70 - Sherry Lin: Mastering Nutrition For Dancers

Episode Summary:

Sherry Lin, a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and professional dancer. Sherry discusses how dancers and athletes can fuel their bodies effectively to perform at their highest level without resorting to restrictive diets. She highlights the importance of developing a personalized fueling strategy, rather than following rigid meal plans, to ensure long-term energy, recovery, and optimal performance.

Sherry shares insights into the mistakes many dancers make, such as under-eating or focusing too much on dieting, and instead promotes a flexible, sustainable approach to nutrition. She introduces the "performance plate" method, which helps dancers balance carbohydrates, protein, and vegetables according to their activity levels, whether they’re on low, moderate, or high-intensity days. Sherry also addresses the importance of meal timing around training and recovery to enhance muscle repair and energy replenishment.

Throughout the conversation, Sherry emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in understanding nutritional needs and encourages dancers to be their own “badass detective” to assess their unique bodies. She also offers tips on meal prep, even for busy schedules, and discusses her Optimal Performance Nutrition program, which guides dancers through creating their personalized nutrition plans.

This episode is packed with practical tips and advice for dancers looking to improve their energy levels, reduce recovery time, and sustain a healthy career through thoughtful nutrition.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Introduction to Sherry Lin, registered dietitian and professional dancer

• (2:30) Sherry’s journey from Chicago to LA and booking her first commercial

• (6:00) Nutrition’s impact on dancer performance

• (9:00) Common mistakes dancers make with diets and fueling

• (12:30) The "performance plate" and adapting meals for intensity levels

• (16:00) Why fueling strategies are better than rigid diets

• (18:30) Intuitive eating and why it's not ideal for high performers

• (22:00) Balancing physical, emotional, and mental health with food

• (25:00) Post-training nutrition for recovery and energy

• (28:00) Sherry’s Optimal Performance Nutrition program

• (32:00) Easy meal prep tips for dancers

• (35:00) Sherry’s approach to self-awareness and healthy eating

• (38:00) How to get started with Sherry’s program

• (40:00) Conclusion and actionable steps for creating fueling strategies

Biography:

Hailing from Chicago, Sherry Lin is a certified registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and dancer 

Within her first year in LA, Sherry booked her first commercial, two print advertisements, and a guest appearance on a mini-series directed by Lulu Wang, starring Sarayu Blue, Nicole Kidman, and Ji-Young Yoo.

She performed for several years with Hip Hop ConnXion Dance Company and earned a Master’s in Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Michigan.

Sherry is also the founder of Rhythm and Nutrition, INC, a nutrition counseling service helping high achievers fuel their bodies so they can sustain doing what they love to their highest ability! 

Sherry completed her nutrition degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago and has over ten years of experience working as a dietitian specializing in performance nutrition and eating disorder recovery. She promotes holistic wellness through dance, nutrition, faith, and community.

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