The Low-Down on Diana
Diana is the “non-athlete” among the coaching team of Without Limits. She joined the team in 2010 to learn how to run, to keep up with her husband Phillip, and her children who were running at Topsail High School at that time. She was 50. As a registered dietitian, she did know a lot about nutrition and as her interest and passion for running and endurance sports grew so did her experience with designing nutrition plans to meet the special needs of athletes.
What is Her Specialty
Diana has been a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist since 1983 and a Certified Diabetes Educator since 2005. Her expertise throughout her career has been in the areas of health improvement through healthy eating and regular physical activity for individuals with diabetes, prediabetes, heart disease, and weight issues. She was Program Director for the local HMR Program for Weight Management 2008-2017. She has taken a special interest in optimizing nutrition for peak performance of her clients, many of whom have been Without Limits athletes.
Defining Moment in Her Career
Summer of 2018, my mom was diagnosed with cancer, the dietitian job I had held since 2005 was eliminated, and my coach, Tom Clifford offered me the opportunity to be the Without Limits team dietitian. It was proof that God could take the broken mess of my life and make some beautiful and amazing out of it. Looking back on it now, I am so thankful, and I know that I am doing the work I was meant to do.
Qualities Diana Respects In Her Clients
Being open to coaching, honesty in communications, willingness to try new habits and explore if they are sustainable, and persistence.
Favorite Distance
The Marathon, of course!
Guilty Pleasure
Really good ice cream with chunks of chocolate and nuts!
Top Songs on her Playlist
I Need You God by Consumed by Fire
What Does Diana Do?
Developing a strong plan for nutrition starts with assessing your current habits, setting goals around eating behaviors you want to change to achieve your health and performance goals, and as you implement those changes, monitoring your progress. Diana shares that most athletes (as well as most nonathletes) know what they should eat, but the stressors of life, a busy schedule, work, family etc. often get in the way of healthy eating. “The importance of planning and preparation of meals and snacks is equaled by the value of being open and accountable to your nutritionist; together we can do great things.”
Diana is very excited to be a part of the Without Limits team to provide Nutrition Consulting Services to all interested athletes and nonathletes.
The Best Part About Being A Without Limits Coach
Diana loves everything about being the Without Limits Team Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. “This work is fun! I get to coach and help my teammates, athletes who are very motivated to achieve big goals and willing to make the changes I recommend.” Diana’s expertise in sports nutrition, combined with 3 decades of work in medical nutrition equips her to help solve many of the nutrition challenges that athletes face. Being an athlete on the team, as well as the “nutrition coach” allows Diana to share personal insights on nutrition topics around what works for most.
