Member Profile: Tilly Spurr
What you do as a sports nutrition entrepreneur?
I have a split role working as a senior lecturer in applied sports nutrition and as a practitioner in elite sports. The security of a consistent role at a university has allowed me to build a strong network of contacts across sports and the luxury to read or take part in research. I also have great access to labs and technology that I may not have if working totally on my own.
The majority of my work and research is in team sports performance. I enjoy working as part of a multi-disciplinary team using nutrition to support the work of coaches and other sports science staff. I feel being fully embedded into a team allows for a much better connection with everyone and greater buy-in from athletes working on specific goals. Although I have regularly worked in football (soccer) and field hockey, I predominantly work in basketball and cricket. I am also part of the Akolyte group working in esports.
As well as having contracted roles with England Basketball and Sussex Cricket, I have my own consultancy company, ‘Eat Yourself Brilliant’. Originally focusing on the education of good nutrition and the development of resilience in talented young athletes, the company now has a wide range of clients from across sports, the education sector and business. I am also a director of Cast Iron Coffee Roasters, a speciality coffee company founded with my husband Guy.
Some of your biggest challenges
Timetabling is my biggest challenge. Working for several organisations can mean that they all want things in the same week or even on the same day. I write a lot of lists and have a meticulous online filing system to try and keep track of everything I am doing and have done.
The challenge that I am most often asked about by newly qualified students is the uncertainty over what to charge for different services. I have no magic formula for this, though I am getting better at it. I believe that most people will do some work for no fee while they build up a reputation, but you do not want to make a habit of this as it undervalues the service that you offer. Knowing how long different tasks will take you is the key, then choosing an hourly rate you are happy with.
Some of your biggest rewards
Working with young athletes and being part of their journey is rewarding. Recently, I was approached at an event by an athlete’s parents, whom I had supported ten years ago. It was amazing to find out that they credited some of his subsequent success to the knowledge he gained then.
Words of wisdom to newbies.
My main advice would be to know yourself and what you enjoy. Nutrition is a massive field with many fantastic roles you can have. Nutrition support within professional sports can mean long hours, evenings, and weekends, but if you can find a role you love, within a sport you love, it is incredibly rewarding.
