What is next, as an RDN!!!

My Journey to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

The Start of My Journey:

I love telling this story from start to finish because it has so much depth and context, which I believe can help others going through similar struggles in this game of life and fighting for what matters.

When I was dating Jason in 2020, I was also accepted into a dietetic internship based in Jacksonville, FL, which meant I would have to move away for 9 months starting in March 2021. I quickly learned that this wouldn’t work if I wanted to be present in his life and the kids’ lives. I now fully understand the big picture, but in the moment, it was hard to reject that internship, trust God, and the process—that I would be accepted into another program. I hope one day the kids will see the sacrifices I’ve made for them, even from day one—before I was officially their Bonus Mom.

Just for some quick background: in the world of dietetics, it’s extremely competitive to get accepted into an internship. We spend months to years trying to get placed into an internship. As for me I tried for a year after graduation and eventually decided it just wasn’t for me—until now.

Fast forward to me being accepted into Be Well Solutions, a distance internship based out of Cleveland, OH, and I didn’t have to move! (In a distance internship, the intern finds preceptors locally or in the surrounding areas.) Six months after Jason and I got married, I began my internship in August 2021. I was lucky to complete the first two months (the community portion) at the Health Department, which I was already familiar with due to my time working at WIC.

Then, I traveled to Mobile, AL, and Fairhope, AL for a little over two months for my clinical rotations. In April 2022, I completed a virtual rotation with a chef RD who owned her own business. During this part of my internship, I was able to hone in on my niche—helping families find their balance in a healthful lifestyle, and supporting gut health, specifically with celiac disease (gluten-free diets) and IBS (FODMAP diet).

I also dove into what it takes to own a business and how to build connections through social media. That’s when I started brainstorming a name for my own nutrition counseling business. Jason’s oldest, Arah, even created my logo! I spent hours developing business ideas, creating service packages, and writing a gluten-free guide I hope to launch in the coming months.

I graduated in June 2022, and I started studying right away for the Registered Dietitian board exam.

The Study Journey:

My internship gave us a massive binder to study from, and we were encouraged to use a study app called “Pocket Prep.” It had 1,000+ questions, mock exams, and quizzes. I found it incredibly helpful and learned to enjoy using it!

After two failed attempts at the exam, I finally hired a tutor in February 2023, Dana Fryer, RDN. Her 4-week program included homework, tons of videos, and situational practice questions that helped me understand the material, not just memorize it.

Then, after failing my third attempt on May 30th, 2023, I needed a break. I realized I had to do something different to break up the monotony of studying. That’s when I got serious about launching my nutrition blog. I already had a lot of content ready, and in June 2024, I purchased my website and domain: Ashley Majors Nutrition. I launched my first blog post in January 2025. My original goal was to publish a new post every two weeks—and I stuck with that for about two months—until I had to start studying full throttle again, and life transpired.

I didn’t plan to take an entire year off from the exam. I was still studying in one way or another. Some may ask, “Why haven’t you tried again?” or “What have you been doing?” Well... life. I would study most days, take breaks, travel, we bought a big boat March 2023, play the role of stepmom and wife, work on being a good daughter-in-law, spend time with friends, visit my family in Indiana, and most importantly, try to stay present in each moment.

But there’s also the mental and emotional toll this exam can take. Time truly heals, and I needed time to get back on the saddle. Isn’t that the saying?

Also—trying to build an online nutrition business is no small feat.

What People Don’t Talk About…

What people rarely talk about is the behind-the-scenes of studying for the RD exam. I am my cheerleader, advocate, and motivator. I make my study schedule every day to stay motivated and on track. There’s no teacher grading me. If I don’t study, there’s no penalty—except that I’m delaying my own goals.

It’s a mental game. You study for months—and if you don’t pass, you keep studying. The mental burnouts, emotional exhaustion, and self-worth questions creep in.

Studying for this exam is heavy. It has four domains, each with dozens of topics under it, and you have no clue what content will be on your test that day. For example, Domain 1 has 65 topics, Domain 2 has 26—you get the picture.

So sometimes, it’s the little things—like colorful pens, my study view, or weekly schedules—that keep me going. I was incredibly lucky to travel with my husband during this time. It helped break up the monotony and refreshed my mind.

The Outcome:

On May 1st, 2025, I sat for the exam for the fourth time—and I PASSED!!!

Today marks the start of a new chapter in my life as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

✨ 4 attempts in 3 years.
✨ 8 years of undergrad.
✨ 10 years in the nutrition field.
✨ 9 months of internship.

And now—I can proudly say I am a self-employed RDN.

Through tears, stress, anxiety, and being my own internal cheerleader over and over again—I DID IT. I conquered. I passed. I rose above!

What’s Next?

I plan to relaunch my blog, finish and release my gluten-free guide (coming soon!), and continue to educate and empower women and families to find their healthy balance!

To My Dear Husband:

I’m so thankful for my husband, who supported me behind the scenes through everything—from enduring a year-long unpaid internship to never pressuring me to work while studying. He allowed me the space to focus on the exam, yet still live our life, build a family, travel, and search for our balance.

And after every failed (and now passed!) attempt, he always treated me to yummy GF goodies from a bakery in Mobile, AL.

To Anyone Facing Challenges:

A test does not define your knowledge, your worth, or your path. It’s simply a trial hurdle to jump over in pursuit of your goals and dreams.

Today, I’m grateful for who I am, what I’ve overcome, and what I will continue to build.

Thanks for reading!
💬 Comment below: Are you facing a challenge right now? What do you do to protect your peace while moving through it?