The Fight Nutritionist

Blazing Her Own Trail in Combat Sports

If you want to know the road ahead, ask someone coming back. This proverb guides many people on their journeys to success by advising them to seek the wisdom of those who have been where they want to go. But, what if no one has done what you want to do? You can either find something else to do, or you make your own path forward. Jackie Kaminski chose the latter and is changing the world of combat sports one day at a time.

A Pioneer in the Sport

Very few fighters were working with nutritionists who specialized in combat sports. Even if you looked at the narrow field of those that did, there were no women. Where many people would’ve seen a forest with no path forward, the Florida native saw an opportunity to establish a career and build a legacy. Kaminski grew up as an athlete in the Sunshine State as a gymnast, playing tennis and volleyball, and she also was active in CrossFit.

A Passion for Sports Nutrition

Kaminski has always been active and had a passion for sports. She always wanted to work with athletes. While she competed and enjoyed athletics, she acknowledged that her father did not make the best choices when it came to packing her lunches during her childhood. This actually served as a catalyst for her to dive deeper into sports nutrition. She started taking an interest in healthy food early on when she was younger, and that was another passion of hers.

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Earning a Master’s Degree

Kaminski embraced that passion and used it to begin building her foundation by earning a Master’s degree in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Florida State University. Her initial goal was to learn about weight loss and how she could help clients live healthier lives, but the knowledge she was gaining was igniting her fire to do even more.

Internship at the UFC Performance Institute

While she was earning her degree, she had to go on rotations, similar to those that medical students do. During this time, she was taking kickboxing classes for personal fitness. That led to her searching for nutritionists that worked with fighters. She found an internship program with the UFC Performance Institute and was one of 500 candidates to apply. She was the one that got accepted. “I think I was their second intern ever,” she said. “That is what started my passion for combat sports. I got my training from them.”

Establishing Herself as a Nutritionist

After spending 13 weeks at the Institute, she returned home knowing what she wanted to do. South Florida is a hotspot for combat sports, so she has been able to establish herself without leaving home. Her most notable clients include stars from mixed martial arts such as Jorge Masvidal, Greg Hardy, UFC bantamweight Rani Yahya and featherweight Charles Rosa, and she has even helped champions from Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC). Their five-time flyweight champion, Christine Ferea, confirms that working with a nutritionist on the team translates to success.

How You Can Work With The Fight Nutritionist

Kaminski’s client list is growing by the day, and now she is expanding her services and offering new potential clients the opportunity to learn and benefit from her knowledge, research, and experience through her six-week fight camp online program with a full meal plan included. “This would be for people looking to lose weight, achieve a fighter’s physique, or even get ready for a fight. It is based on weight class and gender. This is as specific of a meal plan as you can get for your body type.”

The Fight Nutritionist’s 3 Tips to Prepare for a Fight

Kaminski is at the top of her field, but she advises that losing weight for a fight doesn’t have to be overly complicated. She shared three simple tips for people to apply as they get ready for their next athletic encounter.

Don’t Starve Yourself

“If you can figure out your base calories, you can eat that every day and still lose the weight you need to lose.”

Keep Protein High

“We need the muscle recovery but also shedding the body fat because that is what we want to target.”

Nutrient Timing

“Eat carbs early in the day, specifically before exercise. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks can have carbs, but keep dinner to protein and vegetables only.”

Conclusion

Kaminski is a true pioneer in the field of combat sports nutrition, and her dedication to helping fighters achieve their goals is unparalleled. With her expertise and guidance, athletes can optimize their performance and reach new heights.

FAQs

Q: What inspired you to become a nutritionist for combat sports?
A: I was inspired by my passion for sports and my desire to help athletes achieve their goals.

Q: What sets you apart from other nutritionists?
A: My expertise in combat sports nutrition and my ability to provide personalized meal plans for each client.

Q: Can you share some tips for athletes looking to improve their performance?
A: Yes, I would recommend keeping protein high, eating carbs early in the day, and not starving yourself.

Q: How can readers learn more about your programs and services?
A: Readers can visit my website at www.thefightnutritionist.com or follow me on Instagram @thefightnutritionist.