Alyssa Koenen | The Pursuit of Wellness

Alyssa Koenen is a former athlete and the Founder of Lyss Koenen Performance Nutrition. In her role, she consults for the Gold Coast Suns Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) Team and the Queensland Academy of Sport.  

The QUT Alumni team sat down with Alyssa to discuss her career, the difference between Nutritionists and Dietitians and what it’s like to pursue wellness in the digital age.

Can you tell us more about your private practice and what inspired you to found the business?

I’ve always had a deep-rooted passion and a growing itch towards helping others optimise their health and performance. Starting off as a volunteer Surf Life Saver to then representing Australia for Surf Life Saving, has really shaped my career path and drive to work within the sporting space.

With my experience as a former athlete, I understand the unique challenges that people and athletes face, from juggling training sessions, social commitments, and trying to maintain a work-life balance. This is largely what has prompted me to open my own private practice, as it allows me to offer tailored guidance and support for people from all walks of life including weekend warriors, everyday gym goers, and professional athletes.

In doing so, I’m able to support clients in improving their performance, achieve sustainable body re-composition goals, and optimise long-term health and wellbeing. My ultimate goal is to provide clients with the knowledge and tools necessary to create a healthier and happier life, all in a realistic and sustainable way. At the core of my nutrition philosophy is a deep commitment to delivering holistic, evidence-based, and enjoyable nutrition advice. I firmly believe in fostering a healthy relationship with food that promotes overall happiness and fulfilment.

You also work with the Gold Coast Suns AFLW Team and the Queensland Academy of Sport. What might a standard week look like for you?

In my consulting role, I’m currently working with Women’s Football, Women’s Rugby 7’s, Triathlon and Swimming athletes. With such a varied workload, there is no such thing as a 'standard' week. However, it often consists of one-on-one consulting, game day nutrition planning, food service, catering, supplement provision, multi-disciplinary team meetings, meal planning, resource development, and nutrition education sessions, to name a few key tasks.

What’s the difference between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian? What should an individual look for when seeking to engage a professional?

Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) are highly qualified health professionals and nutritionists who have completed a minimum four-year tertiary degree. They are governed by Dietitians Australia, ensuring a high standard of expertise and professionalism.

APDs provide evidence-based nutrition advice, including medical nutrition therapy and dietary counselling, to help individuals achieve their health goals. They are knowledgeable and skilled in translating scientific research into practical guidance tailored to each person's unique needs.

Accredited Sports Dietitians (ASDs) have undergone additional training and accreditation through Sports Dietitians Australia. They are experts in sports nutrition and are dedicated to supporting athletes and active individuals in optimising their performance through proper nutrition.

With the guidance and expertise of APDs and ASDs, you can trust that you are receiving reliable and personalised nutrition advice to enhance your health and wellbeing.

It’s important to note that the term 'nutritionist' is not as tightly regulated as 'dietitians.' Therefore, you can find nutritionists who have varying education levels, ranging from completion of online courses all the way through to tertiary degrees.

As a Dietitian in the digital age, what role do social media platforms play in your business?

Over the past decade, it’s no surprise that the evolution of social media platforms has had an enormous impact on most businesses, including my own, for several reasons. Overall, I have found social media platforms help to increase visibility, build a personal brand, attract clients, educate followers, and stay connected with what is trending in the nutrition and wellness industry. By consistently sharing evidence-based content, I believe that dietitians can better position themselves as trusted experts in the field and hopefully break through some of the misinformation and noise that exists within this space.

What is one goal you'd like to achieve—professionally or personally—in the next year?

Working with athletes and seeing their incredible feats, is extremely motivating and helps feed several of my own personal goals. Since retiring from sport myself, I have taken up long-distance running and am currently training for my second marathon at the end of this year. I would love to run a personal best and will continue to challenge myself with different races and distances over the coming years.

Professionally, I’m currently really enjoying the variety of work that I do across team sports, individual sports and with my own private practice. Over the coming years, I hope to further expand my own private practice and possibly open a clinic in person to see people face-to-face and online.

How do you stay updated on the latest industry developments to ensure you can deliver relatable and best-practice advice to your clients?

In staying up to date in the nutrition field, I utilise a combination of professional memberships, continuing education, and peer-reviewed research. I aim to attend as many conferences as possible and follow scientific journals to stay informed on new studies and best practices. Networking with fellow colleagues and sports dietitians, monitoring updates from health organisations, and staying active on social media also helps with tracking emerging trends. Collectively, these strategies help with my delivery of evidence-based, up-to-date, and practical advice to athletes and clients.

What is your favourite meal?

I really can’t go past anything Mediterranean, especially Gyros with slow-cooked meat, tzatziki, and hommus. Plus, plenty of fresh herbs and veggies!

If you had a magic wand, what’s one thing you would like everyone to know about nutrition?

I’d want everyone to know that there’s no one-size-fits-all diet; what works for one person might not work for another. Nutrition isn’t about strict rules or 'good' and 'bad' foods, but balance, variety, and enjoyment. It’s important to find what nourishes your body in a way that makes you feel good and supports long-term health, all whilst recognising individual needs, preferences, and lifestyles.

Can you name some of the individuals who inspire you? What qualities in these individuals do you admire?

When I’m asked who inspires me, I automatically think of my parents, friends, and clients who all do so in unique ways. From my parents, I admire their resilience, hard work, and unwavering support. Their ability to face challenges with perseverance motivates me to bring the same level of commitment and empathy to my clients. My friends inspire me with their authenticity, loyalty, and ability to balance work and life, reminding me of the importance of staying present and having fun! Finally, my clients show amazing discipline, focus, and determination. All of which I seek to emulate in my own life, through applying this mindset to both personal and professional growth. Together these qualities fuel my passion for helping others achieve their nutrition and performance goals.

What is one skill you couldn’t live without and why?

As a sports dietitian, I couldn’t live without effective communication and rapport-building skills. This allows me to connect with clients, athletes, and colleagues in a meaningful way, thus ensuring that I can explain complex nutrition concepts in a way that’s relatable and practical. Whether motivating clients, collaborating with peers, or offering support, good communication helps me build trust and foster positive relationships, making it the core of my work and interactions with others.

QUT degree – Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (2019).

Do you have a question for Alyssa? Connect with her on LinkedIn.