Sports RD Snippets

2 Years Later! 

In this episode, Jessica Isaacs talks all about the changes in her career over the past 2 years since her last appearance on the pod in 2021. Jess shares the transition from collegiate to professional sports, as well as how she balances creating content, sponsorships, and more! 

Jessica Isaacs is a Los Angeles-based Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She has an eclectic career, working as a full-time dietitian in the NBA and a nutrition education content creator.

Jessica’s professional career as a sports dietitian began at Kobe Bryant’s MAMBA Sports Academy, where she worked with athletes from youth, collegiate, Olympic, and professional athletes in a variety of sports. From MAMBA, Jessica served as the Performance Dietitian for UCLA Men’s and Women’s Basketball and is currently in her 2nd season as the Lead Sports Dietitian for the LA Clippers.

Jessica uses her social media to share performance nutrition education in an entertaining and engaging way, to debunk nutrition misinformation, and to disrupt diet culture

Did you hear? Sports RD Snippets is now so much more than just a podcast! 

Check out the NEW website!  www.sportsrdsnippets.com 

1:1 Mentoring- I can help you find your niche, break into the field, and start your career with confidence! 

This episode is sponsored by Momentous and Honey Stinger!

Check out livemomentous.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS15 for 15% off all products

Check out Honeystinger.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 for 20% a one time retail order

Contact [email protected] for samples and team pricing.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable! 

Emilie shares her unique journey to becoming a Sports Performance & Eating Disorder dietitian.

Emilie completed her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at the University of Connecticut, where she competed as a Division I tennis player. She went on to obtain her Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Food Science, and completed a dietetic internship at West Virginia University. She is also a Board Certified Sports Dietitian (CSSD) specializing in sports performance nutrition and eating disorders in athletes.

Emilie began her dietetic career at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston as a Clinical Dietitian, and then accepted a position at the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center (CEDC) as a Registered Dietitian.

Emilie has worked at Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital program, where she provided nutrition support to veterans and their families. During her time there she supported Home Base's tactile athletes who were competing in events such as the Boston Marathon and the Marathon Des Sables.

Emilie has also spent time as a Clinical Nutrition Specialist in the Division of Sports Medicine and Female Athlete Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and as a Registered Dietitian at MIT Recreation.  She recently completed a sports nutrition fellowship at the University of Washington through the Gatorade Sports Nutrition Immersion Program (SNIP) in Seattle, WA. 

Emilie currently serves as the sports dietitian for Brown University Athletics, Laura Moretti Nutrition LLC, and is the Exhibitor Chair for the 2023 Female Athlete Conference. 

Register here for the Female Athlete Conference in Boston!  https://www.femaleathleteconference.com/registration

This episode is sponsored by Momentous and Honey Stinger!

Check out livemomentous.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 for 20% off all products

Check out Honeystinger.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 for 20% a one time retail order

Contact [email protected] for samples and team pricing.

Veteran Sports RD!

Jennifer Gibson has incredible advice for early professionals in the field! Jenn shares a day in the life of an NFL dietitian, the characteristics and qualities of a dietitian at the pro level, and her unique role as a consultant in her career path. 

Jennifer Gibson is an internationally recognized sport dietitian with 16 years of experience in elite sport. Most recently, Jennifer spent 7 seasons as the lead sport dietitian and sport science coordinator for the Chicago Bears Football Club. Between 2006-2015 she was a senior sport dietitian and applied physiologist with the United States Olympic Committee and within the Canadian Olympic sport system.

Her consulting work has included the New Orleans Saints (2013-15), Vancouver Whitecaps MLS (2006-2011), Women’s Tennis Association Pro Tour (2006-2013) and within the NBA (2013-2014). She has traveled to over 20 countries to service her athletes including 2 Olympic Games (2010, 2012), 2 Pan American Games (2007, 2011), 1 Canada Winter Games (2007), 6 world championships, and hundreds of professional tournaments/games.

Gibson served as an adjunct sport nutrition lecturer for the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (2011-2015), and was active in research, having published 9 peer reviewed scientific papers and 7 book contributions.

