Sports RD Snippets

Liz Wluka
  • 4.9 (63)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Sports dietitians all have different career paths that have led them to where they are today. Join Liz Wluka, MS, RD, CSSD and her sports dietitian colleagues talk about their career paths to becoming a sports RD. Collegiate, professional, tactical and private practice sports dietitians will share "snippets" of their career path including advice, insight, challenges and the rewards of the profession. If you want to become a sports RD this podcast is for you!

  1. 3D AGO

    Valarie Hannahs: IMG Academy + & Private Practice

    Anything is Possible!  Valarie Hannahs has an amazing story on her path to becoming a sports dietitian. If you’re a clinical dietitian looking to transition into sports nutrition, this episode is for you!  Val Hannahs is a sports dietitian with 20 years of experience helping athletes fuel for performance. She holds a Bachelor’s in Dietetics and a Master’s in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and has worked across both clinical and sports nutrition settings since 2006. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles from Manager to Director, including her most recent work with IMG Academy +. While she has worked with athletes across a variety of sports, Val has a strong focus on ice hockey, helping players optimize energy, recovery, and consistency on and off the ice. She is also a mom of three, and when she’s not working with athletes, you can find her training for triathlons, coaching her kids, or attending their games. Looking to start your career with confidence? Check out the website www.sportsrdsnippets.com to learn more on how I can help you!  This episode is sponsored by G2G Protein Bar!  If you’re a sports RD and are interested in samples, email me at liz@sportsrdsnippets.com or DM Sports RD Snippets on instagram and I’ll connect you with Coby Childs for your samples. Looking  to try for yourselves? G2G has also got you covered : Use the code sportsrd15 for 15% your order!  https://g2gbar.com/discount/sportsrd15

    53 min

  2. FEB 26

    5 Years Later! From Student to Full-Time Sports RD w/Nancy Siegel

    5 Years Later! Nancy is back on the podcast to share how she went from being a volunteer to a full-time sports dietitian at Ohio State University. She shares valuable lessons on navigating the transition from volunteer to graduate assistant to full-time professional. Nancy reflects on her experiences as a student and how those lessons now shape the way she practices and supports her teams today. If you’re a student or entry-level dietitian, you won’t want to miss this one! Nancy joined the Performance Nutrition Staff at The Ohio State University in December of 2024 and is a two time graduate from OSU. She completed her bachelors of science in Dietetics in 2023, and her Masters of Dietetics and Nutrition in December 2024. Team assignments include wrestling, women's ice hockey, field hockey, men/women's golf, and dance. She held various roles during her time as a student at OSU such as graduate teaching assistant, graduate performance nutrition dietetic intern, and performance nutrition operations assistant. She spent the summer of 2022 at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a performance nutrition intern gaining valuable professional sports experience in combat athletics which translated to her graduate research on investigating the changes in resting metabolic rate and respiratory quotient in collegiate wrestlers.  This episode is sponsored by G2G Protein Bar!  If you’re a sports RD and are interested in samples, email me at liz@sportsrdsnippets.com or DM Sports RD Snippets on instagram and I’ll connect you with Coby Childs for your samples. Looking  to try for yourselves? G2G has also got you covered : Use the code sportsrd15 for 15% your order!  https://g2gbar.com/discount/sportsrd15

    42 min

  3. FEB 6

    Breaking Into Pro Sports with Petra Rack: Chicago Fire FC

    Petra's Journey to the Pros! Petra Rack, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN is a Performance and Sports Dietitian with extensive experience fueling elite and high-performance athletes. She currently serves as the Head Dietitian for Chicago Fire FC, where she leads nutrition strategy to optimize player performance, recovery, and overall health through evidence-based fueling protocols, education, and daily performance support. Petra holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and is a Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian (LDN), and Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)—a credential representing advanced expertise in sports nutrition. In addition to her work in professional soccer, Petra is the Founder of Petra’s Eats RD LLC, where she provides individualized nutrition consulting, team education, meal planning, and performance-focused programming for athletes and active individuals. Her background spans collegiate and professional sport environments, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the demands placed on athletes at every level. Petra’s approach emphasizes translating nutrition science into practical, sustainable strategies that enhance performance, support recovery, and promote long-term health. She is deeply committed to empowering athletes with the confidence and knowledge to fuel their bodies effectively, both in sport and in life. Looking to break into the field with confidence! Check out my 1:1 mentoring services! www.sportsrdsnippets.com⁠  This episode is sponsored by G2G Protein Bar!  If you’re a sports RD and are interested in samples, email me at liz@sportsrdsnippets.com or DM Sports RD Snippets on instagram and I’ll connect you with Coby Childs for your samples.  Looking  to try for yourselves? G2G has also got you covered : Use the code sportsrd15 for 15% your order https://g2gbar.com/discount/sportsrd15

    1h 2m

  4. 12/18/2025

    Katie LeMair: Twin Mom, Full-Time Sports RD!

