SHPN 2025 Symposium

SHPN 2025 Symposium

Join us virtually March 17-21, 2025 as we explore the cutting edge of sports nutrition, where advanced technology meets human physiology. From the rigorous environments of military performance to the personalized insights of nutrigenomics, this Symposium will delve into how PEDs and analytics, wearable technology, and genetic insights are revolutionizing the optimization of athletic performance. Discover how these innovations are not only enhancing training and recovery but also redefining our approach to dietary performance enhancers.

View the Agenda below!

All times are in CT (Central time).
The sessions pending CPEU approval are noted.

Registration is now closed

REGISTRATION RATES - FULL WEEK

• ALL Student & Retired Members = $150
• SHPN Active Member = $225
• Academy Active Member = $300
• Non-Member = $375
  

REGISTRATION RATES - DAILY

• ALL Student & Retired Members = $35/day
• SHPN Active Member = $50/day
• Academy Active Member = $65/day
• Non-Member = $80/day

All sessions will be recorded.
Symposium registrants will have access to the recordings of the days they purchased in the event platform for 1-year after the Symposium ends.

SPACE

Commercial support has been provided by

12:00 pm CT

"Bringing a Product from Research to Warfighter" - This session will discuss the process of a product that was developed in collaboration with commercial partners a U.S. Army research laboratory.  The product was a wearable, physiological status monitoring (PSM) system.  However, the presentation uses the PSM system developed as an example of the process that research and development professionals must go to bring a product to the hands of the Warfighter.  There are many challenges that must be overcome and this presentation highlights some of those challenges as they pertain to fielding a PSM system to a specific set of Warfighers.

• Speaker: William J. Tharion, M.S., MBA, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

CPEU pending CDR approval

6:00 pm  CT

“Optimizing Environment and Tactics for High Heat in the NFL” - Discover the cutting-edge strategies and protocols designed to optimize performance and safety for NFL athletes in high-heat conditions. This webinar will delve into the core concepts, effective tactics, and real-world execution of high-heat protocols, ensuring peak performance while mitigating risks. Join us to explore how to create an environment that supports athletes' resilience and success in challenging climates.

• Speaker: Sebastian Zorn, MS, RD, CSSD
• Panelist: Dawn Lundin, MS, RD
• Panelist: Richard Smith, Founder/CEO at Fluid Sports Nutrition

CPEU pending CDR approval

12:00 pm CT

"Utilizing Nutrition Strategies to Impact Recovery Metrics" - Optimizing recovery is essential for peak performance, injury prevention, and long-term health. In this session, we will explore how targeted nutrition strategies can enhance recovery metrics, improve energy levels and support overall performance on the competition field.

• Speaker: Beth Schwartz, MS, RDN, LDN
• Panelist: Julie Brake, MS, RDN, LD
• Panelist: Karman Meyer, RDN, LDN, RYT

CPEU pending CDR approval

1:00 pm CT

"Fueling Athletic Success: Leveraging MyFitnessPal for Peak Performance" - Join us for a webinar that delves into how nutrition tracking can elevate athletic performance and recovery. We'll explore how MyFitnessPal can serve as a tool in an athletes’ fuel kit - seamlessly integrating into their training routine while empowering athletes with the information to optimize their diet for energy, strength, and endurance with the support of their registered dietitian. Discover insights into how top sports organizations like the Philadelphia Eagles, champions of the Super Bowl LIX, leverage MyFitnessPal to support their athletes' diverse performance goals. From the everyday athlete to the top performers, learn how the app's data-driven features provide actionable insights that fuel performance both off and on the field. Commercial support has been provided by MyFitnessPal.

• Speaker: Melissa Jaeger, RD, LD - Head of Nutrition, MyFitnessPal

6:00 pm CT

“Thinking Outside the Batter’s Box: Utilizing Technology to Maximize Dietitian Impact” - We’ll explore innovative ways dietitians can leverage the technology available to enhance their practice and broaden their impact. This session will teach you where to look within existing systems in your organization to find pertinent information that can optimize your effectiveness as a dietitian, as well as ways to create your own systems to individualize client care, quantify your impact, and boost efficiency.

