As I sit at MatchPoint NYC Cafe, familiar phrases like “Chicken nuggets and french fries” echo around me. It’s November 1—the day after Halloween—and the candy tales are in full swing. I love a good party and quality treats, but I’ve always seen my body as a ‘temple.’ Though my high-performance tennis days are over, I still treat my body with respect, gearing up for recreational play, skiing, and other high-energy sports.

Many athletes shift to coaching without a plan for self-care in their new role. Fatigued from endless court hours and strict training, we don’t always know how to transition. I was that athlete: I quit all sports after college, leaving my racquets behind, only to face health issues from the sudden shift. It took guidance from a knowledgeable doctor to help me realize athletes must stay active and adapt to their changing bodies. That experience led me back to tennis, the gym, and cardio—and to a deeper understanding of nutrition and recovery.

Here’s what I’ve learned and want to share:

Once an athlete, always an athlete.
Cardio is essential—standing all day doesn’t count. Get moving!
Nutrition is medicine—what you eat matters.
Choose supplements wisely; bioavailability is key.

Physical and Mental Demands

Repetitive movements and intense training wear down joints and muscles. This physical toll calls for strategic recovery measures to prevent burnout and injury. Meanwhile, the mental demands of coaching and training require cognitive resilience. Nutrients like omega-3s, B vitamins, and antioxidants are essential to sustain mental clarity and stability under pressure.

Why Tailored Nutrition Matters

For athletes and coaches, one-size-fits-all nutrition won’t cut it. A balanced approach to hydration, macronutrients, and targeted supplementation helps meet the body’s unique needs and extend its performance potential. Tailored nutrition supports not only peak performance but also longevity, especially as recovery times naturally slow with age.

In the end, nutrition is more than fuel—it’s an investment in the body’s resilience and adaptability. If this inspires even one person to take a closer look at their routine, I’ve achieved my goal.

Khrystsina Tryboi is a seasoned tennis coach, sports nutritionist, and former college tennis player with a deep commitment to health and performance. With over six years of experience as Director of Marketing at MatchPoint NYC, Khrystsina combines her expertise in athletics and marketing to empower others. She is also a dedicated volunteer with the RSPA and USTA, where she contributes to the tennis community through service and leadership.

As the mother of two young athletes, Khrystsina knows firsthand the importance of health, wellness, and sustainable performance strategies. She is the founder of Ace. Your.Court, an initiative designed to help coaches and athletes optimize their physical and mental performance through tailored wellness routines. With a passion for holistic health, Khrystsina is on a mission to help others achieve peak performance both on and off the court.