Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Mathes.
Hi Melissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In my junior year of high school, my dad survived a heart attack. As a result, he made significant lifestyle changes, notably his nutrition. We did this together with the help of a registered dietitian. I had always loved vegetables and healthier foods, but learning about how nutrition could aid in your health was fascinating to me. I knew then my career path would be in nutritional science. I graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After completing my BS in nutritional science, I entered an internship, which is required to sit for the RD exam. Once obtaining my RD, I worked in clinical dietetics in a hospital and provided nutritional counseling at an outpatient HIV/AIDS clinic. Both jobs provided me with a solid foundation in medical nutrition therapy. After having kids, I went part-time for a while until the opportunity for a private practice fell into my lap. The physical therapy clinic I received therapy from for my foot from running, requested I see some of their patients for medical nutrition therapy. This was perfect since I could make my own hours and be with my three kids. At this time, I was an avid trail runner, embarking on endurance trail running and races. I was highly intrigued by human performance and nutrition and wanted to focus my career in that area. I moved to a more sports-related physical therapy office and started working with some of their patients. I started my private practice in 2007 and knew nothing about owning a business, I had no idea of how to attract patients. I decided to visit local running and bike shops and offer presentations to their clubs. That is when my clientele started to take off. I spoke to local high schools teams like water polo, cross country, track, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and football, as well as local running, cycling and triathlete clubs. I continue to conduct presentations on sports nutrition throughout my community. During this time, I also completed my Master’s in Public Health. Around 2010, my national association, which was the American Dietetic Association at the time, now the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, created a new specialty for RD in sports nutrition. The certified specialty of sports dietetics, CSSD, requires a rigorous test you must renew every five years. I sat for the first-ever test and received my CSSD, I was one of 60 RD’s in California to have received this certification. At the time I was one of 50 RD’s invited to attend a workshop with the USOC dietitians at the US Olympic training center in Colorado Springs! This was an amazing experience and helped me carve my niche for sports nutrition counseling. A few years later, I was invited by one of the most respected sports dietitians (Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, CSSD) to write a chapter in our sports nutrition manual, which was set to debut in 2013 as an online resource for dietitians professionals working in sports nutrition across the country.
I have owned my company TNC-Total Nutrition Counseling since 2011. I mostly work with athletes, and active people of all ages, and levels, from pro, collegiate, recreational, high school to active individuals who just want to be healthy and get more from their training. I teach my patients the importance of nourishing their bodies for their sport to achieve optimal performance and overall health. My motto “Eat Healthy, Train Hard, Achieve Optimal Performance and Feel Good!”
I don’t get tired of learning about nutrition and human performance. I am always reading articles, attending professional webinars, and applying that evidence-based science information to my patients. I feel fortunate to do what I love every day!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say the road wasn’t smooth, it was bumpy personally, which in my eyes effected my business. This is because I am no longer a trail endurance runner, due to 2 failed ACL surgeries on my right knee (due to a skiing accident, and then a failed initial surgery)and a successful one on my left (different surgeon). This was initially due to a skiing accident. Unfortunately, the initial failed surgery created a chain of unfortunate injuries. All the orthopedics I had consultations with told me I couldn’t run again, and never race. These words went through me like a knife. I love running and want to run up to the day I leave this earth. So of course I struggled with this final diagnosis, not only personally, but professionally. Being an athlete and counseling athletes about fueling their bodies for performance seemed relevant since I could relate. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to understand what my patients were going through. I made the decision that I wasn’t going to follow the “never run again”advice. I chose to try a different path, with the help of an amazing physical therapist and professor at USC, Chris Powers PhD, DPT and guru in the world of biomechanics and movement. I was able to strengthen my body for running (with the additional aid of other amazing physical therapists). As a result of this work combined with eating healthy, and utilizing therapeutic foods to nourish my body, keeping my muscles strong and joints healthy, I can run again. I run three days a week and trail race at lower mileage. I know strengthening, and nutrition has supported my ability to run and continues to help me recover and get back out there. This has saved me both mentally, but in fact physically. According to a renowned cartilage specialist at Scripps, my x-ray of my knee indicates I need a total knee replacement. Conversely, I don’t have symptoms and feel fine, with the occasional need to ice. He was amazed and said it must be your nutrition and strengthening. That was nice to hear vs. Never run again. I know now, my personal experience with sports and injury is very relatable to many of my patients, and doesn’t effect the efficacy of my care.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner of Total Nutrition Counseling and am a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), that specializes in sports nutrition. I have a certified specialty in sports dietetics (CSSD), the same requirement that USOC, NCAA, and Pro team dietitians are required to have. We all share the same resources, and in fact I wrote a chapter in one of our main resource online manuals.
I love working with athletes and helping them reach their optimal level of performance. As well, as helping them change their body composition if that is the case. I can’t explain the feeling I have when I hear an athlete tell me that their performance has improved, but more than anything, I love to hear how they actually feel great during their training and competition. I think the latter really surprises many of my athletic clients. I also enjoy it when my clients contact me right after a race and tell me how great it went, or after a competition. It gives me a sense of self-satisfaction that I am actually doing something to help, when my clients see and feels the connection of how nourishing your body with the therapeutic foods for their lifestyle, with high-quality fuel and the right amount makes a significant difference in their performance, but in their overall health as well.
What sets me apart from other dietitians, is that I am VERY thorough and detailed. I make sure my clients understand the what and why of my scientifically evidenced-based guidelines. I am a handout queen, and take the time to explain everything. I feel like people want to understand how things work. For instance, take hydration, such an elementary piece of sports performance, but most of the athletes I work with aren’t adequately hydrated. I make an analogy of hydration/fluid being the vehicle that brings nutrients and oxygen to your muscles (all tissues actually). Meaning if you aren’t well hydrated, how can you perform well if the muscles aren’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients? I will take the time to explain because everyone learns at their own speed and capability. I take every new client as an individual, regardless if their nutritional issues are the same as others, everyone is unique.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I am continually appreciative of the support from my family, but specifically my husband. If it weren’t for his financial support, I wouldn’t have been able to embark on owning my own business, and keeping my private practice. Additionally, because I had the luxury of having my own business, I was able to have flexible hours to spend more time with my kids. I purposely didn’t focus on marketing while the kids were still young, because I wanted to keep my clientele smaller so I could spend more time with them. I know I am incredibly lucky to not have to work full time to help make ends meet for our family, and I don’t take that for granted. I will forever be grateful to my husband for the opportunity to have my own business, and have the flexibility to be with our kids as well. The role of luck is a large reason why I do what I do now, because of falling in love with my husband. It wasn’t luck that he chose a career path that he loved and is successful, that was hard work! We both love what we do, and are thankful for it! We often tell our kids, that it is important to find what you love and pursue that as your career in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Totalnutritioncounseling.com
- Instagram: Tnc_sportsrd
- Facebook: Total Nutrition Counseling
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-a-mathes-mph-rd-cssd-37756563
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@tncsportsrd
