What It’s Actually Like to Work With a Sports Dietitian Nutritionist

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm back with one last bonus episode of The Eat for Endurance Podcast to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s actually like to work with a sports dietitian nutritionist.

In this episode, I walk through how I work with athletes inside my private practice, from start to finish. I discuss:

• My background and credentials (all dietitians are nutritionists, but not vice versa)

• Who 1:1 sports nutrition coaching is best for

• How long clients typically work with me

• What my approach looks like

• The kinds of changes I often see when people get the right support in place

• And so much more!

I also share an overview of my monthly membership, Fuel for Life Crew, which is designed for busy, active people who want nutrition guidance, education, and community without full 1:1 coaching.

This episode is meant to be informative, not a sales pitch. It answers the most common questions I get about my services so you can decide if working with a sports dietitian like myself makes sense for you!

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

Who I Work With as a Sports Dietitian

I work with teenage and adult athletes across a wide range of sports and backgrounds. I specialize in endurance sports, including runners, cyclists, and triathletes, and am a longtime distance runner myself, but I also work with climbers, swimmers, strength athletes, team sport athletes, and recreationally active people who simply want to feel better and stop overthinking food.

If you don't consider yourself an athlete, that's fine. But I'm calling you an athlete if intentional exercise is part of your life.

Also, please know that you don’t need to be training for a race to work with a sports dietitian. Many of my clients are active for enjoyment, health, or stress relief, and want help fueling consistently, improving energy, managing GI issues, and/or building a healthier relationship with food and body.

My Approach to Sports Nutrition Coaching

My approach is holistic, evidence-based, and highly individualized. We don’t just talk about what to eat before and after workouts, and how many gels to take during a long training session. 

We look at the full picture of fueling in your life, including:

• Training history and current exercise routines

• Daily schedule, stress, sleep, and life demands

• Medical history, bloodwork, bowel habits, medications, and supplements

• Food preferences, allergies, and dietary restrictions

• Relationship with food, body, and exercise

• Anything else that impacts self-care

Remember, athletes are humans first. Nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all, and sustainable change requires understanding your full “life landscape,” not just your macros.

It’s important that I provide the most in-depth, comprehensive support that you deserve, which is why I accept a limited number of clients at any given time. I make sure we're a good fit by having you fill out a new client inquiry form, followed by a free discovery call so that we both feel comfortable and confident working with one another.

What It’s Like to Work With a Sports Dietitian

1:1 nutrition coaching at Eat for Endurance is about removing guesswork, personalizing everything to you, and providing ongoing support and guidance while you build habits that actually stick.

All coaching takes place inside a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform called Practice Better, where we meet via Zoom, message between sessions, review journals, and store resources and notes in one place. There's an app too, so you can access it on-the-go.

Clients meet with me via Zoom every other week, with support between sessions via chat. The first session is longer and more comprehensive, followed by shorter sessions as momentum builds.

1:1 coaching often includes:

• Personalized meal and snack ideas

• Fueling strategies for training, racing, and recovery

• Food journal review to identify and fix nutrient gaps

• Bloodwork interpretation and supplement guidance

• Support with common challenges like GI issues or underfueling

• Help navigating body image concerns and food stress

• Collaboration with other professionals (e.g. coaches, MDs, therapists), as needed

This is not a cookie-cutter plan. It’s an ongoing conversation, adjusted in real time based on your needs, feedback, and goals.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

How Long Do Athletes Work With a Sports Dietitian?

Most athletes work with me for 3–6 months, depending on their goals and challenges.

• 3-month coaching is often a good fit for athletes who:

  • Have a solid nutrition foundation but want structure, accountability, or help implementing what they already know

  • Do not have a solid foundation but are highly motivated and able to make changes

  • Are working towards one big goal, or multiple small goals

• 6-month coaching is better suited for athletes who:

  • Do not have a solid foundation and need to work more slowly and thoughtfully

  • Have complex or long-standing issues like chronic underfueling, GI distress, nutrient deficiencies, or disordered eating patterns

  • Have multiple short- and long-term goals that require more time to work on

I also offer custom programs if these timeframes don't feel quite right for you.

What Happens After a Nutrition Coaching Program?

As we near the end of a coaching program, we reassess and decide what support (if any) makes sense moving forward.

Some clients:

• Add an additional month (or more) to keep the same level of support

• Book single follow-up sessions to check in less frequently

• Transition into my Fuel for Life Crew membership for ongoing group support

• Or feel ready to go off on their own

No matter what, clients do not lose access to their notes, resources, or materials inside Practice Better, and I always love to stay in touch to hear how things are progressing.

Common Transformations I See in my Clients

While we always celebrate performance improvements and PRs, the changes I see go far beyond training and race results.

Clients often experience:

• More consistent daily energy

• Fewer GI issues

• Improved recovery

• More "fun" during training

• Less anxiety around food

• A more trusting relationship with their body

• Improved bloodwork results (e.g. increase in ferritin)

• Better sleep (quality and/or duration)

• Greater confidence fueling workouts and everyday life

These changes take time, patience, and flexibility, but they’re absolutely possible with the right approach and when you put in the work.

Read about the specific transformations that my clients have experienced on my testimonial page.  

Fuel for Life Crew: An Alternative to 1:1 Coaching

If 1:1 coaching isn’t the right fit, I also offer a low-cost monthly membership option called Fuel for Life Crew. This servie is for busy, active people who want guidance and community without committing to fully individualized coaching.

For $39/month, members receive:

• Monthly live group calls (Q&As and presentations)

• All past and future masterclasses and downloads in my online library

• Direct access to me for questions and discussions inside our private community

• Support from a diverse, fun group of active people just like you

Many members are fans of my podcast who wish to learn from me outside 1:1 coaching. Others join as a stepping stone before 1:1 coaching, or as ongoing support after finishing a coaching program. Some even join in conjunction with 1:1 coaching because they enjoy the camaraderie that the group provides.

Thinking About Working With a Sports Dietitian?

While many athletes land here after searching for a "sports nutritionist near me,” I actually work virtually with athletes across the U.S. and internationally. My goal is to make high-quality sports nutrition coaching accessible no matter where you’re located, or what budget you have.

Explore all the ways to work with me, including:

• 1:1 nutrition coaching

• Fuel for Life Crew

• Masterclasses

• Mini Guide Bundle

• Peak Performance Course

• Free resources

  
  

If you’re reading this between January 1-3, 2026, I have a big New Year’s sale happening right now! I’m offering 50% off all resources and programs (excluding 1:1 coaching, but including my membership).

That means you can snag all of my masterclasses, downloads, the discounted masterclass bundle and mini guide bundle, my Peak Performance course, and even your first month in Fuel for Life Crew, for 50% off during these 3 days only. 

Use the code JAN50 to get the deal, available through January 3, 2026 only. 

If you’ve been curious about getting support, this is a great time to start.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!