Maybe you’re thinking of changing your focus in nutrition to sports
nutrition, thinking about working towards a CSSD, consulting for a
local team or investigating opportunities at a fitness club. It’s
always helpful to hear about the experience of colleagues, whether it’s
for your own professional development — or just for fun. This piece
features movers, shakers, and players in the area of sports nutrition.
It’s informative, fun, and inspiring to hear from your peers! Click to
read about these RDs in Sports Nutrition.
Michele Macedonio, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Sports Dietitian to:
- Cincinnati Bengals NFL football team
- Cincinnati Kings USL soccer team
- Collegiate, high school, and recreational athletes
Age group & specific sports of clients:
- Serious athletes of all ages
Q. Name and credentials?
A. Michele Macedonio, MS, RD, CSSD, LD.
Q. What is your educational background?
A. BS, Nutrition and Dietetics; Internship, US Public Health Service; MS, Nutrition; MS, Health Sciences Education.
Q. What is your favorite part about sports dietetics?
A. Knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of all those I touch and seeing the transformations!
Q. What is your greatest challenge working with athletes?
A. Time. Athletes have very tight schedules, and the demands on their
time are great. Coaching athletes on how [best to use] nutrition to the
greatest advantage within the time constraints imposed by training and
competition presents a real challenge.
Q. [What’s your greatest challenge] in developing your sports dietetics practice?
A. Once again, time is a challenge. Creating materials and tools for
client education, managing the administrative aspects of a sports
dietetics practice, collaborating with other members of the sports
management team, and scheduling clients all combine to make time
management a critical skill.
Q. If you were talking to an aspiring sports dietitian, what would you tell them?
A. Joining a professional organization is a great way to connect to the
field and to gain insight into sports dietetics practice. Specifically,
becoming involved in the American Dietetic Association practice group,
SCAN,
is one of the best ways to plug into a network of RDs in the field and
to gain exposure to the current best practices. I strongly suggest that
RDs have a good knowledge of clinical dietetics and acquire additional
knowledge in exercise science and sports nutrition.
Q. How could they get started?
A. The best way to begin work as a sports dietitian is by working with
a practicing sports dietitian in any capacity that will expand your
knowledge base and exposure to the sports world.
Q. What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned?
A. I've learned there is no quick and easy road to success. There is
something to be learned along the path — as much in our falls as in our
victories. The slow, steady journey allows us to consider and adjust
the road map, and to pursue the little side trips that life offers.
Give each step your very best, and enjoy the journey.
Q. What education has been most helpful?
A. That which I've learned from others — colleagues and clients — has
been invaluable. The time I've spent volunteering with my professional
organization has provided me with countless opportunities for
professional growth and a lifelong support network.
Q. Are you an athlete yourself?
A. Yes, I am a recreational athlete, and I routinely enjoy trying new physical activities and sports.
Q. What is the craziest, funniest, or most successful experience you've had as a sports dietitian?
A. One of my funniest experiences was the time I received a call from a
chef [whom I’d] introduced to a client. Shortly after beginning her
employment with a professional football player, she was asked to cook
for a "small party" of 40 at his house. R was just a bit nervous, only
having worked for the player just three days. I asked if she would like
my help, and R immediately said yes.
As soon as I arrived, I began to prepare the kitchen for cooking, and
the first thing I always do is clean the sink and counters. As I turned
on the water in the sink, I noticed that the disposal was stopped up
and nothing would drain. After many attempts at resetting the disposal
with no luck, I asked the player's Uncle Charles for some help. He,
too, was unsuccessful in resetting the disposal, so he proceeded to put
one of his very large hands down the disposal and remove some of the
debris.
Time was ticking and guests would arrive shortly, and we were no closer
to a solution. The next thing I know, Uncle Charles is asking for a
plunger. Visions of where plungers are normally used and what would
happen when Uncle Charles began to plunge made me sweat and fret.
Nothing I could say would deter Uncle Charles from this solution, and
he finally found a plunger (fortunately, the plunger appeared to be
brand new). Uncle Charles was a tall, strong man, and as he began to
plunge, the stainless-steel sink undulated and gurgled. I [was]
watching and worrying that [we’d] have water and disposal debris
everywhere, as the contents of the sink [erupted and splattered] over
the counter. After about ten good plunges, the disposal began to slowly
drain, and soon, nothing was left in the sink. The disposal never
worked that night, but at least we could use the sink, and I [cleaned]
up and begin cooking. We finished cooking only slightly behind
schedule, and the feast was served to a hungry and happy crowd.
Jennifer O’Donnell-Giles, MS, RD
Southbury CT
Age group & specific sports of clients:
- Age-grouper Triathletes, marathoners and runners
- High school athletes
- Young athletes
- General wellness athletes
Q. Name and credentials?
A. Jennifer O'Donnell-Giles MS, RD.
Q. What is your educational background?
A. MS Nutrition; MS Applied Physiology, Columbia University; RD,
Columbia University. (BS in psychology and business comes in handy, as
well.)
Q. What is your favorite part about sports dietetics?
A. Triathlon, running, and eating healthy are my own personal passions,
so I feel that I can help to motivate, educate, and influence others to
be the best they can be.
Q. If you were talking to an aspiring sports dietitian, what would you tell them? How could they get started?
A. Just get out there and do it — clients will come.
Q. What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned?
A. Word of mouth is the greatest marketing tool you have.
Q. What education has been most helpful?
A. A Master’s degree has certainly been my greatest selling point.
People really take you seriously. On the same note, I [also have] been
taken more seriously since completing an Ironman, so personal
accomplishment can also be an asset.
Q. What is the craziest, funniest, or most successful experience you've had as a sports dietitian?
A. I recently met an online client face-to-face, and he introduced me
to his nine year-old son as “the person who changed his daddy’s life.”
You can never underestimate the effects you can have on someone.
Q. [Is there a] personal anecdote that you share with clients?
A. “There’s an athlete in everyone, no matter what your capabilities are.”
Stay tuned each month for more of your colleagues’ stories and advice on POWERBAR.com!
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