All Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have a unique story fueling their passion for health, food and fitness. What better way to end off National Nutrition Month (March) than with an enlightening interview with Erik Bustillo, a Miami Dietitian working with athletes, “being the change” and making his mark in the sports nutrition industry.What inspired you to become a registered dietitian and why a focus in sports/athletes?There were several things that inspired me to become a Registered Dietitian. My family was one, especially my brother. He was the person who planted the seed. I didn’t even know what an R.D. (Registered Dietitian) was until my brother told me about it.The next factor was being able to help people. I definitely believe in #MTWABP! (Making The World a Better Place) and helping folks out with their nutrition, exercise and lifestyle is huge!And the focus on sports/athletes, well… I grew up an athlete and a fan of sports, so working with these individuals is exciting for me! To help them reach their goals and see the fruits of their labor unravel before them is great and rewarding.Which Miami restaurant can we find you at on your days off? I love simple and healthy places. “Diced” in West Miami and “3 Chefs and a Chicken” in the Southwest Miami-Dade area. I also love Pizza (confessions of a Dietitian/Guyititian [male dietitian]), Sushi Joe for my sushi, Havana Harrys for my Cuban fix, and if I’m feeling a nice indulgence, Prime 112 on South Beach.How do you find balance? I stand on 2 feet and sometimes just open stance a little wider. But if you mean in life, between loved ones, changing people’s lives in my career/multiple jobs/businesses, making time to train myself, hanging with my pup, and just doing nothing sometimes… I prioritize.Where we focus our attention, that’s where our power goes. So doing things in order of importance to me really helps stay on track. And some days are “off days” where things are out of my control, but it’s all a matter of getting back on track.What is one thing athletes need to know about nutrition that they often neglect?Making it as much of a priority as your training! Without proper nutrition, a speedy recovery is impossible.We have to ask... favorite sport and team?I love most sports, but if I had to pick one, Basketball & Football; Miami Heat & Miami Dolphins. Couldn’t pick just one and had to represent Miami!What's your dream job?Traveling the world giving lectures (to students, companies or anyone who wants to be better than they currently are) on nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and making the world around us better, one moment at a time.And seeing what the world has to offer. We’re blessed to have this planet as our playground. That’s my “dream job.” But what I’m doing now is pretty damn awesome. Shout out to Dr. Steven Schnur (and the rest of the gang) at Elite Health/Elite FitForever.Tips for other aspiring sports dietitians?Be compassionate and truly care about what you’re doing and who you’re helping. You have to want to improve someone’s life with quality information. And join the International Society of Sports Nutrition. It’s a great organization with so many amazing people to learn from.Most definitely work hard and do not give up. Sounds cliché, but hard work ALWAYS pays off, and giving up is true failure. So try, do, and succeed. And use my hashtag #MTWABP! Because that’s a simple reminder to do great things and change the world.
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