This is a really good question that I wish people would ask more before doing online courses. I will tell you a bit about myself but firstly, I want to assure you that all of the tutors on MNU will have studied both a degree and a Masters in their relevant area at least. Any guest lectures on the course or in The Mentoring Lab will be from true industry experts in positions of real authority, not just internet gurus who have managed to make a name for themselves.
My personal background is as follows with some explanation as to why I think the MNU Certification can not be beaten on quality:
- Academically qualified: I have an undergraduate in Sport and Exercise Science from the prestigious Loughborough University. I then went on to get two postgraduates, one in Clinical Nutrition from Roehampton University and one in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, again from Loughborough.
- Published in Peer Reviewed Journal: I’m a named author on the following paper in the Journal of Experimental Physiology: Human angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D and alpha-actinin 3 R577X genotypes and muscle functional and contractile properties (Yeah, I didn’t understand much of what I was writing either!)
- Qualified Teacher: I spent 3 years in night classes getting 2 qualifications in ‘Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector’ which allowed me to lecture undergraduates. I love teaching and luckily for me I seem to be quite good at it. Our course will use all the techniques I have learned to help make it a positive learning experience for everyone.
- University Lecturer: I started my career as a lecturer due to my love for teaching and nutrition, it was the perfect match. I have held lectureships at two academic institutions and have guest lectured all over the country as well as in Europe. The content of the MNU Certification will not be much different to what I delivered at this academic level. In fact, some of the exact slides I used have made it in to the content!
- Strength and Conditioning Specialist: I use this term very loosely but before I realised there was too much to learn in the field of training AND nutrition for one person, I geeked out on training theory too. I’ve always felt my knowledge and personal interest in training stood me apart from many other nutritionists and academics.
- Natural Bodybuilder: While this means very little on its own, when people throw in the ‘you’re just a science geek’ card in, I throw in 5 years of competitive bodybuilding. Unfortunately I wasn’t very good.
- Nutrition Consultant: I’ve consulted for several large companies on business ventures, staff education and workplace wellness programs. These companies include Universal Pictures, Cambridge Assessment, JP Morgan, BMW, NHS and Nuffield Health. Some of the later lecturers will touch on some of these programs and there will be further opportunity to get guidance on how you can do these too in the Mentoring Lab.
- Performance Nutritionist: I’ve worked with several high level teams, athletes and sports people including my well known roles with British Weightlifting and Derby County F.C. as well as work with England Swimming, England Athletics, Leicestershire Country Cricket Club and many more athletes and teams. This will form the basis for much of the performance nutrition module.
- Nutritionist and Employer: Through my own work with clients over the years, plus the work of my staff at Mac-Nutrition, we have helped thousands of individuals with their nutrition whether that has been for health, weight loss of sporting performance reasons. This information is what we are going to use to help conceptualise the theory so that you can see exactly how it is applicable to people in real life.
- Mentor: Since the inception of the Mac-Nutrition Mentorship back in 2014 I have become an unofficial Mentor to all of the ‘mentees’. We hope to bring much of what has begun inside the private Mentorship group into the Mentoring lab to bring an amazing opportunity for professional discussion and development.
