A: You have to do the work. I would love to tell you that your Instagram posts will get you to where you want to be. But at the end of the day, there are some things that you only accomplish by doing the work, day in and day out. And that means it doesn’t happen overnight. It might take six months, a year, or a few years. If you are diligent, do what you need to do, work your contacts, get in the right room, and build bridges in the sports nutrition community, you can create a career that offers you many different opportunities and income streams—working with different teams and groups, different types of athletes, and different professionals. But note, it’s super important that you are  doing the work now and looking for every opportunity to say “yes” to give you the experience you need.

A: If I could only tell you all how many times I’ve been asked this question.
First, it’s about competence. You have to start with the basics of laying the foundation of competence by getting the required education.
Second, it's about confidence. Do you have confidence in knowing how to work in the sports nutrition industry and the ins and outs of how it all works?
Then finally, do you have the leadership skills to step in and start to carve out a role for yourself, create a program, or pitch a position that doesn’t exist? If you want to get experience, you’ve got to build your competence and confidence so that you can get out there. Once those things are in place, star volunteering or looking for opportunities everywhere you can. Every experience counts, but you have to put in the extra work to often make them happen.

A: How do you make your name stand out so that people invite you to stand on stages, speak, do media, whatever it is? While we all need to get paid and we all need to fund our businesses, there is value to doing stuff for free. A lot of times, you have to get out there, and you have to do the work to create a name for yourself. You would not believe how much I have done for free! The early years of my career (note I said years plural) I did talk after talk, wrote blog after blog, gave expert quote after expert quote, etc. for free! I did TV interviews for 10 years before I ever made one penny doing them. There is value in gaining experience and getting yourself out there to all different groups in all different areas. If you do the time and are a good resource, income will follow. But hear me out, many times that means just doing the work at 110% level and for free. It builds value and with value comes credibility and more opportunities.

A: Networking is crucial for professionals in the sports nutrition industry, as it allows them to connect with key players, stay updated on industry trends, and explore potential collaboration opportunities. Here's why networking is important in this field:

1. Industry Connections: Building a network of contacts within the sports nutrition industry can provide valuable insights into market trends, emerging research, and new product developments.
2. Career Opportunities: Networking opens doors to potential job opportunities, whether it's through direct referrals or by learning about job openings before they're publicly advertised.
3. Knowledge Exchange: Engaging with peers and experts in the field enables professionals to exchange ideas, share best practices, and stay informed about advancements in sports nutrition science.
4. Partnerships and Collaborations: Networking can lead to partnerships with other professionals or organizations, fostering collaboration on research projects, product development, marketing campaigns, or business opportunities.
5. Professional Development: Attending industry events, conferences, and workshops facilitates ongoing learning and professional development, which is essential in a field as dynamic as sports nutrition.

There are two main sports nutrition organizations designed for registered dietitians:

CPSDA - Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association - With over 1,600 members, CPSDA represents sports dietitians doing sports nutrition. They offer an annual conference as well as other workshops throughout the year. Plus, there are lots of opportunities to get involved via webinars, huddles, and special interest groups. The member rate is low and you do not have to be an Academy member to be a part. In my opinion, if you want to be a sports dietitian, being a member of CPSDA is a must.

SHPN - Sports and Human Performance Nutrition DPG - SHPN is the sports nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (DPG). They offer a variety of resources and webinars for sports nutrition as well as a virtual conference. There are volunteer and mentor opportunities and ways to connect with experienced dietitians. You do have to be an Academy member to be a part of this DPG.