Hi, I’m billy watkins
I am a Registered Dietitan Nutritionist (RDN) and competitive endurance athlete.
Personally, I am a supportive husband and loving father. When my wife and I aren’t training for our next race you can usually find us hiking, cooking or chasing after our toddler. I discovered my love of cooking after begrudgingly being forced into action to support my wife during her medical residency. My wife and I went plant-based in April 2018 and have enjoyed expanding our veg-friendly diet ever since. I started a modest garden during the pandemic and have enjoyed the benefits of home grown food. I look forward to supporting or sparking your interest in cooking as we work together.
Professionally, I’ve been a practicing dietitian since 2015. Initially I specializing in pediatrics but have continued to expand my interests throughout my career. I became board certified in Lifestyle Medicine in 2022.
I have experience in both inpatient and outpatient practice. As an inpatient dietitian I’ve had the privilege of working with premature babies and other critically ill children. As an outpatient dietitian I’ve worked with thousands of clients and their families with varying needs such as disease prevention and management, eating disorder counseling, sports nutrition, childhood & adolescent weight management, plant-based nutrition, irritable bowel syndrome, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as food allergies and intolerances.
Nutrition has been a second career for me after graduating with a degree in Chemistry in 2006. I also spent time between 2006-2014 as the Head Age Group coach of a premier swimming club in Pennaylvania that reached the top 20 nationally during my tenure.
Competitively, I’m a former Division I swimmer who found triathlon. I’m a 2x Ironman Lake Placid and 70.3 World Championship finisher. Lately you can find me running trials or chasing PRs on the road.
The lifestyle medicine approach:
what is lifestyle medicine?
Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention—including a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connection—as a primary modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat and often reverse chronic disease.
If you are an athlete your nutrition can be a powerful way to help enhance your training, conversely you could be sabotaging your training gains with poor nutrition. Let me provide you with individualized counseling and education to enhance your daily nutrition for optimal health and sports performance. And if you have personal health issues or a medical condition that needs to be taken into consideration turn to a licensed professional not a google search for evidence-based guidance.