generational health, joy, and authenticity over rigid ideas of professionalism.

She shares a vision for public health where communities lead the work, culture is centered—not erased—and women’s leadership and wellbeing are seen as essential to everyone’s health.

Meet Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN

Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN is an experienced Registered Dietitian and community advocate with over a decade of experience in nutrition and public health. She is the Co-Founder and Program Director of EatWell Exchange, Inc., where she leads culture-centered nutrition initiatives rooted in equity, access, and community voice.

Ashley has a strong track record of working in low-income communities and facilitating DEI-informed training that centers lived experience and cultural relevance. She is also a skilled business development professional, bridging mission-driven work with sustainable organizational growth. Her work is grounded in the belief that nutrition is most effective when it honors culture, context, and community.

Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Public Health Podcast

Conversation Highlights

• Becoming the First to Leave Home — Ashley shares how, as the youngest child, she became the first in her family to go away to college—leaving Miami for Florida State—and how stepping outside her comfort zone helped her discover who she is beyond family roles and expectations.
• Leaping from “Good Job” to Purpose-Driven Nonprofit — She describes working 10 years in a secure government position, building Eat Well Exchange on the side, and the courage it took to finally leave her job, trust her belief that “things will work out,” and go all in on her nonprofit.
• Cultural Foods, Home, and Health — Ashley explains how Eat Well Exchange teaches communities to eat healthy with the foods that feel like home—oxtail, goat, barbecue, chow chow, and more—and why honoring culture makes healthy changes more joyful, sustainable, and respectful.
• Representing a Group Without Being “The Representative” — As one of the few Black dietitians in the room, Ashley talks about fielding constant questions from colleagues, the pressure of being “the only one,” and the power of saying, “These are my foods and experiences—talk to more people to get the rest of the puzzle.”
• A Vision for Generational Health and Joy — Looking ahead, she names her vision for community-led public health, more women in leadership, and a world where walking trails, grocery stores, dietitians, and joy-filled movement are accessible—and where “find your happy” sits right alongside “eat your vegetables” as a public health priority.

“Choosing happiness over this to-do list that’s staring at me—that’s courageous.”— Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN

Stay In Touch

With Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LDN:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyvnutrition/

Website: https://www.atlasccn.com/

Instagram - @EatWellExchange

Instagram - @AshleyVNutrition

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@eatwellexchange

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EatWellExchange

With Dr. Kristi McClamroch:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/

Website: www.CourageousPublicHealth.com

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