Expanding the Arena-February Edition

Our featured dietitian for the month of February is Monica Salafia MS, RD, CPT. Monica is a fitness dietitian within her own business, Mind on Nutrition.  Within her business, she has the opportunity to work with NFL combine athletes. She is also a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer for Denver Parks and Recreation.

What is your educational background and how long have you been an RD? Do you have any additional credentials relevant to your position? 


I have both a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition Science and a Master’s in Applied Nutrition from the Sage Colleges in New York.  I have been an RD since August 2016. Additionally, I also am a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach. 



How did you achieve your position/ how did you get started with your current position?



I created my own private practice in Denver, CO, working virtually with clients using the Healthie online platform. My client case load began to grow as I networked within Denver fitness community. This led to consulting with four fitness studios as their dietitian. Along the way, I crossed paths with the head coach at a performance training gym that also performs physiology testing. The head coach was also looking for a dietitian, and I began working with NFL combine athletes in addition to aforementioned members of Denver gyms and fitness studios. 



What key areas of knowledge/experiences did you need to have before this job?

Networking experiences have been critical in my dietetics career. During my internship, I felt my networking in fitness nutrition was lacking, and I asked if I could find my own fitness nutrition preceptor, and I did. I just had to move to Denver to work with him! 



From there, it was an easy transition into the gyms and fitness studios where the topic of nutrition would come up, and I could introduce myself as an RD. I get pummeled with questions about every fad diet, so knowledge of physiology is key. I think having a strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and medical nutrition therapy plus interpreting research. These are the areas all RD’s need to master before they specialize. 



I work to keep up to date in sports nutrition practices by using the Sports Nutrition Handbook, The Journal of International Sports Nutrition, and referencing other sports and weight management specific articles.



Lastly, I feel it is important in my role to have a passion to work out and understand the practical application of what you are teaching. I don’t think one needs to do every kind of workout out there. I haven’t played on a football team after all, but having a true passion for fitness and “walking the walk” is important to be able to connect with this audience.





What are the highs and lows of your position?



I love that I am creating my own path, which certainly has its challenges but I also find it thrilling. There aren’t many dietitians working in private boutique gyms and fitness studios. I also enjoy that I have had dietitians reach out to me and ask how I have gotten into this position, so this says to me that dietitians in gyms and fitness studios is unexplored territory. 



A challenge that I encounter is I have to consider my pay rate accordingly. If a member is paying less than $200 for a month of unlimited access to group fitness classes, paying for weekly personal nutrition coaching sessions can be expensive to them. I also have to study my competition. In Colorado, there are “nutritionists” everywhere. I once met a “gut health nutrition expert” at a yoga studio.  I set my own rates that clients pay out of pocket, and because not many RDs fill this type of role, there isn’t a large pool of data to know “what’s fair”. One of the biggest challenges for RD’s wanting to enter this space is not knowing what to charge. 


All this said, it is this entrepreneurial path that makes what I do so rewarding. I’m happy to navigate this territory because I know this is where dietitians need to be working. Gym and fitness studio owners need to see that hiring Registered Dietitians is just as important as hiring fitness instructors. 



What is a typical day for you?


A typical day doesn’t really exist but a typical week does.  I might have scheduled anywhere from 5-10 individual coaching clients whom I meet with virtually or in-person. I will exercise at some point and also use this as a networking or marketing opportunity. 



I use Instagram as my marketing tool so I spend time creating content for @monicasalafia.rd and my website www.mindonnutrition.com . I also create nutrition education materials and distribute them to gyms and sell them online to other dietitians interested in the fitness space via a digital marketplace. 


I also revise menus with the chef who works alongside me and the NFL combine athletes. My job is to make sure that the menu is nutritionally adequate but also food the players will eat. I have weekly check-ins with the players to make sure they are meeting their weekly nutrition goals: not skipping meals, not overdoing sweets and eating most of the meals the chef has provided. 



On weekends, I host a nutrition workshop at a gym or a healthy eating establishment to talk about fitness and nutrition goals.



There is some brand work involved in between as well. I like to connect with local brands and share their products with my clients. When I run group nutrition programs I often use these brand items as incentive for completing a certain task like submitting a food journal.




Lastly, because I am such an advocate for Registered Dietitians and my mission is to get more dietitians in gyms and fitness studios, I carve out time to mentor dietitians and/or RD2BEs who are interested in this space. I work with them on projects I have, meet with them on Zoom, and create digital courses for aspiring fitness dietitians to learn how to get stared.

What advice would you share with an RD (or RD2be) that is interested in a similar career path?



