Hi, there! My name is Caila Yates, and I am the newest Elo Health Coach and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I strongly believe that everyone deserves to feel their best each and every day, and that nutrition plays a critical role in that. Whether you are aiming to increase your energy, reach new heights in sports performance, or simply improve your overall relationship with food and your body, I am here to help.
At Elon University, I was studying to receive my bachelors degree in Public Health. I knew that I wanted to be involved in the health field, but didn’t quite know how at the time. Over the course of those four years, I became interested (read: overly obsessed) with fitness to the point where I no longer had a healthy relationship with food or my body. Food became the enemy.
At the time, I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around the fact that food was what was going to help me reach my goals in just about every area of my life. However, this soon became abundantly clear, and I was fascinated by how fueling myself appropriately could enhance my energy, cognition, mental health, and sports performance.
It was because of this journey that I pursued my Masters in Nutrition at Boston University with a focus in medical nutrition therapy (MNT). This means that I learned about metabolic pathways, how to use food to prevent and heal chronic disease, and much, much more.
After completing my internship at a hospital in Boston, I went on to work at that very hospital for about a year, helping hundreds of individuals learn about how to use food in a way that could help mitigate some of the effects of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal failure, and the list goes on. I then transitioned to working at a private practice, where I got the opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships with clients - something that I value immensely!
It is easy to see that our society is flooded with information surrounding nutrition - it’s everywhere! “Try this diet” or “Lose ‘x’ pounds in ‘x’ days” seems to grace the covers of many magazines these days. How is one supposed to navigate this?! The truth is - nutrition is not one size fits all.
As I mentioned before, I used to eat in a way that didn’t align with my body and my goals. I was eating a low carbohydrate diet and insufficient calories, and it was a detriment to meeting my fitness goals. On top of that, I felt fatigued, irritable, and I even lost my period for months. This is because I was trying to eat in a way that I thought I was “supposed to” based on what I was seeing online and in articles.
With this, I understand how hard it can be to figure out what nutrition approach is best for YOU. I hope to be a resource for our members and to provide a scientifically sound recommendation based on all the things that make you unique - your lifestyle, your goals, etc.
On top of that, I value the importance of not only achieving a healthy lifestyle, but also maintaining a healthy relationship with food and their body. It is possible to reach your nutrition goals, but to do so in a sustainable way, and I am here to help with that.
As I mentioned before, my love for nutrition is intertwined with my love of sports and performance. For me, this means that I love to run. Like, a lot. I have completed 3 marathons and many shorter distance races, with plans for many more. Living in Boulder, CO, I also get the chance to hike, bike, and ski year-round!
When I’m not outside (which is rare), I’m usually cooking something up at home or exploring coffee shops and breweries nearby.
It’s no secret that Elo prioritizes the health and wellbeing of its members over everything. In meeting the team at Elo for the first time, the passion and drive in regards to nutrition is palpable. It was easy to see that the company’s philosophy is one that aligns with my values, as I love being able to play a role in helping people be the best version of themselves.
In a world where we are focused on treating and reacting to chronic disease, I believe it’s important to flip the script and use nutrition to prevent these conditions in the first place. On top of that, I am not only invested in helping people optimize their nutrition wellbeing, but also maintaining a healthy relationship with food. It all comes back to helping people do what they love for longer, and Elo is playing a huge role in that.
