Performance Nutrition Series: The Challenges of Working with Olympic Athletes in a Small Country: What the Real World Really Looks Like

Catalina Fernández finished her BS and licentiate in human nutrition at the University of Costa Rica to then move to the U.S. for her master's in sports nutrition at The Ohio State University. As a former national team volleyball player, the Olympic setting was where she wanted to develop so she went on to take the IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition and to work as a sports dietitian for Costa Rica Olympic Committee (2015-2021). She is also a board member for PINES (Professionals in Nutrition for Exercise and Sport) and has specialized as an anthropometrist ISAK level 3. At the moment, she works as the coordinator for the nutritional department at Sporting Football Club, Costa Rica, privately with professional athletes and teaching sports nutrition courses for San Jose University.