Gibson completed her bachelors of science degree in Nutrition at Ryerson University and her dietetic education at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. Her masters in Exercise Science was completed at the University of Victoria in Victoria, Canada. She is a distinguished graduate of the International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sport Nutrition and a Level III certified anthropometrist with the International Society for the Advancement of Anthropometry. Jennifer is also a Board Certified Specialist in Sport Dietetics with the American Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition.

This episode is sponsored by Momentous and Honey Stinger!

Check out livemomentous.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 for 20% off all products

Check out Honeystinger.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 for 20% a one time retail order

Contact [email protected] for samples and team pricing.

1 Year Later!

A little over a year ago (November 2021: Episode 44) I interviewed an undergraduate nutrition student, a dietetic intern and a newly credentialed dietitian on their current path and future sports RD dreams. Today we catch up on what has happened over the past year!  From new opportunities, to leadership roles, to travel and more, we talk all about lessons learned over the past year and what we are looking forward to in 2023!

Meet our Panel-

Chelsea Shafer graduated from Purdue University in 2020 and was so involved in the sports nutrition department that she went on to a dietetic internship focused on sports nutrition and entrepreneurship. In the past year she passed the RD exam and moved to London, which made it challenging to follow a traditional path in dietetics. Currently she works virtually as a dietitian in clinical and disordered eating recovery, podcast manager for 3 shows, virtual assistant to a private practice, and a yoga teacher.

Nancy is currently a senior Ohio State University majoring in Human Nutrition/Dietetics with the ultimate goal of becoming a Performance RD. She is working as the President of the Sports Nutrition Club which includes working in fuel zones, creating volunteer schedules, and facilitating general membership meetings with the performance nutrition team. She also owns a small business titled “Nutrition ‘N Nancy” that produces homemade protein bites that are sold at local farmers markets and business wholesale. Her biggest accomplishment was spending the summer of 2022 as a Performance Nutrition Intern at the UFC Performance Institute. The listed experiences have led her to pursue a career in sports nutrition. Next fall she hopes to attend graduate school for a coordinated masters program in Dietetics and continue to work with athletes.

Alex Winnicki MS RD - Director of Olympic Sports Nutrition at Liberty University and Assistant Coach of Liberty’s Cycling Team. Formerly a SNIP fellow at Northwestern University, and alum of Lamar University and Appalachian State University. Professional interests include eating disorder treatment and prevention nutrition and training for endurance sport and omega-3 supplementation, personal interests include cycling, camping/hiking with my fiancé and dog, weight lifting, cooking, and reading.

This episode is sponsored by Momentous and Honey Stinger!

Check out livemomentous.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 for 20% off all products

Check out Honeystinger.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 for 20% a one time retail order

Contact [email protected] for samples and team pricing.

Pressure is a privilege! Collier Madaleno shares incredible advice for students and entry level RD’s looking to break into the field of performance football nutrition! Collier talks all about bowl prep, behind the scenes of fueling the College Football Playoff, the value of lifelong recruiting, and so much more!

Collier Madaleno is finishing up her fourth season as the University of Georgia’s Director of Football Performance Nutrition. Before Georgia she served in a similar position as head of football nutrition at the University of Florida. Collier grew up in Athens Georgia interested in food, nutrition, and college athletics. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama and got her Dietetic internship and masters from Georgia State University. Collier was able to work in Alabama’s Sports Nutrition Department and at IMG in their NFL combine training program.

This episode is sponsored by Momentous. Use the code RDSNIPPETS20 to get 20% your order. Check out their website at livemomentous.org

Fueling the World Series! Lisa Clarke has an incredible story on how she became the major league dietitian for the Houston Astros. Lisa shares advice on how to break into the field, baseball specific nutrition, and how to capitalize on unique opportunities in your career path. Lisa also shares the behind the scenes of fueling the World Series! 

Lisa Clarke began her position as the Major League Dietitian in February of 2022. Lisa serves as the nutritional resource for the Astros players, coaches, support staff and medical staff. As part of her duties, she coordinates and executes nutrition programming, which includes medical nutrition therapy and performance nutrition. The athlete’s progress is monitored and evaluated by combining their individual blood work, body composition, supplements, and hydration plans.

