Theo Phillips, MSc, RD

INDUSTRY & SPORT

for something nutrishus

I’ve known Theo for years, as a fellow private practice entrepreneur, a sport dietitian and a foodie friend. She has a varied/unique career path as she continues to chase opportunities and her passions. While many are starting private practices, Theo’s career story/success includes selling her practice to another dietitian.

Why did you become a RD? 

I liked science and health but when I volunteered in other areas such as physio I realized it wasn’t a fit. I took an intro nutrition class and was hooked.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Industry and my side hustle is Sport

How would you explain what you do? 

I empower other clinicians and help them to realize nutrition makes a huge difference. I know that is vague but in my industry it is surprising how often we still have to go back to the basics and truly get actions towards making nutrition a priority.   

I also have had the luxury of diving into the world of ultra-endurance.  I myself have completed races from 50km up to 161km and this has meant meeting a lot of great athletes. The interesting thing about ultra-endurance running is …anything goes. Runners eat everything from keto, to raw to pizza and chips. It is fascinating! So I have started to work with athletes and often discuss the ART of ultra-endurance as the SCIENCE is sparse for the multi-day, ultra-endurance events.  So I help knit together the science with the athlete to create a practical performance plan that can span 8 to 30 hours. 

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

I have an atypical role :) but that is what I love…the diverse, fast-paced work of industry. I meet with health care providers regularly across Western Canada to understand their needs, their patient needs and how we can support their practice using evidence based nutrition. 

What has been your career path? 

I have had a very diverse career starting in clinical but soon moving into public health/community. However, a sport nutrition opportunity presented itself in 2005 so I started a private practice. I often took roles that were new so have developed a bit of a niche with knitting together personal needs with the needs of a health region, workplace, university or company. In 2012, I sold my practice to start my career in industry and I haven’t looked back. 

What advanced education or special training do you have?

MSc Nutrition and also took some extra training in Sport Nutrition through Dietitians of Canada.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

1. In Canada, coverage should include RD services like other health professionals (ie. Massage, physio, etc).  I am assuming insurance coverage in the USA is different.

2.  We have enough RDs employed in areas such as sport, family medicine, mental health, schools, industry, health policy to name a few. 

3. We have a better way for handling food and nutrition misinformation.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I believe we need to look beyond our profession and see food/nutrition through the eyes of our patients, doctors, nurses, etc.  Once we start understanding the needs of our colleagues in other professions, we can often find win-win solutions to raise the profile of dietetics while achieving our goals.  We need to be realistic when we set objectives no matter what area we work in.  Be real, be empathetic and ask for help from those around you. 

Thanks Theo!