Sports RD Snippets

Liz Wluka

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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 07/14/2025

    The Future RD: Mentorship & Education for an Evolving Field

    The Future is Bright! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sunnie DeLano, a trailblazing leader in dietetics and the director of my dietetic internship program. With years of experience shaping the future of nutrition professionals, Sunnie offers invaluable insights into how the field has evolved—and where it’s headed next. We talk through her personal career journey, explore the changing landscape of dietetics education, and dive into the skills that matter most for today’s nutrition students. Whether you're an aspiring RD, a current intern, or a seasoned preceptor, this conversation is packed with practical advice and meaningful reflection. Dr. Sunnie DeLano is an associate professor of teaching in nutritional science at Pepperdine University. In addition to teaching in the undergraduate department she oversees the Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Science and the internship program for students studying to become registered dietitians. She holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Pepperdine University and completed her Master’s degree in Nutrition, as well as her dietetic internship at California State University Northridge. She holds a Doctorate degree in Health Professions Education from Logan University, with research interests in the areas of weight management and intuitive eating, child feeding practices and best practices in the area of education for future health professionals.   She began her career in the areas of childhood weight management, eating disorders and sports nutrition before moving into academia at her alma mater, Pepperdine. Academia is where she found her home and has remained so for over 25 years.Dr. DeLano teaches undergraduate courses in sports nutrition and nutrition through the lifecycle and graduate courses in weight management, counseling and education, as well as leadership and communication. She serves on the coalition for homelessness in her community and has a passion for everyone going to bed with food in their stomachs, regardless of circumstances.  Her free time is spent at the beach, treasure hunting at antique stores or traveling! 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

    1h 19m
4.9
out of 5
63 Ratings

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!

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