Today’s guest is Heidi Strickler. Heidi is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Metabolic Efficiency Training Specialist (METS), with a Masters Degree in Sports Nutrition from Liverpool John Moores University in England. Heidi specializes in nutrition for endurance athletes, the female athlete and female physiology, and plant-based nutrition. She has become a notable and respected expert in these areas, which has opened up opportunities to work with athletes worldwide, including both recreational and elite/Olympic level. Heidi also teaches Sports & Exercise Nutrition at her alma mater, Seattle Pacific University. Heidi is an avid, passionate and competitive athlete and outdoors enthusiast. Today, she competes in trail running, triathlon, cyclocross racing, and snowshoe racing for the U.S. Women's National Team. Her favourite foods include peanut butter, strong coffee, good Mexican, and the darkest chocolate she can get. In this interview, we get into her upbringing and love for the mountains, what sparked her interest in sports nutrition, the biggest misconceptions around sports nutrition and common nutrition mistakes she sees athletes make, and her thoughts on diets, supplements, and plant-based eating.

Timestamps

00:02:35 Adjusting to the pandemic

00:07:54 Growing up in the mountains

00:12:34 Nutrition growing up

00:14:32 Finding her love of running and nutrition in college

00:22:05 Becoming a dietitian

00:26:21 Biggest misconceptions around sports nutrition

00:28:04 Fueling for the work required

00:30:14 Common nutrition mistakes she sees athletes make

00:33:37 Plant-based eating for athletes

00:38:51 Plant-based burgers

00:42:14 Dessert during training

00:45:12 Thoughts on protein shakes

00:54:05 Out exercising a bad diet

00:55:38 Grocery store game plan

00:59:36 Overall nutrition philosophy

01:01:01 Her daily routine

01:03:09 Her driving force

01:04:49 Advice for people looking for the right nutrition plan