December Spotlight: Oluremi Famodu-Jackson

Provide us with a brief description of your job: TCO/Training HAUS Nutrition Manager and MN Vikings Sports Dietitian

What do you love about what you do? The diversity and variety to my job. I pretty much get to dabble in everything nutrition if I want. TCO/Training HAUS offers me the variety to practice in all things outpatient and community nutrition, along with now elevating my leadership goals. Vikings on the other hand, I get the sports nutrition part in a team setting that I love and feel like I thrive in.

What are the challenges? With all these goals and day-to-day tasks/responsibilities, comes a packed schedule, so managing it all can be a challenge, but this type of environment is what I thrive for and keeps me motivated. I like being busy. However, I like being busy to an extent. I also have a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, a husband and a large immediate family, with a solid group of friends. I try to keep connected and dedicated to showing my care and love for them, but sometimes it falls short. Good thing is that I have an understanding group of people around me, but nonetheless, work/life balance I need to continue to work on.

How has your MAND membership benefited you? CONNECTION! Sometimes I can be in my own bubble in my professional life, that I can miss out on meeting some great individuals who think about nutrition in a different way. Being a part of MAND expands this professional circle, which I am truly grateful for.

What do you think is the future of nutrition and dietetics? PERSONALIZATION. My dissertation tried to get at this. Looking at an “at-risk” group of individuals, we took national guidelines for nutrition and saw how that changed their microbiome and metabolome. If you haven’t experienced this type of clientele, you will. People want to know “how do certain prescriptions (e.g. nutrition, exercise, mental health, sleep) counseling affect me at the personal level?” We as nutrition professionals need to start exploring this type of functional and integrative nutrition. Yes – most people need to understand basics of nutrition to provide the groundwork, but I think we can’t just go global recommendations anymore. Personalization shows a client-centered approach, where you want to learn and support the whole person and where they want to be to live a long and healthy life.

What are your favorite activities/hobbies? Depending on the day, my activities/hobbies will change. If it’s been a hectic day, stepping back and doing something relaxing is my go to. Whether that be reading under a heated blanket, or jumping into a sauna or hot bath with my thoughts, this is what I usually thrive for. Vice versa, if it’s been a slow day and I need a pick me up, I love dancing, hanging with my family or friends, or going back to my day one sport, which is coaching soccer in my family’s business to little ones.

What is your favorite restaurant in Minnesota? Like my hobbies/activities, this changes. I wish I could deliver a solid answer, but if the question were “What is your favorite Thai/Indian/Greek/Hispanic/African” restaurant, then I could answer. 🙂