Meet the others
Robbie Clark -Dietitian
Robert (Robbie) ClarkDietitian
At Elevate we love to brag about our talented team. Robbie Clark is one of those people. Growing up as an athlete, Robbie has always taken a special interest in his own nutrition. His passion grew as his understanding of how food can affect the human body and its performance. As a dietitian, Robbie treats a broad range of food related conditions. His ability to relate to and understand his clients makes him a standout from the rest. This combination of knowledge, experience and personality is unique and we are proud to have Robbie here at Elevate.
Interview with Robbie Clark
Where do you come from/ where did you grow up?
I grew up most of my life in Sydney, but spent 3 years in my Undergraduate degree up north in Lismore, and 2 years of my Postgraduate degree in Canberra.
What were your interests growing up?
Lots of sport - in particular gymnastics. I started the sport when I was 7 years old and was involved in it for over 14 years as an elite gymnast (until injury stopped me from competing), coach and judge.
As I get older, travel, food and cooking has become a large part of my life.
What got you into the health industry?
Being an elite athlete I was always conscious of health and performance. As a result, I was always intrigued about learning how the body worked and responded to the foods we put into it.
How would you define optimal health and lifestyle/what is your philosophy?
Optimal health, to me, is very much individualised. It incorporates an individual’s physical, emotional and psychological well being. It is also about setting achievable and realistic health goals in order to feel the best you can be. Some people need guidance to set these goals and by working with me, I can help achieve this.
A healthy lifestyle is all about balance. Being able to balance work life, family, social life and relationships is a major contributor to our level of happiness. Even though this is a hard task for most, we only have a certain amount of time on this earth and thus, it should be enjoyed.
What do you try to achieve with your clients/patients?
I see many patients with different conditions and therefore, each plan/objective is different and individualised. However, I want my clients to feel reassured that coming to see me is the first step to a healthier lifestyle. Together we will go on a journey in achieving measurable outcomes and results that my clients set.
What do you specialise in/ Focus on?
As a dietitian I focus on all areas of nutrition as I see clients with many different nutrition related conditions/illnesses. These may include: chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and heart related conditions, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and kidney disease. Other areas of focus include general nutrition advice, weight loss or healthy weight gain, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies and intolerances, pregnancy and sports nutrition.
Qualifications/Education: (please include where you obtained qualifications)
Bachelor of Exercise Science & Nutrition (Southern Cross University, Lismore)
Master or Nutrition & Dietetics (University of Canberra, Canberra)
Level 2 Gymnastics Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
Level 1 Trampoline Coach (Gymnastics Australia)
Industry Association Member:
Member of the Dietitians Association of Australia
What makes you different from other practitioners in your field?
I like to think that I have an exceptional rapport with my clients. Coming to see a dietitian can be intimidating for some people and therefore, I work hard to connect with my clients and make them feel comfortable and at ease. As a result, we are able to work together in a stress-free environments and achieve the best possible outcome.
What makes you an expert?
Throughout my studies, I have learnt that it is of vital importance to keep up to date with the most credible, reliable and recent research and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in your area of practice. Therefore, I would like to think that I provide this to my clients.
What are your interests now?
My current interests include spending as much time with family and friends (as these are a recipe for happiness). Sport continues to play a large part in my large, whether it be participating in it or watching it. Travel is a luxury that when I have the time and money, I love to experience the world and different cultures. And finally, who can go past GOOD FOOD!! This can include experimenting with different recipes, trying different cuisines, and of course eating it.
What are your proudest achievements/career highlights?
As sport has always been such a large part of my life I would have to say competing for Australia in the sport of gymnastics has been a career highlight for me thus far.
