I grew up playing soccer in South Florida. It is all I knew at the time — school, soccer & sleep. Due to the nature of being an adolescent, I had little control over what I ate. I was left to make food choices from what was offered to me at home, at school, on trips, etc. I ate what I enjoyed, with no further thought into how the food I put into my body would affect me. It sounds silly now, but I was never taught why food really mattered. 

It was not until my time playing for the Turkish women’s national soccer team, at age 16, that I was first introduced to nutrition education. Being guided by a staffed sports dietitian, I instantly saw benefits to not only my performance, but also my overall health and wellbeing. Using myself as a subject, I then started to experiment with different foods and meal times to establish my perfect routine while playing collegiate soccer.

But I didn’t stop there, I needed to know the science behind why this was working. I went on to get a master’s degree and pursue a career in nutrition.

I’ve worked with a variety of clients including critically ill patients, non-profit organizations, cafes, media as well as numerous athletes ranging from active individuals to elite professionals. Regardless of the domain, I take an individualized, behavior change approach in my counseling and consulting strategies.

I wanted to give back to a culture and country that has done so much for me. TOHUM means “seed” in the Turkish language, which embodies the vision of the company - simplicity at the core, by reestablishing the basics of health and performance. Eating is a necessity, but more importantly the foods we consume should be enjoyed while also nourishing our needs. The Tohum community is for those that value their health and seek transparency, guidance and support to excel amongst their own needs and goals.

🌱, ST