Pamela Cole: Laughlins newest dietitian

  • Published
  • By Caitlin Smail
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Pamela Cole, or Cole as she prefers to be called, is a petite, well-dressed blonde with a contagious smile and a great sense of humor. As the new nutritionist at the Health and Wellness Center she is in charge of creating and teaching new programs and classes as well as taking on nutrition referrals from the medical genter.

As a former gymnast, born and raised in Cape Cod, Mass., Cole's interest in sports nutrition was sparked at a young age.

"Spending my childhood in a gym, taught me how to fuel my body so that it could perform at its highest potential in competition, something I found very compelling," said Cole.

Her interest in the human body and nutrition followed her as she started her undergraduate degree at Columbia University in New York. Majoring in biochemistry, Cole planned on working in the medical research field. After graduating, she took some time off from school and became involved in kickboxing and taekwondo. Being back in the gym rekindled her love for sports nutrition and she began her master's degree in nutrition and applied physiology, eventually becoming a registered dietitian.

It was during her years at graduate school that Cole came up with the idea for her online company, Fuel The Fighter LLC. The web-based company is aimed at nutrition education for athletes. It was this website that landed her a job working for Mixed Martial Arts in Las Vegas, Nev. So, what lead this big city girl to Del Rio?

"I grew up in a military family. My dad is a retired Army major and my brother went to West Point," said Cole. "When the opportunity to contract with the Air Force came up, I thought it was a great next step for me."

Cole's first contracting assignment was giving nutrition seminars at Yokota Air Base, Yokosuka Naval Base and Naval Air Facility Atsugi Japan. Then, the opportunity to come to Laughlin arose and she took it.

"We have some great new classes planned for 2012," Cole said. These include a revamped version of Introduction to Nutrition, Introduction to Sports Nutrition, Weight Management, Dietary Supplements and Herbs, and Diabetes and Heart Health.

All the programs and classes offered at the HAWC are available to everyone on base at no cost.

"I don't think people realize what is available to them," said Cole. "We suggest taking classes first, but we are available for one on one nutritional consultations. I work with a variety of people including, referrals from the medical group, athletes and expectant mothers. Come talk to us, there is something for everyone!"

In addition to the new classes, Cole has some big ideas in the works for the HAWC for 2012. Some of these include creating a healthy cooking channel on YouTube, holding healthy cooking demonstrations at the HAWC, getting a running club started and creating a program for deployed families.

"I think it's extremely important to find something you love doing and that for me is educating people about nutrition," says Cole. Her excitement and passion for nutrition and fitness are sure to be a great asset to the Laughlin community!

To make an appointment with Cole or to find out more about the programs offered at the HAWC, call 298-6464 or stop by the HAWC office located in the Losano Fitness Center.