At Top Nutrition Coaching, we’re proud to have some of the nation’s best sports nutritionists on our team. Our sports nutrition counselors have succeeded in helping thousands of amateur and professional athletes reach their health and fitness goals.
Rachel is a dedicated runner and triathlete whose passion for fitness perfectly complements her career as a registered dietitian specializing in sports nutrition. Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Skidmore College and a master’s degree in nutrition communications from Tufts University. In addition to her passion for sports dietetics, Rachel is an expert on maternal, infant, and pediatric nutrition and is a certified breastfeeding specialist.
Michelle’s background as an EMT and personal trainer has served as excellent preparation for her career as a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in sports nutrition and weight management. Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from Penn State and completed her practical experience at the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University. Michelle has worked as a nutritionist for over two decades and has significant expertise in cardiac health, diabetes, high blood pressure, gastric bypass, and liver issues.
Jaelyn loves working with fitness lovers of all levels and backgrounds. She is also passionate about healthy eating, so becoming a sports nutritionist was the perfect career choice. In addition to her emphasis on sports dietetics, Jaelyn also helps individuals with weight loss, heart health, diabetes, and prenatal and postpartum nutrition. After graduation with a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Clemson University, Jaelyn completed her dietetic internship at UNC Greensboro.
Danielle is a lifelong athlete who uses nutrition to maximize her health and fitness, even in the face of several serious health conditions. As a registered dietitian with a bachelor’s degree from California State University at Northridge and over eight years of experience, Danielle is passionate about helping others become as strong and fit as possible, regardless of their medical history. In addition to focusing on sports nutrition, Danielle specializes in weight management, food allergies, eating disorders, diabetes, gut health, heart disease, and prenatal and postnatal nutrition.
Jordan is a highly qualified registered dietitian who is passionate about sports nutrition. She earned a master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics from Oregon Health & Science University and earned bachelor’s degrees in Dietetics and Consumer Foods from the University of Georgia. In recent years, Jordan has expanded her expertise by specializing in weight loss, prenatal and postpartum nutrition, GI issues, and disordered eating.
As a registered dietitian nutritionist for over 20 years, Karin has guided her clients toward adopting a healthy, balanced, and mindful diet. In addition to general wellness, Karin mainly focuses on sports nutrition, weight loss, prenatal and postpartum nutrition, and disordered eating. Karin has a background in psychology, nutrition education, and intuitive eating and is currently working towards a doctorate in Health Education and Promotion.
Aston is a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who’s spent the past 4-plus years counseling athletes on enhancing their nutrition. His primary focus is on clients who want to improve their performance in the gym and kitchen. Specifically, Aston helps athletes eat to improve their fitness and reach healthy weight goals.
Justin’s bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Sciences and master's degree in Dietetics are part of why he’s been a trusted Sports-based Registered-Dietitian for the past 13-plus years. Board Certified as a Sports Dietetics Specialist, Justin counsels a multitude of athletes at the high school, professional, tactical, and recreational levels.
Lacy’s qualifications as a Sports-based Dietitian Nutritionist include her 12-plus years of counseling experience and her master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. She also has Sports Nutrition and Strength & Conditioning certifications, specializing in clients who want to feel and perform at their best. Lacy’s impressive resume includes working at Dominate Your Game since 2010.
A Board Certified Sports Dietetics Specialist, Hayden has 6-plus years of counseling experience as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She earned her Master of Arts (MA) in Dietetics from the University of Oklahoma and has worked alongside athletes at the novice and professional levels of all disciplines ever since.
People accustomed to an active lifestyle can be fiercely competitive and independent. Yet they may be reluctant to seek help and support even when they stand to benefit from the expertise of a professional. This is often the case with individuals who want to improve their overall strength and sports performance.
There’s a good reason why many health and wellness providers are moving online. For Atlanta residents interested in working with a sports nutritionist, telehealth platforms such as Top Nutrition Coaching offer incredible convenience and unparalleled access to the leading health and nutrition experts in their respective fields.
All of the nutritionists at Top Nutrition Coaching are registered dietitians. Many of our nutritionists hold additional certifications in specialties such as pregnancy nutrition, diabetes, pediatric nutrition, and oncology.
The process of becoming a registered dietitian in Georgia is similar to that of other U.S. states.
All candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher in a nutrition-related program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. In addition to the academic hours, all dietetics students in Georgia must complete an internship involving at least 900 hours of practical work in a professional setting. They must then pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registered Dietitian Examination before applying for Georgia licensure.
Registered dietitians who want to practice in Georgia must keep their certification current by completing 30 hours of continuing professional education every two years. This can include attending workshops and seminars or conducting research, although many professionals make use of this requirement by completing additional training in various specialties, such as sports nutrition, eating disorders, diabetes, cardiac issues, and kidney disease.
Atlanta is a great city, but it’s not always the easiest place to stick to a healthy, high-performance diet. For people trying to fine-tune their diet and maximize their athletic achievement, there are several barriers that can get in the way of consistently eating wholesome and nutritious food.
Thankfully, the fresh food landscape in Atlanta has improved in recent years. Seventy-five percent of Atlanta residents live within half a mile of a supermarket, neighborhood market, or grocery store, up from 52 percent in 2015. However, a quarter of Atlantans, especially those in less densely populated areas, still live in “food deserts.”
This leaves residents – especially those without a vehicle – reliant on fast food, convenience stores selling processed meals, and takeout and delivery services. For individuals trying to get fit and excel in sports, the lack of regular access to fresh food is a significant hurdle to following the type of diet necessary for athletic achievement.
Food deserts aren’t the only issues facing Atlantans. Many people who are passionate about improving their fitness are also incredibly busy with work and family commitments. There often isn’t enough time to read up on nutrition and prepare and eat the healthy meals necessary to fuel workout sessions properly.
The decisions you make about your diet can significantly impact your ability to participate and compete in the activities you love. We want you to feel good about your approach to nutrition, even if working with a nutritionist isn’t the right choice for you. Here are a few other options that you might want to consider.