Introducing Krista Neugebauer, our exceptional team dietician and the star of this month's athlete spotlight! Krista is not only a dedicated wife and mother of two, she is also an incredible triathlete who has earned a spot in the prestigious IM 70.3 World Championship. Alongside her athletic pursuits, Krista provides top-notch coaching on nutrition and dietary strategies for fellow athletes. Get to know all about her accomplishments and inspiring journey by continuing to read!
Age: 36
Occupation: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
How long have you been swimming, cycling, running, and/or doing triathlons? Swimming/Cycling/Triathlon for 9 years. Running, since I was born 😊 Well, basically, but more organized run training for about 11 years. I have always loved running but joined a team in 2012 to train for my first marathon, Nike Women’s Marathon.
What aspects of triathlon do you enjoy most? Pre-kids, I loved the social aspect of getting together for training and of course, racing. Triathlon was one of the ways I spent time with Michael and our friends. Having a team helped me stay motivated, accountable and consistent. During the week, I would meet teammates for a run, bike, strength or swim practice. Then we would meet on the weekend for long training sessions. I would get to see my team 2-4 days a week. This has changed a lot since having kids. Now, I train mainly alone, all times of the day and each session has very specific goals. Now, when I get to race, and I do LOVE racing, I enjoy being with other athletes, the opportunity to demolish myself and be an encouragement to others along the way. When I podium finish, achieve my goals or PR it is icing on the cake!
What has been your favorite training or racing event, and why? Oh this is hard. Three come to mind. Nike Women’s Marathon, IM Chattanooga and 70.3 IM Worlds. Nike Women’s Marathon was my first marathon. Michael and I raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and were a part of a fantastic team. It was our first introduction to endurance training and racing. As far as IMCHOO and Worlds, I love road trips and exploring new places. For both races, Michael and I were able to have adventures along the way, race together in beautiful places, accomplish dreams, and just spend time together doing what we love.
What is your favorite post-workout or race meal?
Post-workout: Good quality fajitas with guacamole
Post-race: Good quality chocolate milkshake
- I like good quality food. 😊
What is one recent accomplishment you are proud of? (race, academic, life goal completed, etc): Honestly, each day is an accomplishment! And all the parents say, AMEN! 😊 We have two energetic boys who love life and teach me how to be a better person every day. Aside from that, I am very proud/blessed to have qualified to race at Worlds last year. When Michael qualified, it was a dream to qualify with him. With his support, I raced Lubbock, had a horrible swim and was determined to stay focused on my goal of qualifying. Much to my surprise, I was able to qualify to race with the best! Being able to experience Worlds with Michael was an amazing accomplishment!
What do you want to be when you grow up? An inspiration. I want my life, training, success and failures to be a motivation to others to get out there and try. Believe they are worth it and no matter what never give up. Balancing life, training and racing is hard. That is part of why I do triathlons. Training for IMTX and IMCHOO taught me so much about myself. How hard I could work. How long I could push. Even when it gets hot and I am tired, there is no quitting. Health and wellness are non-negotiable. My mantra during races is “I am strong. I am capable. I will not quit.”
What is something no one knows about you? Most people assume that as a dietitian I always eat healthy. I love desserts, but I am picky. Michael will often try something and let me know if he thought I would deem it “worth it”. My favorite dessert is Godiva chocolate cheesecake.
