Fueling the Dream: How Kelly Newlon Merges Cooking, Trail Running, and Athlete Representation

I sit down with Kelly Newlon—runner, chef, agent, Nuggets fan, and all-around community builder. Kelly shares the journey of founding RAD (Real Athlete Diets), a business that blends her love for trail running and cooking, and how she went from feeding friends training for races to fueling elite athletes on FKTs and multi-day expeditions. We dive into what it takes to support endurance athletes, the challenges of meal planning for unpredictable cravings, and her work as an agent helping athletes navigate sponsorships and contracts.

Kelly also shares insights into the outdoor industry, the growth of trail running, and the lessons she's learned from working with both brands and athletes.

Find Kelly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radboulder/

If you're curious about the intersection of performance, fueling, and the business of professional trail running, this episode is for you!

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Takeaways

Kelly Newlon combines her passions for cooking and running.

The idea for Rad, Real Athlete Diets came from a personal need.

Entrepreneurship requires saying yes to many opportunities at first.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting FKTs and athletes.

Flexibility and adaptability are key in meal planning for athletes.

Building relationships with athletes and brands is essential.

Kelly emphasizes the importance of emotional growth for young athletes.

She prefers a retainer system over a percentage-based payment model.

Understanding both athlete and brand perspectives is vital in representation.

Kelly aims to empower athletes to manage their own careers. Brands prioritize community, marketing, and performance.

Understanding a brand's ethos is crucial for athletes.

Performance metrics directly influence sales.

Athletes should highlight their sponsors in their content.

The trail running community is growing rapidly.

New brands are emerging, creating competition.

Live streaming is changing the landscape of races.

Athletes need to maintain a day job for stability.

The sport allows for various levels of participation.

Respecting the history of the sport is essential.

Chapters

00:00 Finding Community and Passion

03:09 The Birth of Rad, Real Athlete Diets

05:57 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

08:56 Supporting FKTs: The Role of Nutrition

12:02 The Chef's Approach to Athlete Support

15:13 The Transition to Athlete Representation

18:00 Navigating Relationships in Athlete Management

33:38 Understanding Brand Values in Sports Sponsorship

42:51 The Growth and Evolution of Trail Running

50:47 Challenges and Opportunities in the Trail Running Industry

01:00:39 The Realities of Being a Professional Athlete