An interview with Summit speaker Riley Hughes (she/her)
We recently sat down with Riley Hughes, PhD, a nutrition expert, CrossFit coach, and eating disorder professional, to preview her upcoming 2025 FitPro Summit session:
“Empowered Nutrition: Intuitive Eating for Athletes and Active Individuals.”
In just under 8 minutes, Riley delivers a refreshing, down-to-earth conversation about nutrition that fit pros need to hear—especially those who coach in inclusive, body-neutral spaces.
▶️ Watch the full video interview here:
What Riley’s Session Is All About
Too often, performance nutrition is taught as something rigid, restrictive, or disconnected from how real people live and eat. Riley’s session takes a different approach—one that meets people where they are.
“I want people to understand that nutrition doesn’t need to—and really shouldn’t—conform to one external model,” Riley shared. “Even when we’re pushing our bodies to perform, there’s room for us to be human.”
Her session will explore:
- How intuitive eating principles apply to active individuals and athletes
- The downsides of rigid food rules—even when performance is the goal
- Why flexibility, enjoyment, and individuality matter in long-term fueling
- How to introduce nutrition conversations in inclusive, non-harmful ways
- Gentle strategies for working with clients across different readiness levels
Why This Matters in Your Coaching
Whether you work 1:1 or lead group classes, you’ve probably struggled with how to talk about food safely and respectfully—especially in spaces that reject diet culture.
As Riley explains, “You can’t talk about fueling without first acknowledging the baggage so many people bring to food.” Her session bridges that gap, offering practical takeaways for coaches who want to support clients’ performance and overall well-being.
This isn’t a lecture on macros. It’s a conversation on helping people build trust with their bodies—and bringing more care, nuance, and humanity into how we coach nutrition.
Session Takeaways
Fit pros will walk away from this session knowing…
- How to support clients working toward performance goals without relying on rigid nutrition rules
- How to avoid unintentionally reinforcing disordered eating patterns
- How to talk about fueling in ways that are inclusive, safe, and aligned with body-neutral values
- How to center both performance and body autonomy in their coaching approach
This session is for any coach who wants to help others learn how to fuel movement, support well-being, and do it all without compromising their commitment to inclusivity.
🎟️ Want to hear more?
Join us at the 2025 BPFA FitPro Summit to attend Riley’s full session live:
“Empowered Nutrition: Intuitive Eating for Athletes and Active Individuals.”
