Joe Moeller credits good nutrition for putting him on the path to sobriety four years ago.
While living in an addiction treatment center in Milwaukee, Moeller focused on forming healthy habits. “I found if I ate poorly, I felt poorly. So I did my own nutrition planning,” he said. “I started gym workouts – I looked better, I felt better. I saw it working and the desire to use drugs or alcohol slipped away.”
Determined to help others in their recovery, he enrolled in Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Dietetic Technician degree program (now Nutrition and Dietetic Technician) in August 2018 and graduated in May 2020.
Why did you choose MATC’s dietetics program?
Through good nutrition, I found a successful recipe for sobriety. I want to give back to others through nutrition counseling. MATC had exactly what I was looking for to do this work in a group counseling setting.
What are some examples of the new eating habits you adopted?
It was about being more disciplined and planning what I’d eat. I would make sure I had a healthy breakfast and I packed a healthy lunch. I ate more fruits and vegetables. Stayed away from fast food and sugar.
How are you using your knowledge of nutrition to help others?
I go back to the place I received treatment — or use Zoom due to COVID-19 — and I do nutrition counseling with the guys there. I answer their questions about nutrition planning; the why and why not to eat things.
What are your career plans?
I plan to continue doing group counseling. I don’t need education beyond my associate degree to do that as a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician Registered (NDTR). Also I’m interested in a food service management career. I work at a restaurant now. To broaden my skills I may take a culinary class.
What was your experience like as an MATC student?
I couldn’t ask for a better experience. MATC’s instructors are fantastic. They email us job opportunities and we learn about all the career opportunities out there. The program is well thought out. It’s fast paced so gets a little stressful at times, but the instructors are always available to you.