When my 3 month-old was constantly spitting up, the most common advice I received was simple: “Try going dairy-free.”

Even though Remi showed no other signs of milk intolerance and my pediatrician said, “He’s just a happy spitter — it’ll pass,” I figured it would be a worthwhile experiment… especially as a dietitian.

So for 8 full days, I removed all dairy — no yogurt, no half & half in my coffee, no hidden ingredients. And for the sake of the experiment, my colleague Sam went dairy-free too.

In this episode, Sam and I break down what what going 100% dairy free was really like:

We also talk about where dairy actually functions as a super helpful protein tool, where it’s flexible (like cheese and pizza), and where it’s tied to routine and enjoyment — which honestly matters more than most people realize.

If you’ve ever tried cutting something out — whether it’s dairy, gluten, or anything else — and found yourself more hungry, more snacky, or just kind of annoyed… you’ll relate to this. We’re sharing what actually happened when I removed a major food group, from the hunger and food noise to the unexpected weight and digestion shifts — all while navigating postpartum life and breastfeeding.

Because sometimes the thing you try doesn’t fix what you thought it would — but it still teaches you something. And usually, even in the middle of something hard, there’s a silver lining.

Dani’s Dairy-Free Perfect Bars:

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https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

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In this lighthearted episode, I’m joined by my client Bri to share how shifting her mindset finally got her unstuck after years of not seeing results.

When Bri reached out in summer 2025, she was working a demanding job as a lawyer, training with a personal trainer three times per week for nearly two years, and feeling beyond frustrated. She was getting stronger in the gym, but her body composition wasn’t changing, and she felt stuck despite being in a calorie deficit most days of the week.

Over four months, Bri lost just over 20 pounds — even while attending concerts, weddings, enjoying margaritas, sushi, and Italian dinners nearly every weekend. After transitioning into a reverse diet and maintenance phase, she continued to lose weight, bringing her total to 25 pounds lost in six months — without burnout, restriction, or sacrificing her social life.

This is a real, honest, and fun conversation where Bri shares:

If you’ve ever felt stuck despite working hard in the gym and trying to “eat clean,” this episode is proof that fat loss doesn’t require suffering — it requires a smarter, more sustainable strategy.

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans are out and I genuinely can’t believe the food pyramid is back 👀

In this deep-dive episode, I’m joined by my fellow registered dietitians Sam and Hannah for an honest, real-life breakdown of the 2026 guidelines. We go page by page through the new 10-page document (link below), separating what actually changed from what just looks different, and what this all means for real people.

We talk visuals vs reality, protein targets, fiber gaps, dairy confusion, saturated fat messaging, gut health, grains, added sugars, alcohol guidelines, and the disconnect between what’s written and what the graphic is communicating.

In this episode, we cover:

Bottom line:

📄 Follow along:

Scientific Foundation report: https://cdn.realfood.gov/Scientific%20Report%20Appendices_1.8.26.pdf

👟 Bonus: This episode is 1 hour 20 minutes aka ~6,500–8,000 steps if you listen on a walk.

In the But First, Pivot podcast, we talk a lot about PCC (Protein–Color–Carb) and PFF (Protein–Fiber–Fat) — two simple frameworks we use to teach clients and athletes how to build balanced, satisfying meals without tracking.

In this episode, Dani and Sam break down what these frameworks are, how they’re similar, how they’re different, and when to use each one. You’ll learn:

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Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD

Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com

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We’ve got about 8 weeks until Christmas, which means losing 8 lbs or about one pound per week is totally realistic!

In this episode, fat loss dietitians Dani and Sam share exactly what they’d focus on if they wanted to lose 8 pounds by Christmas without cutting out pumpkin Reese's and Christmas cookies.

If your goal is to enjoy the holidays, feel good in your body, and still make progress, this episode gives you a simple roadmap to do it (if you're already doing these and they're not working for you, I hope you'll reach out!)

Mentioned in this episode: Episode 81 - Keys to Weight Maintenance

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Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD

Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com

Co-Host:

After a traumatic first birth with Chloé, I spent my entire second pregnancy hoping for a VBAC, but also being terrified of it. At 39 weeks and 3 days, I scheduled a backup C-section “just in case,” but prayed that baby Rémi would come early on his own.

In this episode, I walk you through the full story from the first contraction at 2:30 a.m. to delivering our big 9-pound boy at 12:15 p.m. the same day.

You’ll hear:

This episode is real, emotional, and a little wild (equal parts funny and TMI). So if you’re not up for talk about hemorrhoids and vaginas, maybe skip this one 😉

Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD

Guest: Brianne (Bri) O'Neil

Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com

PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age — but it’s so much more than just a fertility issue. In this episode, we’re breaking down the root drivers of PCOS, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances, and how they impact weight, mood, energy, and long-term health.

My colleague Sam joins the show to walk through the five key areas every woman with PCOS should focus on:

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by being told to “just lose weight” or handed birth control as a Band-Aid solution, this conversation is for you. You’ll leave with clear, practical strategies you can start using right away to feel better, improve your symptoms, and support long-term health.

🎧 Tune in and share this episode with a friend who has PCOS — because you don’t have to manage it alone!

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Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD

Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com

Co-Host:

Jessica’s story is proof that while calories (always) count, mindset plays a huge role in weight loss.

When she came to me, Jess was lifting 5–6 days a week, tracking her macros, and still couldn’t lose weight. She felt stuck in an all-or-nothing cycle...drop a few pounds, gain it right back, and repeat. She avoided photos, felt disconnected from her body, and was tired of starting over every Monday.

Together, we flipped the script. Instead of more restriction, we built a mindset-first, habit-based approach that worked with her real life (and yes, included her favorite foods). Within weeks, she felt more in control around food and free from guilt.

Fast forward 9 months—Jess has lost over 50 pounds, eats with her family without stress, and feels confident again. She’s taking photos she used to avoid and is proud of the example she’s setting for her daughter. Most importantly, she no longer wonders what to do. She knows how to fuel herself for life.

Tune in to hear how shifting her mindset transformed everything and how it can for you too.

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Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD

Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com

Most people can lose weight — but 80–90% regain it within 1–5 years. Why? Because losing it and keeping it off are two completely different skill sets.

In this episode, Dani and Sam break down research from the National Weight Control Registry (10,000+ successful maintainers) and share the 7 key habits that separate regain from long-term success. From daily movement and consistent eating to strength training, sleep, and stress management—you’ll learn exactly what it takes to stay in the successful 10–20% who keep the weight off for good.

If you are struggling to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF, this is a must listen!

Connect with us:

Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD

Connect with Dani on Instagram or by visiting her website at pivotnutritioncoaching.com

Co-Host:

Sometimes the truth stings… but it’s exactly what you need to hear to finally get results. In this episode, Sam and I are serving up some tough love on the most common excuses, unsustainable diets, and mindset traps holding you back — and sharing the realistic strategies that actually work. Nothing changes if nothing changes, and if you need help, we’re here with no judgments and a little tough love along the way.