Photo Credit: Eric Francis/ Athlete Marcella Altman Competing at U23 Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross World Championships in July
As the USA Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross National Team competes on the world stage, behind-the-scenes preparation makes all the difference. For National Team Member Marcella Altman, that preparation has included nutrition support from U.S. Performance Center (USPC), an ACA partner dedicated to helping athletes reach their peak potential.
This weekend, Altman is racing at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 4 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, carrying momentum from an impressive summer season. Just last month, she stood on the podium with teammates Evy Leibfarth and Ria Sribar, claiming a bronze medal in the Women’s K1 Team event at the U23 World Championships in Foix, France.
But as Altman knows, reaching these results requires more than time on the water. Fueling properly—before, during, and after training—has been key to her success.
“Food is fuel. Make sure you get what you need to best fuel yourself for everyday life but also performance,” Altman explains. “This has been really helpful for me going into this season as it has helped me maximize my training, as I can perform better during the session if I am fueled properly, and can also recover better afterwards with the right intake. Making sure I get everything I need from my diet helps me feel good, perform at my best, and decrease injury likeliness.”
Working with the nutritionists at the USPC has given Altman tailored strategies to meet her needs as an elite paddler. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, she’s learned the importance of individualized planning.
“It can be quite individual, so it’s important to remember that the nutrition plan developed for you might be different than a nutrition plan developed for your training partners, friends, or other athletes,” she adds. “Reframing nutrition as another aspect of wellbeing instead of ‘dieting’ obsessions is also becoming increasingly important in this day and age of social media, airbrushed ads, and comparing yourself to anyone but you is not fair—as everyone has different nutritional needs.”
U.S. Performance Center’s team of experts provides athletes like Altman with resources to optimize performance, recovery, and long-term health. For the USA Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross National Team, that means athletes are better prepared to take on the toughest courses in the world.
As Altman races in Ljubljana this weekend, her impressive paddling reflects both technical skill and determination—as well as highlighting the impact of thoughtful, athlete-centered support from partners like U.S. Performance Center.
