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Guest Bio: Marie Spano, MS, RD, CSCS, CSSD

Marie Spano, MS, RD, CSCS, CSSD, is a nutrition communications expert and one of the country’s leading sports nutritionists. She is the sports nutritionist for the Atlanta Hawks, Blackzilians (MMA) and Chip Smith Performance Systems. Spano’s clients also include athletes in the NFL, PGA, NHL, CrossFit and more. She was the sports dietitian for the former Atlanta Thrashers (prior to their move to Canada) as well as the Atlanta Braves – Minor Leagues. Spano got her start as a graduate assistant in the athletic department at UGA, running the sports nutrition program there (reporting to Ron Courson, ATC, CSCS & Dr. Rick Lewis).

Spano has appeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, Fox and CBS affiliates, and authored hundreds of magazine articles and trade publication articles, written book chapters, marketing materials and web copy on a variety of topics ranging from novel food ingredients to optimal sports performance recovery foods. She is the author of two chapters in the NSCA’s Essentials of Strength and Conditioning, co-editor of the NSCA’s Guide to Exercise and Sport Nutrition (Human Kinetics Publishers) and currently working on another book for Human Kinetics.

A three-sport collegiate athlete, Spano earned her Masters in Nutrition from the University of Georgia where she ran the Sports Nutrition Program and her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro (UNCG), where she was a student-athlete representative to the NCAA and D1 cross country runner. Spano is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.