Mary Verbovski
Providing an empowering support system for survivors of cancer by taking the fear & confusion out of future steps, and developing a personalized wellness plan that moves you from surviving to thriving.
My Approach
At my company, we provide support services for cancer survivors after their active treatment has ended. While active cancer patients have had frequent check-ins with the primary care team, survivors often feel alone, scared and worried about their “new normal” when that support ends. My goal is to create a survivorship transition program that fosters integration of healthful patterns in life after cancer, moving individuals from surviving to thriving.
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Professional Bio & Credentials
Mary Verbovski, MS, RDN, CSO, is a clinical dietitian, Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition, speaker, educator, and wellness mentor who helps individuals move through major health transitions with clarity, confidence, and support.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Mary moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1998 to pursue her passion for health, wellness, and performance. While training and competing as a Mixed Martial Arts athlete, she attended Bastyr University, where she earned her degree in nutrition and exercise science. Her belief in the power of healthy, active living led her to continue her education, earning Master of Science degrees in clinical nutrition and research from Bastyr University.
Since 2003, Mary has served patients and families at Seattle Children’s Hospital as a Clinical Dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition. Her work there has focused on oncology nutrition, wellness, and compassionate, evidence-based support for patients and families navigating cancer care.
Through Verbovski Wellness, Mary extends her passion for education, prevention, and whole-person wellness to adults navigating important life and health transitions. Her work through Verbovski Wellness is separate from her role at Seattle Children’s Hospital and focuses on cancer survivorship support, perimenopause and menopause education, nutrition guidance, lifestyle strategies, and helping individuals better understand their body’s changing needs.
Mary is currently expanding Verbovski Wellness through two distinct supportive membership communities. One community is designed for women navigating midlife, perimenopause, and menopause, offering education, encouragement, practical strategies, and connection during a season of significant physical and emotional change.
The second community is designed for cancer survivors who are moving forward after treatment and seeking support as they rebuild healthful patterns, manage ongoing concerns, and return to daily life with greater confidence. Mary also counsels adult cancer survivors through a six- to twelve-month survivorship transition program that helps individuals and families navigate life after treatment, including returning to work or school, strengthening daily routines, and reintegrating into life with greater clarity and support.
Through her work, Mary helps clients move from surviving to thriving by taking the fear and confusion out of next steps and providing compassionate, practical guidance rooted in education, experience, and connection.
To learn more about Mary Verbovski, Verbovski Wellness, cancer survivorship support, menopause resources, or membership communities, please send her an email or book a free consultation call.
Free Resource Download
Download my free gift to you, “Cancer Survivorship: 5 Pillars of Recovery”
My Story
Hello! Thank you for taking a moment to stop by. I’m a fun, smart, loving and hardworking professional who enjoys my family, friends and the journey of finding daily balance. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio (Who-Dey!), and relocated to Washington state after a year of international business study at Xavier University. I moved across the country to pursue degrees in health and wellness because I found myself spending hours an hours outside of class training in a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym. Everything I could think of was related to how I could feel better and be stronger while training in Muay Thai, Filipino Kali, Jeet Kun Do, grappling and kickboxing.
At the same time I was a strict vegan. Like the kind that thought they were almighty for being a purist you know, the kind that would roll their eyes at you for eating meat frankly, pretty narrow minded. Little did I know, I just didn’t understand enough about how to fuel myself to do it right if to remain vegan, not be exhausted and easily bruised. Well, going all in is my style, so reading a diet book or crunchy granola cooking manual or attending weekend retreat (much less popular back then) was not going to cut it. Knowing that MMA was part of my core, I decided to switch gears and focus on a professional career through Bastyr University, an integrative medicine school.
Before crossing the country, my coach “Sifu Rick” at the gym in Cincinnati, thoughtfully said, “Mary, if you really want to build confidence and continue on this path, jiu jitsu should be your next step. Fighting from the ground will complete this self defense picture.” It’s like he knew more about me than me. That’s a true mentor. Thereafter, he referred me to a notable Brazilian jiu jitsu gym in Seattle. So, while finishing my bachelors degree in nutrition and exercise science, and soaking up this amazing outdoor region of our country with several mountain climbing trips and camping adventures, I also became serious about competitive grappling. There were times I would arrive to class with bruises and bumps, including the chin and neck area (from choke holds). Those definitely garnered a few double takes… until they got to know how I spent my time outside of school.
My Values & Beliefs
After 4 years of training and competing as one of a handful of women in the sport, I was approached with a unique opportunity to coach middle school students in grappling (kinda looks like wrestling), which was my specialty. The head of the program, Emil Verbovski, a long time PE teacher and strength and conditioning coach asked for the best female grappler in the region who could teach. Pulling on my heart strings due to tough times in my own youth, I couldn’t say no. I ended up driving an hour each way just to teach one self defense class to young teenagers every day. Yes I just said that, like a blessing in disguise type of cliche.
After observing my dedication to this role, Emil offered to add value to my commute. However, the offer didn’t come across in the most eloquent way. It went something like this “Mary, I hear you’re training for a rematch. You’re very likely to lose. You don’t have the upper body strength to win the championship. I train a couple guys in the evening for their MMA fights. After you’re done teaching, I can help you get stronger so you have a chance.” About 6 months later, I hung the 1st place plaque on his office wall. Largely due to his guidance, I was able to win my rematch. Emil is now also the man I’m happily married to 8 years later, and we continue to push each other to be our best, yet have patience for the pace individual to ourselves.
I finished that year of teaching and wanted to continue making a difference in peoples lives through health. I chose to attend graduate school and specialize in clinical nutrition and research. Definitely not a schedule that supports full time grappling… so I transferred my athletic drive into triathlons, which happen to be a lot nicer on my neck and back than grappling as well as an outdoor sport I can enjoy for many years to come.
A couple key professors ignited my passion for chemistry, science, physiology, and pathology which then resulted in my licensure as a dietitian. In 2003, I started my career at a pediatric hospital and continue serving amazing kids and families to this day. Over the years, I’ve realized my specialty lies in the therapeutic behavior change relationship. In many a clinical setting, often with acute illness and emotionally challenging outcomes, I’ve been able to form an alliance with my patients and families to impart knowledge with empathy and help others see their capacity to move along their path to wellness.
Naturally, after being blessed with a family of my own, I became an even better health care provider, mentor and educator. So, here I am, circling back to an entrepreneurial mindset and ready to partner with you, offering real life tips to enhance your journey to live your best life!