It’s all about who you know, so get to know everyone who think you want to work with and share your skills with them. I think that my extroverted personality has naturally led me to building connections that got me to where I am today. I’m not any more intelligent or had a better schooling opportunity. I just talked to people and took on a “Yes I’ll Do It” …but figure out how later approach. 



The fitness nutrition field isn’t for every dietitian. I have been able to successfully blend both a macronutrient-approach and mindful and intuitive eating approach when coaching clients. People in this space come to me because they want to change their body composition and reach their fitness goals. I am in full support of that and help them figure out how to do that without instilling a diet mentality. Since this is a gym and fitness space, I’d advise those interested in a similar career path to not enter this field and tell people weight loss in unethical. Understanding weight management, motivational interviewing, and knowledge on sports nutrition is critical. 


What is your greatest strength/weakness as a dietitian?


I am futuristic and visionary so I see amazing things happening for dietitians in the future which, given the nature of nutrition in the media I would say is pretty important. It feels like anyone and everyone is the nutrition expert, but I never let that keep me from believing in our work as RDs, and that’s instrumental in my progress. Also, gym owners and fitness studios sense the passion I have too, and that makes them want to hire a dietitian. 



Since I am so enthusiastic about my work and the future of dietetics, I have a tough time setting boundaries. For example, I was assessing a DXA scan with a physiologist and we got to talking about the field and so much time passed I ran out of time to do my own workout!


What are some of your interests outside of work?


I enjoy listening to non-nutrition or health related podcasts while taking my dog Belinda for a walk. I also enjoy being creative; although, that usually means I’m creating something for my work.  



Other than that, I like working out, mostly just weightlifting on my own with headphones in and a sweet playlist I made. I really love music, live music especially. My favorites are Bassnectar, Griz, and other electronic dance music artists.


What aspect of sports nutrition (or any other area of dietetics) interested you to pursue it as a career?



I’m personally interested in fitness and how nutrition can fuel the body to achieve certain goals. Anatomy and physiology are my favorite subjects, and having an understanding of nutrition and how it applies to physiology  amplifies that for me. When I first started powerlifting with my brothers, I ate a salad before a workout (whoops!) and nearly passed out underneath a barbell bench press. Not only was that terrifying, but I was embarrassed because those were my big brothers I just did that in front of! That day I decided I’m going to learn how to fuel my body right because clearly that fitness magazine I was reading was a not a great resource! 


Why have you decided to work with athletes or similar groups?


There is a need that must be fulfilled. Who gets more nutrition questions than a personal trainer? No one. I did an Instagram poll, and almost 89% of people said that an RD was more like a doctor than a personal trainer, and while yes, academically we’re closer, I think the public needs to see us more like they view personal trainers! Don’t just come see us when you’re sick, see us to help you become and stay healthy!



Because I’m naturally in gyms and fitness studios because of my own interests in exercising, I can connect with the members. I decided to work with the NFL Combine athletes because that was an opportunity that I absolutely had to experience.



How do you deal with the daily stresses presented to you in your career?


I remember that life is something beautiful, and nothing in life is permanent. I’m not always cheerful; I for sure have my moments, but I’ve been working on adopting those two mentalities and being grateful. When all else fails, I call my mom or my sister.


Prior to getting your credentials, did you have any experience in nutrition (ie. food service, volunteering, etc.)?


When I was 15, I knew I was pursuing dietetics so my experiences have always been in pursuit of the dietetic licensure. I worked at a hospital in food service (for about 4 weeks) and did a lot of volunteering. My pre-RD experiences were typical of a dietetic student.


What do you love about your career/job?


Everything! I love creating my work day, making discovery calls, and listening to clients tell me their health histories. I love being able to empathize with clients about all of the conflicting information about nutrition, which also helps build rapport! 


Everyone has their minds on nutrition these days, so I love being a resource for members, gym owners, and other dietitians. I love when a client texts me a video of her doing pull ups or eating a sweet potato after having some “diet mentality” fears around that food. Being able to watch people learn that food is fuel and they don’t have to be afraid of it and helping people reach their fitness goals with food is my passion.



Is there a course you took in undergrad or grad school that has helped you in your current role? 


 Nutrition Communications and Exercise Physiology have helped me tremendously! We need more exercise sciences in our curriculum. I also took a Weight Management course in grad school, which really helped me get an understanding of what we know about current evidence-based guidelines on weight management. Since most people want to change their body composition when they step into a gym, that class was very helpful. However, my communication skills have been invaluable in helping clients see we are working towards body confidence, not weight loss. 





What are some of the unique nutritional considerations you must consider for the group(s) you work with? 


Immediately I’m thinking of the NFL Combine players and how I am teaching the chef that nutritional considerations for football players who exercise twice daily and need to build muscle mass are not similar to the general population. 



