Got Questions? Good. Let’s Answer Them. Here’s what athletes ask before we start working together.
Why should you choose Coach Cassandra as your Endurance Coach and/or Performance Dietitian?
Because I’m not just your coach. I’m also your RD. And I’m an athlete just like you, with my own coaches, my own race goals, and 80+ finish lines on my legs.
Most athletes work with a coach who hands off nutrition to someone else, or a dietitian who has never stood at a start line. At Catalyst, you get both in one person: evidence-based training and nutrition built together as one integrated strategy, from someone who has lived everything she coaches.
What is your coaching style?
Direct, detail-oriented, and data-driven, but always grounded in your real life. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader! (And loudest one too, trust me!) Every athlete comes to Catalyst at a different starting point, with different goals, different schedules, and different histories. Your plan reflects that. No cookie-cutter programs, no one-size-fits-all advice. Just a strategy built specifically for you.
What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a nutritionist?
This one matters and it’s worth knowing before you take nutrition advice from anyone.
A Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) completes a minimum of a Master’s degree in nutrition, a 1,200-hour supervised dietetic internship, and must pass a national board exam. We’re licensed by the state, held to continuing education requirements, and legally accountable for our practice. A majority of states now require licensure to provide nutrition counseling to anyone.
A “nutritionist” has no formal requirements. None. Anyone can use that title regardless of their education or experience.
When your performance and your health are on the line, credentials matter.
What forms of payment do you accept? Do you take insurance?
Coaching services (endurance and strength) are processed online through our secure client portal.
Nutrition counseling. Catalyst accepts insurance for nutrition counseling. We currently participate with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna and United Healthcare. If you want to use your insurance benefits, start by completing the veriification of benefits form on the Insurance – New Patients page. If your insurance does not cover medical nutrition therapy, we accept self-pay by credit card including HSA/FSA.
Do you use apps in your services?
Yes, strategically. Endurance and strength clients use TrainingPeaks to track training. For nutrition, I use apps like Cronometer selectively and short-term typically to establish a baseline, not as a long-term tracking tool.
Why? Because obsessive food tracking isn’t a fueling strategy and for some athletes, it can do more harm than good. Every tool gets used only when it genuinely serves you.
Do you work with clients remotely?
Yes! I coach and train athletes both primarily remotely using HIPPA-compliant platforms for nutrition sessions.
Currently, Catalyst Nutrition & Performance can see patients in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Orgaon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennesse, Texas and Virginia.
Not yet licensed in your state? Reach out anyway. There may still be a way to work together depending on your location.
I already have a coach. Will you work with me for nutrition counseling only?
Absolutely! I’ll collaborate directly with you and your coach to make sure your daily nutrition and fueling strategy aligns with your training load, your race calendar, and your goals. You don’t have to choose between the two, you can have both.
Do you provide race day nutrition planning?
Yes, and this is where it all comes together. Race day nutrition planning is included in select services and covers everything from pre-race fueling and on-course nutrition to post-race recovery. No more guessing what to eat the morning of or figuring out your gel strategy mid-race. We build the plan in advance so race day is just execution.
