Sports nutrition is hot, hot, hot and you can find a job coaching and counseling sports clients just like Matthew R. Frakes, MFN, RDN, LD. Read on to learn about his career path as a sports nutritionist and private practice owner. – Sarah 

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics? I have loved food my entire life and I have a passion for just helping people. I was always the child to finish their siblings’ plates if they did not finish anything so they could avoid getting in trouble. I was also very overweight as a child, although I was in sports year-round growing up and very active.

My time in high school was when I wanted to pursue a career that dealt with food. My favorite class was the food labs in home economics.  My favorite teacher was Mrs. Kowalski, where we also called her “ Mama Walski”. It was also my sophomore year in high school where I joined the high school basketball team and lost all my weight. Our conditioning and head coach was similar to the coaching methods and coach of the movie “Coach Carter”, where I always had to do “extra” conditioning during and after practice.

The universities I attended did not have a culinary program. I was a student athlete most of my tenure in college, so I had to declare a major closest to food. My personal and athletic experiences led me to having a passion for sports nutrition and how it impacts an athlete’s performance and recovery.

Your Job Title? Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist/Sports Nutritionist/Owner

Company you are with now? Superior Nutrition & Performance

Website:
www.superiornutritionandperformance.com

Social Media:
 – Instagram: @superiorveteats
 – Twitter: @SuperiorFrakes
 – Facebook: Superior Nutrition & Performance
 – LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/mrfrakes89

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you? Typically, I work on promoting my services, studying for the CSCS credentials, learning how to become a better entrepreneur, and researching and reviewing materials on sports performance constantly and nutrition the majority of my time since I just opened the doors to conduct business. With my clients I have, I conduct my assessments, observe their trainings, and develop a menu and nutrition blueprint tailored to the individual and their goals. I also involve myself in team nutrition discussions and presentations.

How did you get your current job in dietetics? I just knew I wanted to be in the sports realm in dietetics, so I just learned what the population needed in the area I’m in, and decided I want to eventually be my own boss. I’m also working as a Nutrition and Physical Education Coordinator at Children’s Hunger Alliance, which allows me to learn and grow as a practitioner and fund the cost to be the boss when diving into private practice.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I was always born with strength, personality, reliability, and that aggressiveness to not allow anything to keep me from being successful and conquer adversity.

The skills I had to work on and learn along the way is public speaking and patience.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? Get a job and involve yourself in experiences that you will learn from related to weaknesses you feel you need to work on, or something you have professional interest in. The road in private practice is difficult and very expensive in the beginning, so obtain a position that could fund your dream. Think outside the box and step outside your comfort zone.

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? Best seating tickets to my favorite teams games: Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Bulls.

Or free airfare to trips out of the country.

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.