Women in MMA Series - Kelly Staddon on Life as a Nutritionist and Swapping Judo for MMA

By Ross Patterson

For the latest instalment of our series focusing on the highly talented women working within the sport, we spoke to Kelly Staddon. A nutritionist for the English Mixed Martial Arts Association and an IMMAF European Championships hopeful. The SBG Manchester fighter is a Second Dan Black Belt in Judo, business owner and is challenging for the Cage Warriors Academy Belt in the coming weeks. 

Having been involved at an elite level of sport from a young age, Kelly became interested in nutrition. She competed in Judo in the 48kg weight class, so she kept a close eye on her diet. Kelly eventually qualified as a nutritionist and now provides this knowledge to athletes in the EMMAA . 

“The way I see it is to educate these guys and not just give them programmes or nutrition meal plans to follow, it's more to build their education around it so they can go out and eventually be in a position where they can set up their own nutrition programme or even go on to help other athletes to set up their own programme. And to benefit themselves, for their performance, but also how they live on a day-to-day basis. Management of their body weight can get out of hand if you don't know how to do it in a weight-based sport. So, yeah education all day.”

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