Ever wanted to work as a dietitian for a professional sports team? Kate Moran, RD, LDN is the sports dietitian for the professional baseball team Minnesota Twins. And she’s the owner of Owner of The Educated Plate. Read on to learn how she landed her job in sports nutrition and started her own private practice. – Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics? When I was on my college crew team, I had to maintain a specific weight to row on the lightweight boat. I watched some of my teammates spend hours exercising while slipping into unhealthy eating habits. They were miserable. I made a choice to dive into nutrition. My fashion industry management major was no longer my focus, but rather food and to learn about its power to help me reach my goals. I hosted dinners for my friends and teammates, testing out recipes that lead us to have lifelong friendships and a much stronger bond competing on the water. Later I transferred and switched my major; one of the best decisions I could have possibly made!

Your Job Title? Minnesota Twins Sports Dietitian & Owner of The Educated Plate

Company you are with now? Minnesota Twins / SodexoMAGIC & The Educated Plate

Website: www.educatedplate.com

Social Media:
 – Facebook: www.facebook.com/educatedplate
 – Instagram: @educatedplate
 – Twitter: @educatedplate 
 – Snapchat: educatedplate 
 – LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kate-moran...

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you? My day starts and ends with Educated Plate work; social media, counseling, emails etc. My weekends are typically full of blogging, networking and growing the business. During my “day job” with the Twins, I work with athletes on an individual level through counseling and plate coaching during meals. We’ll have nutrition class where I’ll educate a group on a variety of topics from hydration to gaining muscle. We also spend time touring the grocery store and I’ll educate players about which foods to buy when on the road and staying within a budget. Spring training is insanely busy! You’ll often find me in the kitchen working with our culinary team reviewing the menu and developing recipes like our homemade sports bars and chia pudding parfaits.

How did you get your current job in dietetics? For nearly four years I had been grinding it out with two worldwide foodservice organizations opening up new lines of business before landing this dream job. I had been offered new opportunities during this first phase of my career by surrounding myself with positive, driven people who believed in me. I truly believe having a strong professional network is a key factor in today’s competitive employment marketplace.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? Both of my parents are successful entrepreneurs. They have led by example, showing me how to dream big, work hard, and never give up. I’d like to think I was born with positive energy that I share with others. I continue to learn about food and nutrition as the research changes daily. I’ve learned a great deal about social media and technology simply to keep up with the world we live in. I also continue to learn about myself, which is an important part of successful leadership.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? When I worked at Bryant University I organized a food and nutrition fair for National Nutrition Month. It brought the community together; comprised of 40 vendors, student organizations and departments. Rebecca Pacheco, Boston’s 2015 best yoga instructor and author of Do Your Om Thing, was our keynote speaker and signed her newly released book with words of advise: Dream BIG! With that ammunition, months later I was giving the opportunity to interview with the Twins and instead of entertaining an hour phone call 2000+ miles away, I flew down and led the interview with a presentation expressing every reason the organization needed to hire me. My advice: connect with people, listen and learn from them, and don’t be afraid to work extremely hard. Above all – believe in yourself 110%.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? Positive impact on the people I interact with. Maya Angelo once said “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Knowing I’ve empowered someone to take charge of their life in a new way is a remarkable, heartwarming and rewarding experience.

Sarah Koszyk is founder of Family. Food. Fiesta. A family-based wellness program and blog focusing on recipes, family health tips, and videos with kids cooking in the kitchen. She is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach specializing in sports nutrition and adult and pediatric weight management. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn.