Elite athletes don’t have “a trainer.” They have a team. A nutritionist, a strength coach, a mindset specialist, and a medical lead. At Coya, we believe you deserve the same architecture.
Today, we want to introduce you to one of the key minds behind our method: Dayna McCutchin.
What is your professional background?
I completed my undergraduate degree, dietetic internship, and master’s degree all at Texas Tech University. Upon graduation, I joined a surgeon’s practice as an outpatient dietitian, and served as the contract dietitian at the Southwest Cancer Center — attending weekly rounds for primarily head, neck, and GI cancer patients.
Around that time, I began working with a handful of athletes and fell in love with helping people reach their maximum potential through diet. It took almost a year, but I was given the opportunity to start the sports nutrition program at Texas Tech University. I became a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics and served as their director for nearly ten years.
During that tenure, I also had the opportunity to contribute to several areas of research, including body image within female athletes and then started my private practice, DM Nutrition, which is where I connected with Coya. This fall marks the beginning of my fourth year with the Coya team, where I currently serve as Director of Nutrition.
In your specific field, what is the one common piece of ‘popular advice’ that you completely disagree with, and why?
Fad diets and quick fixes. Obstacles and problems in health aren’t usually created overnight. Solutions aren’t either. I pride myself in creating sustainable nutrition guidance that our members can implement for the long term to support their wellness goals. Quick resolutions yield temporary results.
We talk a lot about non-negotiables at Coya. What is one non-negotiable in your personal daily routine?
Starting each day with 16 ounces water + electrolytes + collagen.
What is a personal health or performance hurdle you’ve had to overcome recently?
I began having intermittent joint pain along with some other symptoms that kind of came out of nowhere. Through one of Coya’s Women’s Vitality Cohorts, I was able to work with our Nurse Practitioner, Liz Bouma, who helped me navigate some hormonal considerations that came to light through some of our specialized testing. I am deeply thankful for Liz’s guidance and direction.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received — not necessarily about health or fitness, but about life — that has stuck with you?
Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. I try to apply this in my approach to most things in life.
When you aren’t working or coaching, how do you unplug? (AKA what do you do for fun)
I enjoy almost anything outdoors! I play tennis as much as I can. My entire family golfs. I love anything around the water and am a tournament saltwater angler.
