Name: Bronwen Lundy

Position:  Southern Lead Performance Nutritionist with the English Institute of Sport. 

Lives:  Henley in Arden, England

Favourite food:  All things Italian, cheese or wine!

Favourite sport:  Rowing, running and cycling 

Tell us about yourself. How did you become a sports dietitian?  

I always wanted to be a dietitian but during my time as a lightweight rower I found out just how crucial sports dietitians can be in helping athletes achieve their goals.  That inspired me to focus on sport and has set me up well to be both empathetic to the difficulties athletes face.  Working predominantly in Rugby Union and Rugby League now I have learnt to be tough with athletes as well! Before I moved to England I was a self employed sports dietitian working full time in sport with a mixture of rugby union, rugby league, private practice, NSWIS and AIS work. It took me a couple of years to build up my business and get the right mix of sports clients.  Being employed as a sports dietitian is quite different as I have a lot more time with the sports I work with and fully integrate into the support team.  I started out working full time with Badminton, Hockey, Sprint Canoe/Kayak and the Synchronized swimming programme but since returning from maternity leave I am focussing on Badminton and some management.

What other areas of dietetics are you interested in?  

As I work wholly in sport I have limited exposure to other areas of dietetics but have focussed on travel nutrition, catering and disordered eating as they apply in the sport setting.

Why did you become involved with SDA? 

I think SDA is a fantastic organisation of smart, motivated and fun people.  As a student I decided I wanted to be involved and since then have given a lot of voluntary time to the organization.  I really believe that that time has been more than repaid by the friends and contacts I have made and the learning opportunities it gave me.  It's nice to be doing something to help your profession gain recognition and generate more work opportunities for sports dietitians.  I don’t currently contribute to the SDA but have kept my membership to stay in touch!

What do you see are some of the major issues for SDA over the next 5 years?

As with many small organizations money is always a juggle as well as trying to keep creativity within the bounds of what's achievable.  SDA is the leading sports nutrition organisation and it will need lots of enthusiastic sports dietitians along the way to keep us there. Maintaining a high level of energy over time is always a challenge.

Which sportsperson (or team) do you admire the most and why?

I don't admire one particular sports person but admire sports people in general and their dedication and singular focus on their cause.  I am always a sucker for the underdog or people who succeed despite obstacles. I have surprised myself by loving badminton, some of the matches can make you laugh, cringe and hang on the edge of your seat.  Watching Gail Emms and Nathan Roberston play in Beijing was spectacular, such determination and self belief.

Updated March 2010