• Speaker: Hillary Ake, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
• Panelist: Jourdan Delacruz, OLY, USAW Level 1 & 2
• Panelist: Trevor Petrucci, MS, RD, CSCS, CISSN, USAW-L1

CPEU pending CDR approval

7:00 pm CT
Student Networking - Calling all students! Whether you're dreaming of a career in collegiate athletics, industry, the military or private practice, this is your chance to meet and mingle with RDs who have been where you are — and are ready to share their experiences. Join us to ask questions, make connections, and discover new career paths in sports nutrition. All registrants are encouraged to come support the next generation of performance dietitians!

12:00 pm CT

Tactical RD Careers panel - This session will have 10-minute briefs from several different tactical RDs on how they got started and what they do now.

• Dustin Lee, PhD, RD, CSSD, MAJ, SP
• Wes Mayeux, RD, CSSD, TSAC-F, CPT, SP
• Jewel Ory, LD
• Anthony Paradis, MS, MA, RDN, CSSD, CSCS, USAPL
• Shawn Pitcher, MS, RD, LD

CPEU pending CDR approval

6:00 pm  CT

“Practical Applications of Gut Microbiome Testing in Sports Nutrition” - As biological testing with athletes is becoming more mainstream, the gut microbiome prevails as an emerging evaluation that can provide powerful insights and optimize health and performance outcomes when clinically evaluated. Learn practical knowledge about what you can glean from a microbiome test, how to differentiate between test types, who the best candidates are for microbiome testing, and tips to improve gut health whether you have testing available or not, applicable to people in and out of sport.

• Speaker: Laura Kunces, PhD, RD, CSSD
• Panelist: Joel Totoro, RD 

CPEU pending CDR approval

12:00 pm CT

“Precision Testing for Peak Performance” - As personalized medicine advances, precision, and functional testing become powerful tools for identifying individual limitations to peak performance and optimizing athlete health. In this 30-minute session, we will walk through up-and-coming laboratory assessments to evaluate gut health, nutrient status, metabolic efficiency, and hormonal balance—critical factors influencing athletic performance and recovery. Attendees will better understand how these tests move beyond generalized recommendations to provide targeted, data-driven interventions. The session will cover the science behind these assessments and practical considerations for test selection. Additionally, it will address both the benefits and limitations of functional testing, equipping dietitians with strategies to integrate these insights into personalized nutrition plans.

• Speaker: Jessica Beal-Stahl, PharmD
• Panelist: Jenna Stedman, DCN, RD, CSSD

CPEU pending CDR approval

6:00 pm  CT

"Biomarker and Performance Testing for Mitochondrial Health: From the Lab to the Court" - While we know the trajectory of health or disease may begin at the cellular level, the notion that athletic performance also starts there is an emerging topic of intrigue. Specifically, the mitochondria are of interest for different avenues of research, with researchers seeking answers to the best exercise and nutrition protocols for optimizing mitochondrial function. But how do we, the practitioners, know whether our athletes’ mitochondria are functioning optimally, and then if our interventions are working? The purpose of this session will be to address different methods by which mitochondrial health is tested in the lab and the real-world applicability of such methods. The goal of this presentation is to leave the practitioner with steps for how to test and monitor the mitochondrial quality of their clients. Commercial support has been provided by Timeline Longevity.

• Speaker: Emily N. Werner, PhD, RD, CSSD, IFNCP

CPEU pending CDR approval

12:00 pm CT

“Bros, Barbells, and Banned Substances: The Real Science of Performance Enhancers” - This presentation, will delve into the scientific, ethical, and cultural aspects of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). It provides a concise overview of commonly used substances like anabolic steroids, human growth hormone (HGH), and SARMs, exploring their mechanisms, potential benefits, and health risks. The discussion also highlights the ethical challenges of PED use in sports, the influence of social media and gym culture, and the growing need for public education on safe practices. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the trade-offs associated with PEDs and the importance of evidence-based approaches to performance optimization.

• Speaker: Damon McCune, PhD, RDN, LD
• Panelist: Rick Collins, Esq., FISSN, NSCA-CSCS
• Panelist: Len Monheit, CEO, Industry Transparency Center

CPEU pending CDR approval

1:00 pm CT
Open Networking - This session is open to all registrants of the Symposium regardless of which days they registered for. Attendees will be able to network with each other as well as some of the Symposium's speakers and panelists!