When Dr. Kim Schwabenbauer, an Exercise Science professor at PennWest, talks to her students about sports nutrition, she speaks from extraordinary experience. Conquering the grueling Ironman triathlon – a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run – 26 times gives her an expertise that isn't just academic; it's lived, breathed, and quite literally, sweated through. "I've seen the world that way and been able to experience it as an athlete," she says. This deep personal understanding of endurance fueling – knowing firsthand "what are you eating for all of this time on the bike?" during races lasting from 9 to 17 hours – provides an unparalleled foundation for her teaching at PennWest.

Her journey into the field began during her time as a student-athlete, running track and cross country collegiately at Penn State where she discovered her passion for sports nutrition. This passion led to an impressive professional path. After working for Steelers Hall of Famer Franco Harris's healthy baked goods company, she launched her own consulting business, counseling athletes for a decade while competing herself. This practical experience included serving as a sports dietician for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Walking into a locker room of elite, high-paid athletes and advising them on diet required tact and expertise. "Sometimes what I saw them eating... I would really end up saying, 'How did you make it this far?'" she laughs. Yet, she found them respectful and eager to learn. Her approach, a hallmark of dietetics, is always "to just meet the client... with whatever they need," making incremental changes and empowering them. Seeing those changes translate to improved on-field energy was "one of the most exciting parts" of the job.

Now at PennWest Clarion, where her own mother was a computer science professor, Dr. Schwabenbauer brings this wealth of experience directly to her students, many of whom are student-athletes themselves. She shares anonymized stories about how specific nutritional strategies impacted pro athletes, making complex concepts relatable. Students ask tough, practical questions, and she embraces them. In an era of social media influencers, she guides students to critically evaluate online claims. "Let's go ahead and pick that apart and use... evidence-based recommendations," she encourages. Assignments like the "Sports Supplement Review" challenge students to research products they might be using, often discovering the science doesn't back the hype. "If you don't understand [metabolism], you won't know whether the supplement... actually works," she explains, connecting foundational knowledge to practical application. This blend of elite experience and practical, evidence-based teaching prepares PennWest students to navigate the complex world of nutrition with confidence.