Performance Podcast - 79 - From the GridIron to the Frontlines with RDN Diana Nguyen

SOFLETE

Dive into a conversation with George and Diana, as they sit and chat about the importance of nutrition from an omni-directional perspective on nutrition. Both George and Diana carry a wealth of experiences that they each shared on the show, only adding and connecting the dots in moving the needle forward in human performance. Furthermore, Diana believes strongly in science, research, and how science is being used to help build a foundation for the tactical professional. Re-educating each tactical professional, not only to support the physical, but most importantly, how nutrition can impact your cognitive function over time. Nutrition can be the smallest worthwhile change, aiding in lowering the chances of illness and disease, over the duration of a tactical professional career, potentially cutting their life span shorter and shorter. Diana Nguyen is a Performance Dietitian for U.S. Army Special Operations to support combat readiness, health, and career longevity for soldiers. Prior to her time in the Special Operations setting, Diana worked in collegiate athletics for 12 years, first as a Graduate Assistant at Virginia Tech, then serving as the Assistant Director for Performance Nutrition at Texas A&M University, and most recently as the Director of Sports Nutrition at NC State University. Diana is also the owner of Nguyen With Nutrition LLC which focuses on performance nutrition education for first responders and tactical professionals as well as competitive athletes. Nguyen earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Virginia Tech. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Virginia Health System in 2008. She is a Registered/Licensed Dietitian (RD/LD), and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). She is a member of the practice group Sports and Human Performance Nutrition through SCAN, and she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Collegiate & Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA) as the Chair of Research and Education. Nguyen's passion for helping athletes and professionals reach peak performance and function through nutrition runs deep. In her free time she enjoys hiking, training and spending time with her family.