I pay attention to make sure that the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are all adequately meeting the players needs but also that sodium is pretty liberal, considering they will sweat a lot and they may not eat 100% of their meals.



In the gyms and fitness studios, I consider the energy and carbohydrate needs of mostly women with whom I work. For the most part, I focus on them eating enough food in general and foods that do not irritate their guts. I focus on calorie and nutrient density principles when I educate clients.







Expanding the Arena - January Edition

Matt Stranberg is the lead dietitian and exercise science advisor for the Walden GOALS program. The Walden GOALS program is an athlete specific eating disorder intensive outpatient program. Matt’s main job duties include conducting nutritional and exercise science assessments, individual counseling, hosting educational groups for athletes, coaches and parents, hosting meals and food exposures, and writing and implementing nutrition and training treatment plans.

He is heavily involved in writing the curriculum for the program, treatment collaborations, communicating progress, and and continuing care plans on an ongoing basis to the patient, family, treatment team, referral source, and other individuals involved in the patient’s care.

In addition to these activities, Matt participates in weekly treatment team planning, discharge planning and liaison services with the dietary department. Outside of the GOALS program he conducts workshops, seminars and engages in marketing and prevention efforts in the community.

What is your educational background and how long have you been an RD? Do you have any additional credentials relevant to your position?

I received my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a minor in History and my Master of Science in Applied Exercise Physiology and Nutrition. I have been a registered dietitian for 3 years and a certified strength and conditioning specialist for 7 years. I utilize all of these aforementioned degrees in my daily practice as each athlete requires knowledge of the science and art of training and nutrition in a wide variety of contexts. Although I am not credentialed in the fields of psychology, counseling, and motivational interviewing, I often devote most of my study outside of work to learning more in these areas, as they are critical to understanding and assisting my program’s demographic.

How did you achieve your position/ how did you get started with your current position?

After completing my dietetic internship, I brainstormed an idea to combine my background in strength and conditioning with my love of nutrition, counseling and psychology. I applied for a part time inpatient position at Walden Behavioral Care and pitched the idea for athlete specific eating disorder treatment with my esteemed colleague Paula Quatromoni. Walden’s CEO Stuart Koman was interested, and after a couple months of preparation, we launched the program and began treating athletes from a wide range of backgrounds.

What key areas of knowledge/experiences did you need to have before this job?

It has been critical to be well versed in training and nutrition theory as well as first hand application. Before becoming a registered dietitian, I was a lifetime athlete and coach, and competed seriously in a wide range of sports. In my past life, I trained to be an elite powerlifter and strength and conditioning coach, but a back injury inspired me to diversify my skill set. Without thousands of hours studying in the classroom and applying in the weight room, I would not be able to appropriately understand or assist my athletes. Studying nutrition and training concepts is simply not enough as most of training and nutrition relies heavily on the art of application and the rigorous empirical methods developed over many years of intense work in the trenches. Additionally, past knowledge and application of psychology, counseling, and motivational interviewing has proven absolutely critical in the field since optimal training and nutrition plans cannot be implemented without facilitating behavior change. This is especially true of athletes who struggle with eating disorders and mental illness.

What are the highs and lows of your position?

The highs involve exercising my creativity and knowledge to help create a program that can help athletes overcome mental illness and the opportunity to collaborate with the athlete and the team during their recovery process.

The low of the position is the mountains of paperwork needed for documentation required by insurance. This is standard in the medical field but annoying nonetheless.

What is a typical day for you?

Before athletes arrive for an evening in the GOALS Program, I spend time with my colleagues discussing our educational strategies and individualized athlete care plans. Once program starts, I facilitate an interactive group where athletes gain knowledge on sports nutrition, practice behavioral skills, set personalized goals, and process their experiences with other participants. We share dinner each night at the program, giving athletes an opportunity to plan, prepare, and eat a meal that meets their needs. I also conduct weekly, private counseling sessions with each athlete, helping them process eating disorder struggles and customize a meal plan to meet their specific nutritional needs. An important part of my day involves communicating with parents, coaches, and other providers involved in the athlete’s support network to ensure comprehensive care.

What advice would you share with an RD (or RD2be) that is interested in a similar career path?

Intern, shadow, research, and observe as much as possible before applying for a position. It is critical to understand early on if this work is right for you. Additionally, it is crucial to take an inventory of your own beliefs and habits to determine if working with eating disorders is a good match. Eating disorder dietitian Marci Evans offers a free tool (https://marcird.com/resource/is-eating-disorders-work-a-fit-for-me/) to help you understand strengths and possible areas of growth before considering entering the field. These experiences and the quiz are not meant to discourage but rather, highlight prerequisites that need to be addressed before working in the field or determine if the work is something you actually might enjoy. Internships and volunteer experience are critical to help someone understand what they like and more importantly, what they don’t like. Volunteering in law internships my freshman year of college helped my understand early on as a History major that I did not want to become a lawyer. I shudder to think about what my life might have been if I had ignored these early signs.