    Katie LeMair is back on the podcast—and this time, she’s joining us as a mom of twins! 🎉 Katie opens up about the real, unfiltered experience of navigating motherhood while working full-time as a sports dietitian and serving as the first full-time registered dietitian at her alma mater, South Dakota State University. In this episode Katie covers an array of topics about working in the collegiate setting as a Sports RD mom, leaving and returning to collegiate athletics, balancing a new director role with a family, and how her mindset and priorities have shifted throughout the last 5 years. This honest conversation is packed with insight for anyone juggling big life changes and professional growth. This episode is a must-listen for sports RD moms and future sports RD moms navigating career growth, motherhood, and everything in between. Katie LeMair, MS, RD, CSSD, LD is the Associate Athletic Director for Kvistad Nutrition at her alma mater, South Dakota State University, where she is proudly building the sports nutrition department as the program's first ever Sports RD.  Katie has previous career stops at: Kansas State, University of Texas (Gatorade SNIP), and the University of Nebraska, as well as owning her private practice from 2022-2025. Outside of her career endeavors, Katie is a mom to 3.5 year old twin boys: Owen and Myles.  *Sports Nutrition Models-Discussed in the episode!  Interassociation Consensus Statement on Sports Nutrition Models for the Provision of Nutrition Services From Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Collegiate Athletics  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9661935/ Looking to start your career with confidence? Check out the website www.sportsrdsnippets.com to learn more on how I can help you!  Use code RDSNIPPETS30 at checkout for 30% off product online at www.2before.com. For teams specific pricing, reach out to info@2before.com for more information.

    57 min

  5. 11/12/2025

    Hunter Baum: U.S. Ski and Snowboard

    Peak Performance Nutrition! Hunter Baum is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) currently working with U.S. Ski and Snowboard in Park City, UT. Previously, Hunter has worked with the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball and the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. He has a master's degree in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences from Montana State University and a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Health from the University of Wyoming. Hunter enjoys helping athletes optimize energy for performance, strategize for recovery, create game plans for their international travel schedules, and just play a small piece in an athlete's journey.

    42 min

  6. 10/08/2025

    Craig Moore: Red Bull's Athlete Performance Center

    Unique Careers in Sports Nutrition!  Craig Moore currently serves as the Performance Dietitian at Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Center in Santa Monica, California. He is accredited through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a board-certified specialist in Sport Dietetics (CSSD). Craig attended the University of Missouri where he earned undergraduate degrees in Medical Dietetics and Exercise Science. He earned a master’s degree from The University of Utah in Nutrition and Integrative Physiology. Prior to joining Red Bull, Craig worked in collegiate athletics for seven years serving as the Football Dietitian at The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Utah. Through his work with Red Bull and his own private consultation, Craig has extensive experience working with athletes of all levels and disciplines ranging from first round draft picks in the NFL to World Champions and Olympic Medalist.  This episode is sponsored by 2before Performance Nutrition. Use code RDSNIPPETS30 at checkout for 30% off product online at www.2before.com. For teams specific pricing, reach out to info@2before.com for more information.

    49 min

  7. 09/03/2025

    5 Years of Sports RD Snippets! Anniversary Episode

    5 Years of Snippets! In this episode, I share the journey of the podcast over the past five years, sharing insights on its origins, memorable guests, audience impact, and personal growth. I emphasizes the importance of connection within the Sports RD community and the lessons learned through various episodes. I also touch on the challenges and joys of podcasting, the significance of audience feedback, and her aspirations for the future of the show!  Looking to start your career with confidence? Check out the website www.sportsrdsnippets.com to learn more on how I can help you!  Use code RDSNIPPETS30 at checkout for 30% off product online at www.2before.com. For teams specific pricing, reach out to info@2before.com for more information.

    48 min

  8. 07/30/2025

    Lessons in Leadership with Sam Wade!

    Learning to Lead! Sam Wade shares incredible advice and practical insight on what it truly means to lead. We dive into different leadership styles, how to effectively delegate, and the key qualities that set successful leaders apart. One of the big questions we explore: Are leaders born, or can leadership be developed? Whether you're a student, a new RD, or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable takeaways you won’t want to miss! Sam Wade is the current Assistant Athletic Director of Performance Nutrition at Boise State. She oversees all sports teams, while being the primary sports dietitian for the football team. Sam was the first full-time dietitian at Boise State and has grown the program to include 15+ team members including another full-time dietitian, a fellow, graduate assistants, paid interns and student volunteers. Prior to this, Sam received her Master's degree from University Utah in Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, while working with the lacrosse and football teams. Sam developed her passion for sports nutrition at Penn State where she was also a student-athlete. Most importantly, Sam has a loving husband and  two black labs. Their favorite activities are paddle boarding, hanging with fam, and eating ice cream.  Looking to break into the field with confidence! Check out my 1:1 mentoring services! www.sportsrdsnippets.com  This episode is sponsored by 2before Performance Nutrition. Use code RDSNIPPETS30 at checkout for 30% off product online at www.2before.com

    56 min
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About

Sports dietitians all have different career paths that have led them to where they are today. Join Liz Wluka, MS, RD, CSSD and her sports dietitian colleagues talk about their career paths to becoming a sports RD. Collegiate, professional, tactical and private practice sports dietitians will share "snippets" of their career path including advice, insight, challenges and the rewards of the profession. If you want to become a sports RD this podcast is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Liz Wluka
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Liz Wluka
  • Show Website
    Sports RD Snippets

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