Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Pasko.
Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My early interests were in human physiology, non-fiction writing, and sport science, and nutrition captured my attention for its close connections to any health or performance goal, as well as its connections to both individuals and cultures alike. I began working in nutrition counseling and with a public health program in college, earned a Master’s in Nutritional Epidemiology from Harvard School of Public Health, and a Master’s in Public Health in Nutrition from UNC, along with the Registered Dietitian credential. I train and compete in track and field, in the multi- and ultra-multi-events (all 14 indoor or all 20 outdoor track and field events over two days). My pursuits in track and field have given me a deeper understanding of how the intricacies of food and nutrition connect with human performance, and high-level track and field athletes and runners have always been a subset of the population I serve.
Entrepreneurship always fascinated me, and I started my first business in high school, a track and field club in my hometown that produced dozens of national medalists. As I went to college and graduate school, that business morphed into 1-1 track and field coaching. Upon completing my nutrition degrees, I added nutrition coaching to my business. I focus on high-touch 1-1 Nutrition Programs intended to provide clients lasting results in their health, performance, and understanding of food, in a world where quick and simple nutrition advice is readily accessible but rarely produces lasting outcomes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Looking back, I have been blessed to serve many incredible people. A major challenge early was time; in school, especially at the end of graduate school as my business was about to grow, it was not always easy to find the sheer time to take the steps to expand my business. Another difficulty lay in changing social media algorithms. I have long had a well-followed Instagram page (@athleticpeak_nutrition, formerly @exercise_science). I long believed that when I swapped my informational page to a business page, I would have a great source of clients. Instagram’s many and frequent algorithm changes have meant that I need to focus my marketing on other places, many of which I was not initially as familiar with. As I market and look to grow my audience today, I do serve many people in very similar ways; however, different people do have different goals, challenges, and reasons for wanting to invest in an in-depth Nutrition Program. An elite high school athlete may have their eye on a college offer, whereas a family- and career-focused adult athlete may need time efficiency and clarity with food choices, and desire longevity. I am continually striving to speak to different audience members I could potentially serve, without shortchanging one group.
As you know, we’re big fans of AP Nutrition & Training . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
AP Nutrition & Training provides high-touch 1-1 Nutrition Programs that extend beyond simple advice and conversations surrounding food but rather provide clients with a deep understanding of how food choices impact their energy, emotions, and ability to perform at each juncture of their day and, more importantly, provide them with a outcome well beyond food that will transform their life in the years to come. Current programs are:
-The Next Level Program: intended for dedicated scholastic athletes – leverage factors outside of training, including nutrition, mindset, sleep, and advanced recovery strategies, along with guidance if needed on college recruiting and entry into college athletics, as a catapult to reach the next level in sports and the opportunities that go along with it
-The Always Performing Program: intended for adult athletes committed to improving over the years – leverage precision nutrition and performance recovery to boost daily energy and performance, extend longevity both in and out of sport, and never stop reaping the incredible benefits of athletic endeavors
-The Precision Health & Energy Program: intended for health-oriented adults who want long-lasting clarity and results with their health – beyond a strict diet or unstructured, intuitive eating, gain a definitive understanding of the food choices that you like that will lead you to objective health results and subjective feelings of energy and clarity throughout each day and ultimately gain permanent command your of health
-The Elite Track & Field Program: intended for high-level collegiate track & field and professional athletes – concierge nutrition service backed by experience working with professionals and Olympic hopefuls to provide elite-level athletes highly-individualized strategies to reach their hard-sought goals and leave no stone unturned
I am also expanding a library of resources intended to fill gaps in nutrition information and to be accessible to anyone. I additionally provide monthly in-person and remote track & field coaching packages.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
It is interesting in that many seemingly sporadic interests growing up tie into what I do today! I was always curious about how things worked and different topics in science. I also loved both non-fiction writing and graphic design, two areas which I thought in high school could not become part of a full-time job and yet are integral to what I do now, especially if I ultimately put out a nutrition course or written materials. Even before I committed more seriously to a sport, I enjoyed spending time outside and physical challenges, and track and field and the multi-events have been a natural extension of that. I valued both time with others and independent time, and I think both are essential to entrepreneurship. Finally, I enjoyed detailed plans more than most, and I think that planning at a longer-term level is definitely helpful with a business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.apnutritiontraining.com
- Instagram: @athleticpeak_nutrition
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-pasko