What is your greatest strength/weakness as a dietitian?

My greatest strengths are my work ethic, willingness to learn, curiosity, empathy, passion, and flexibility.  My greatest weakness is a need for more overall experience. Although I have worked as a coach and athlete for over 7 years and dietitian for 3 years, I can always benefit from more experience and time refining my skill set.

What are some of your interests outside of work?

I enjoy powerlifting, mixed martial arts, reading books, articles, and research, listening to podcasts, watching movies, playing videogames, trying new restaurants, cooking, baking, and spending time with my girlfriend and friends.

What aspect of sports nutrition (or any other area of dietetics) interested you to pursue it as a career?

As a fledgling high school athlete, I was determined to be the best. I dedicated countless hours to reading journals, books, and articles to help plan my own strength and conditioning programs. This ignited my passion to continue this journey with others throughout college. In an effort to maximize my own training and my athletes’ careers, I devoted the majority of my undergraduate and graduate career to coaching and was heavily involved in the exercise science lab researching walking and running form. This interplay between the acquisition of knowledge and the art and science of applying that knowledge to coaching further cemented my interest in the connection between nutrition and exercise science. During graduate school and my dietetic internship, I developed a love of counseling and an interest in eating disorders, and after I graduated, I decided to create a career which blends all of my interests.

Why have you decided to work with athletes or similar groups?

I enjoy working with athletes with and without eating disorders because I too once struggled with an eating disorder as an athlete. I can understand the mindset and cultures that can produce an eating disorder as well as the factors that facilitate recovery. My patients are also fun and highly motivated, and they often test my knowledge of exercise science, nutrition, psychology, and counseling. Every athlete presents a new challenge and opportunity to learn and grow as a provider and as a supporter.  

How do you deal with the daily stresses presented to you in your career?

I regularly schedule self-care in my day and throughout the week. Self-care includes regularly exercising and eating in a manner that enhances my wellbeing, aiming to obtain sufficient sleep nightly, meditating regularly, seeing a therapist weekly, engaging in a wide variety of hobbies, and dedicating time throughout the week to hang out with my friends and/or girlfriend. Lastly, I have enlisted several coaches and supervisors to provide guidance and counseling with my own training and work.

Prior to getting your credentials, did you have any experience in nutrition (ie. food service, volunteering, etc.)?

Interestingly enough, nutrition was an integral part of my job as a strength and conditioning coach. When I first started, most strength and conditioning coaches and trainers did not have the luxury of working with dietitians, and sports dietitians were rare. As a result, I observed and learned from other coaches who had degrees in nutrition and/or were self-taught. I know this is generally frowned upon in the dietetics community, but many of my best mentors and experiences in nutrition came from self-taught coaches who understood sports nutrition, but more importantly, were top tier experts in the art of applying the concepts with high level athletes. These were my primary experiences before the dietetic internship.

What do you love about your career/job?

I love the opportunity to collaborate with an athlete to facilitate improved training and overall mental and physical growth. The relationship between coach and athlete is extraordinary. It requires trust, patience, countless hours of struggle, and years of work for dreams to come to fruition. Knowing that I play a part in this challenging process is incredibly special. I am also interested in the wide range of topics covered by sports dietetics and eating disorders including nutrition, exercise physiology, psychology, and counseling, and my job always challenges me to learn more every day in a wide variety of fields.  

Is there a course you took in undergrad or grad school that has helped you in your current role?

As someone who now mentors and precepts interns, I find myself reflecting on this question frequently. First and foremost, I would implore all nutrition programs to mandate several classes dedicated to Motivational Interviewing (MI). When working in the field, practitioners soon realize that although knowledge is important, simply providing excellent information will not always result in positive outcomes. To avoid the pitfalls of the “old expert model,” MI is a mindset and tool that helps practitioner collaborate with their clients to navigate ambivalence and take action when they are ready. Additionally, utilizing MI helps keep practitioners mentally healthy, since the goal is not to change people but rather normalize ambivalence, emphasize client autonomy, and help the client explore and increase their own readiness/confidence to change. There is a reason why MI classes were my favorite and are on the rise in the healthcare field; it works.

What are some of the unique nutritional considerations you must consider for the group(s) you work with?

Outside of general sports nutrition principles, I have to consider a wide range of side effects related to eating disorder pathology, psychiatric medications, allergies, intolerances, gut disorders, as well as medical and psychiatric illnesses. These factors often add additional layers of complexity with each athlete and are one of the main reasons why I love my job. I am always interested in a new challenge!