Elite Athlete Nutrition with Jessica Isaacs
On this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, we sit down with Jessica Isaacs—elite athlete, sports dietitian, and voice of reason in the chaotic world of performance nutrition.
Jessica shares her incredible journey from serving as an aircraft mechanic in the military to becoming a trusted expert in collegiate and elite athlete nutrition. She dives into the real challenges athletes face today, especially around food language, misinformation on social media, and the overwhelming pressure to look or eat a certain way.
We explore:
The evolving role of sports dietitians in athlete health and performance
How to use positive, inclusive language around food
What it takes to build trust with athletes and create buy-in
Why collaboration between strength coaches and dietitians matters
Social media’s influence on dietary decisions
Common myths athletes believe about food and performance
Creative strategies to engage athletes in their own nutrition journey
Hydration, timing, and making nutrition stick without being rigid
Jessica emphasizes that the key to effective nutrition isn’t just what’s on the plate — it’s about relationships, trust, communication, and meeting athletes where they are.
Quote from Jessica:
“Even if you have all the letters after your name and you’re the expert—if this other person has a million followers and says things confidently, they’re going to listen to them. That’s why trust is everything.”
