Ross came to nutrition as an intersection of his environmental and social values, passion for physical performance, connection to nature, healing his own body with food, and the joy of sharing food with others.
Ross grew up in Unalaska, Alaska, a small island in Alaska’s Aleutian Chain. He moved to Salem, Oregon to attend Willamette University where he received a BA in Psychology. During that time Ross also contributed to multiple conference titles in Cross Country and Track as a varsity athlete, and discovered a love for fresh, local, seasonal produce. It was around this time that he started to learn how certain foods were contributing to health conditions he'd grown used to living with, how eating different foods could heal him from those conditions, and how his food choices impact the environment. This was the start of his journey to understand how he could live out his values, heal his body, and improve his physical performance through the food he chooses to eat.
Ross has also struggled with restrictive eating and excessive exercise in pursuit of body image ideals (read more). This has led to some challenging experiences, but with help and guidance he is now in a place where he can practice self-acceptance and nourishing himself responsibly. This journey continues to teach him a lot about the impact our relationship with food can have on our lives and the things we love to do. Ross takes a trauma informed approach to nutrition coaching and hopes to guide others who find their health, quality of life, and performance limited by challenging relationships with eating and exercising.
His background in psychology and mental health, and his passion for the environment, social justice, physical performance, adventure, and food as medicine all inform Ross' choice to use nutrition as his mode of healing and enriching quality of life.
Ross graduates with a Master's of Science in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine in July 2024. He has been working as a nutrition coach and personal trainer since June 2023.
When he’s not living out his dream of supporting people on their nutrition and health journey, he enjoys spending time cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, eating and sharing food with loved ones and friends, running on roads and trails, strength training, powerlifting, backpacking, climbing mountains, outdoor photography, traveling, and living life with his partner.
Currently Training for: Marathon (running) August 12th 2024 - Goal time Sub 2:45:00, Powerlifting Meet October 19th 2024 - Goal total: 1450 lbs
Accomplishments
- Summiting & Circumnavigating (running around) Mt. Hood (Portland, Oregon). About 48 miles in total and 15,000 ft of elevation gain in 19 hours 20 minutes and 51 seconds from start to finish. Alone and self-supported.
- NWAC 2016 & 2017 All-Conference in Cross Country
- NWAC 2016 & 2017 Conference Cross Country 1st place team
