First, I just want to say I’m thrilled to be working with one of the greatest racquetball players of all time (I’m saying it because Cliff’s too humble 😉 as his nutrition program as well as the many players he coaches.
A little on my background. I am a Nutritionist and Certified Food Services Director for a large school district, managing a staff of 82 employees and overseeing meals in 17 schools for approximately 12,000 students. I also am on the Executive Board and serve as the Legislative Chair for the Michigan School Nutrition Association. I received my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Michigan State University and participated in swimming, synchronized swimming and soccer. My background also includes work as weight loss consultant, nutrition educator and teacher. I organize various programs to not only help decrease chronic illnesses in children and adults but I am also an advocate to stop hunger not only in MI but throughout the US. I also run various programs to assist the needy as well.
I first got involved with racquetball when a mutual friend of Cliff and I needed some advice about nutrition for himself and his daughter. When he asked how much I charge, I said nothing. He knew I was an athlete and asked if I ever played racquetball. I had never even picked up a racquet and he took me outdoors, introduced me to the game, and I was hooked! I travel the nation playing tournaments. I’ve started training with Cliff to improve my game and I’m seeing great results. I am a sponsored player with Team Ektelon.
Being an athlete all my life, I have always had a passion for nutrition. My father is a vitaminologist and herbologist so nutrition hasn’t been a stranger to me. I always had to take my vitamins and had every food from the food group on my plate growing up. I knew I wanted to continue that and study how the foods eaten by athletes affect their performance.
There is more demand now than ever to learn the effects and functions of food, especially when food related illnesses are on the rise. For example, childhood obesity, diabetes, anorexia, malnutrition and many more.
Also, too many people want a quick fix to lose weight, so they under nourish their bodies and head to gym and work out too hard. They don’t know how to eat prior, during or after an event. I am always asked “Can you help me? I just need to lose this, gain this or maintain this”,. But there’s much more to it than most people know. As intense and hard on the body as the racquetball is, it is extremely important to know what to put in your body.
I look forward to working with Cliff to take your game to the next level by teaching you how important diet and nutrition is to your performance on the court!