Lisa oversees organization of home and travel nutrition and catering, assists the Astros Head Dietitian with the development of the department’s policies and procedures, and supervises the AAA Minor League Dietitian.

Prior to her position as the Major League Dietitian, she served as the AAA Minor League Dietitian Apprentice for the Astros 2021 season, assisting in the 2021 Post Season as well. In this position she oversaw the AAA Minor League athletes’ nutritional needs and individual performance fueling plans, as well as organized home and travel nutrition and catering.

Before working for the Astros, she was the Director of Sports Nutrition at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, serving as the dietitian for 15 teams competing at the Division I level. Prior to Lamar Athletics, she served as the primary sports dietitian for the spirit squads and assisted the football dietitian at the University of Texas at Austin.

Lisa earned her bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and completed her master’s degree in Sports Nutrition at Auburn University. She is a Registered Dietitian, licensed in the state of Texas, and is a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).

This episode is sponsored by Momentous. Use the code RDSNIPPETS20 to get 20% your order. Check out their website at livemomentous.org

Mentors are key! Emily Kaley talks all about her incredible mentors that have helped her become the Sport RD that she is today! Emily has a unique path that will inspire and motivate anyone that listens.

Emily Kaley, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD, ISAK 2 is in her 7th year as a Sports Dietitian and just finished up her first season with the Washington Nationals as their MiLB Performance Nutrition Coordinator and the Nationals first full-time dietitian within the organization.  Emily joined the Nationals after two seasons with the New York Mets as their MiLB Performance Nutrition Coordinator and the organizations first full-time dietitian (2019-2020).  In 2021 Emily was invited to assess the next generation of baseball talent at the inaugural MLB Draft Combine where she completed ISAK skinfold measurements on all draft players.  From 2017-2018, she served as Madison Square Garden’s first assistant performance dietitian working with the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, Westchester Knicks and Hartford Wolfpack.  She worked as an assistant performance dietitian within the Chicago Cubs organization in 2017, and worked for the United States Olympic Committee Swimming and Track & Field teams as a sports nutrition consultant leading up to Rio 2016.  Emily graduated from Simmons College in Boston, Mass. in 2013 where she played lacrosse.  In 2017, she received her master of Sports Nutrition from the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and went on to Culinary School at Culinary Tech Center in Manhattan where she obtained her certificate in commercial cooking and catering and completed her externship under French Chef, Jean-Georges.  Emily greatly enjoys cooking and exercising, she was also bit by a huge travel bug and likes to explore and experience different cities and countries as much as possible.  You’ll find Emily in Brooklyn, NY with her family and cute baby nephew during the offseason!

This episode is sponsored by Momentous! Visit their website at livemomentous.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 at checkout to get 20% off your order!

Trust the Equation! Brittney talks all about importance of trusting your journey to becoming a Sports RD. From graduate assistant, to full-time performance dietitian, to consultant, to sales, Brittney has done it all. In this episode you'll learn the behind the scenes of consulting and sales!  

Brittney Bearden is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics with over 10 years experience in college and professional sports. Brittney started her career in college athletics as a Graduate Assistant Sports Dietitian at Auburn University and went on to be the Performance Dietitian at Indiana University. From there, Brittney was the Sports Nutrition Manager at Texas Health Sports Medicine where she worked with individual athletes and teams. During her time there, she worked with the Dallas Mavericks, FC Dallas, the Dallas Wings, and Southern Methodist University. She has been a sports nutrition contributor on the Golf Channel as well as an adjunct professor for Sports Nutrition at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Brittney currently works as an Account Executive at Notemeal, which is the leading athlete performance nutrition platform. Brittney graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's in Nutritional Sciences and went on to obtain her Master's in Exercise Physiology at Auburn University. Brittney completed her dietetic internship with an emphasis in Medical Nutrition Therapy at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.

This episode is sponsored by Momentous! Visit their website at live momentous.com and use the code RDSNIPPETS20 at checkout to get 20% off your order!