Getting to Know a Star Athlete: Meet Erin Yenney
5 min read

Getting to Know a Star Athlete: Meet Erin Yenney

Nuzest is honored to introduce Erin Yenney as its newest sports influencer. Erin Yenney is an American professional soccer player having played for clubs internationally as well as in the United States in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for the Chicago Red Stars and Reign FC. She previously played for Östersunds DFF in Sweden's Elitettan, Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia, South America in the Liga Águila Femenina, and most recently for Åland United in Finland's Naisten Liiga. 

We sat down with Erin Yenney and got to know a little bit about her.

Q. For those of us who don’t know you, who is Erin Yenney?

A.  Hi! I am a professional soccer player and a lifelong learner. I have played professionally in Sweden, Colombia, the US, and Finland after studying engineering and playing soccer at the University of Louisville. Ohio will always be home, but I'm grateful for the places I've traveled and the people I've met on my journey. Those who know me best say I'm always positive, a friend to all, and spiritual.

Q. What does being a Nuzest sports influencer mean to you?

A. If I can introduce something to someone that can help them feel healthier, better, and more alive…then that’s pretty awesome. After I adopted a plant-based diet and felt such great benefits, Nuzest makes it easy and tasty for me to ensure I am fueling my body to meet the demands of my sport, as well as for my overall lifelong health. I'm so happy to work with a company that ensures quality, is backed by science, and truly wants the best for people and am excited to share that with others.

Q. How do you make healthy choices and avoid temptations when it comes to your nutrition?

A. I think about how good I feel when I make continuous healthy choices, and that motivates me to stay on track. Being a professional athlete also motivates me to take care of my body. It's difficult to push your body when you don't put the right things in it. One of my favorite quotes is, "Treat your body right and it can do amazing things."

When it comes to food itself, I try to make things ahead of time so that when I'm really hungry and need something right away, I have healthy options ready to eat. I also always have snacks or bars with me wherever I go!

Q. What is your favorite indulgence?

A. Chocolate Chip Coooookies. And Donuts

Q. What is your favorite healthy snack?

A. Fresh veggies with homemade hummus (been really into making this with my food processor).

Q. How do you stay active and fit?

A. Soccer keeps me very active - in the season we train 5 days a week and have 1 game a week. Plus the gym sessions! Out of season, I focus on strength building, speed, and skill work. But outside of soccer, I also love yoga.

Q. What is your favorite form of exercise?

A.  Soccer of course! It doesn't feel like exercise when you are out there in the zone or having fun with your teammates. But another great workout I like is biking. 

Q. Aside from being a soccer superstar, what do you do for fun?

A. I love to go on adventures in nature, try new things, spend quality time with my friends and family, do karaoke (singing is one of my hobbies even though I don't have a voice of an angel), and play card games. I'm a bit of a nerd and can also spend hours reading articles on food and nutrition on my laptop. 

Q. What advice do you have for people wanting to kick-start a healthy lifestyle or to pump up their nutrition?

A. Try to listen to your body. I think it’s a journey that takes time for everyone, but when you can make a real mind/body connection, that's when real change can happen. I've experienced that myself, and when you start giving your body quality foods and learn to listen, your body's response can motivate you to continue on a healthy lifestyle path. But its also important to be nice to yourself and your body. It's ok to indulge. Don't be hard on yourself, just try to find your balance.