Q&A with Andrew!
1. What has your journey been like after graduating from MSU Denver?
I’ve graduated twice from MSU Denver, once in 2006 from Hospitality, Tourism, and Events Management (HMTA) and again in 2013 from the Dietetics program. Definitely feels like I have crammed a life-time in since 2013; became a Certified Executive Chef, then a Registered Dietitian, than a CSSD (specialist in sport dietetics), then got a Master’s in Dietetics, worked with ultra-endurance world champions setting records, moved 7000 miles away to New Zealand, completed a PhD, and as the sport dietitian helping win two world championships and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics with the mythical New Zealand Rugby. Informally, ‘It’s been out the gate’.
2. Can you talk about your current role at New Zealand Rugby?
I am the sports dietitian for the All Black Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens Olympic Rugby Teams. As part of the multidisciplinary high-performance and medical team, my role spans multiple areas, including clinical dietetics, sports science, and operational support. My work is integral to optimizing player performance and recovery, ensuring each athlete is fueled and prepared to compete at the highest level.
3. What are you passionate about in the work that you do?
I am deeply passionate about protecting player welfare, in both the women’s and men’s teams, while achieving high-performance standards. In professional sports, the pressure to win can sometimes come at the expense of the athlete’s long-term health, often due to reliance on bro science, flawed methodologies, or a lack of evidence-based practices. My passion lies in challenging these norms by educating both coaching staff and athletes. I advocate for evidence-based protocols and best practices in high-performance nutrition, ensuring players can perform at their peak while prioritizing their health and well-being.
4. In what ways has your MSU Denver experience had an impact on your career and shaped who you are today?
The college was accessible and affordable with a wide variety of programs to choose from. It’s shared campus and articulation agreements with CCD and CU Denver made it very approachable to starting out simple and upscaling into bigger programs. I was also very lucky that it had a hospitality program and a dietetics program in the same university. To be honest, I likely would not be who I am today had MSCD/MSU Denver not been all the things I mentioned.
5. What career advice would you give to current and prospective MSU Denver students?
I can’t take credit for this saying, but it’s served me well, “Do Something Every Day” towards your goal. It doesn’t have to be big, it just needs to be something. You must be relentless in making things happen.