This month, Orgain is thrilled to feature advisory board member Scott Sehnert, MS, RD, CSCS, CSSD, who shares about his inspirational journey toward becoming a sports dietitian, and more. Scott is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Named the Dallas Cowboys’ Director of Sports Performance leading into the 2016 season, Scott works closely with both athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches in developing player-specific nutrition and recovery plans. Learn more about Scott and Orgain’s other seven nutrition advisors here.

1. We would love to hear about your journey toward becoming an RDN.  Why did you decide to pursue this profession?

I started off at Ball State University as an exercise science major as I was on the football team and interested in becoming a strength and conditioning specialist.  When I “retired” from playing football and began coaching high school football and playing club lacrosse at Ball State, I was no longer in the varsity weight room and lost interest in the profession of strength and conditioning…for a period of time.  I remained interested in health and sports, and then read about an NFL player seeing a sports nutritionist in the off-season.  I thought, “health and sports,” that’s what I’ll do.  I Googled (there was Google then) “how to become a sports nutritionist,” and fortunately it directed me to become a Registered Dietitian.  Also, fortunately Ball State had a dietetics program.  Despite the director of the program telling me I’d never work in sports nutrition, I decided to move into that major.

2. What is the most rewarding part of the work you do?

Building relationships with players, coaches and staff.  I love helping with their overall health, but that’s just the gateway to build healthy relationships, which I ultimately enjoy.

3. What is one of the most frequently asked question that you receive from athletes and what are your recommendations?

“Isn’t there too much carbs in that?” Almost every time, the education turns to the fact that they utilize so many carbohydrates in the training and competition they go through that they have a need for a considerable amount of carbohydrate.

4. What are the greatest challenges and opportunities within sports nutrition?

Challenge – The challenge is often in athletic departments/clubs recognizing the difference between “sports nutrition personnel” and a sports nutrition program.  One is running around just getting food in the right places where the other is helping change behavior and culture around food.

5. What interested you in becoming a member of the Orgain Nutrition Advisory Board?

I value the story of Dr. Abraham.  We have a motto in our department, that we’re here to “serve and solve.”  Dr. Abraham saw a problem that needed to be solved and through that he is serving a huge community.