MORE THAN A SHAPE

When I first started Nutrition To Perform, one of the first things that my closest friends and colleagues asked me was if there was specific meaning behind my logo.

Perhaps, you have been wondering the same!

I felt a tremendous amount of pressure when deciding my logo design, since I wanted to make sure that it served as a symbol of my passions, while bringing attention to the key aspects of my work as a sports-focused dietitian. To be honest, it was one of the final pieces that came together before launching my business, as it took awhile before finally deciding on the final draft of the logo you see!

I wanted to be sure that my philosophy and core focal points of my private practice were brought to life and, in my true methodical nature, wanted to make sure that my logo would also continue to educate the athletes I work with on the importance of nutrition for success.

The Shape

You are probably thinking, “Obviously a triangle?!” You are correct! However, the triangle shape is not just a shape for aesthetic appeal. It represents an aspect of the most significant health concern that may apply to those participating in sport as it relates to nutrition. The Female Athlete Triad, otherwise referred to as the TRIAD, has been long researched to find serious implications associated with low energy availability in athletes. At it’s peak is low energy, or the lack of supplying adequate energy in the form of calories to support sport and increased energy demands during growth and development. The other two points of the triangle are the health implications in females often seen if long-term low energy availability exists – a lack of a normal menstrual cycle (amenorrhea) and calcium deficiency, which can increase risk for poor bone mineral density and may often lead to bone-related fracture injuries. In recent years, the TRIAD has evolved to include males and is referred to as RED-S or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.  Significant research supports the negative implication of low energy availability seen in both females and males, such as poor hormone levels and various compromised body system functions.

Aside from this aspect, I loved the symbolism of the triangle shape, serving as a reminder that key considerations of an athlete’s success are connected with the sole goal of helping an athlete reach their peak.

Lastly, it’s mountainous shape also pays tribute to where I once lived and the place that brought my career passions to fruition - Colorado Springs, Colorado. I was privileged to be able to see Pike’s Peak from my office window while spending countless hours studying in prepartion to take my CSSD board examination.

The Base

If you give my logo a hard look, you will notice that the base (bottom left) is not connected. This represents the knowledge gap of nutrition as a base indicator for an athlete’s ultimate potential, which I strive to fill! This disconnect appears intentionally at an intersection occurring at the base of the triangle figure. I believe that this cracked foundation could be fixed with - you guessed it - proper nutrition.

The Hidden Truth

The truth in all of this is that I had been considering a similar design before opting with my current logo, but just was not empowered by it.  When looking at various fonts to use for my website, I discovered a unique font called Megrim. After experimenting with it on various pages of my website, I discovered that this font’s capital “A” incorporates all of the above logo aspects I envisioned. Yes, you read that correctly - my logo is the letter “A”. So, no, I am not a master craft designer, nor did I hire someone to make my logo! Simply, I stumbled upon the font, and everything just clicked! I was ecstatic because it offered yet another meaning behind my logo - “A” as in “athlete” and as in “aesthetic”!

All things said, my logo is more than a shape.

I pledge to keep my logo’s symbolism at the forethought of my actions and philosophy for Nutrition To Perform, LLC.

I hope to bring knowledge and value to the strategic plan of aesthetic sport athletes, by helping them apply key aspects of proper nutrition to find success and foster the over-arching necessity of good health.

~Passionately, Dana