By: Gerald Ernat, RD
When most people think of a Sports Dietitian, their minds often jump straight to professional or collegiate sports teams. And while those are fantastic careers that many Sports Dietitians pursue, I decided to take a different path: supporting our nation’s warfighters.
The U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program represents a groundbreaking shift in how the military approaches soldier readiness and resilience. Unlike traditional fitness programs that focus solely on physical training, H2F is a comprehensive framework designed to optimize performance and well-being across five interconnected domains: physical readiness, mental readiness, spiritual readiness, sleep readiness, and nutritional readiness.
This multifaceted approach ensures soldiers are not just physically fit, but also mentally and emotionally prepared to meet the demands of military service. In this article, I want to shed light on this incredible program and share how, as a Sports Dietitian, I collaborate with a team of healthcare and fitness professionals to help U.S. Soldiers become fitter, healthier, and more resilient.
Meet the H2F Team
Here’s a breakdown of the H2F team members and how each contributes to soldier readiness:
Strength and Conditioning Coaches
Design and implement training programs tailored to the occupational demands of soldiers. They focus on improving strength, endurance, and mobility while reducing injury risk through targeted exercise and one-on-one coaching.
Physical Therapists
Prevent, assess, and rehabilitate injuries through individualized recovery plans. They provide hands-on care, injury education, and ensure proper movement mechanics to support long-term readiness.
Occupational Therapists
Enhance performance by helping soldiers optimize functional movement, manage stress, and improve motor skills. They also play a role in sleep hygiene and resilience strategies.
Athletic Trainers
Offer immediate care for injuries and guide rehabilitation. They educate soldiers on injury prevention and collaborate with the team to ensure safe training environments.
Registered Dietitians
Develop personalized nutrition plans to support energy needs, performance, and recovery. We educate soldiers on proper fueling, hydration, and practical eating strategies to improve overall health.
Cognitive Enhancement Specialists (Sports Psychologists)
Train soldiers in mental skills like mindfulness, visualization, and stress management. Their work enhances decision-making under pressure and strengthens emotional regulation and resilience.
Chaplains
Provide spiritual counseling and support. They help soldiers find meaning, build connection, and navigate moral, ethical, and spiritual challenges.
Together, this team addresses every dimension of a soldier’s well-being, ensuring long-term health, resilience, and peak performance.
My Role as a Sports Dietitian
Within the H2F framework, my role is to ensure that soldiers have the nutrition knowledge and tools they need to thrive—physically and mentally. This includes individualized meal planning, education on key nutrition topics, and addressing specific dietary concerns.
It’s a job that has allowed me to travel the world, refine my craft, and positively impact thousands of lives. I’ve had the opportunity to create new projects, speak on topics I’m passionate about, and meet inspiring leaders throughout the military. One of my favorite aspects is constantly learning—from training methodologies and rehab protocols to sports psychology, stress management, and the latest research in health and performance. The growth never stops.
A Team Effort: The Backbone of H2F
The success of the H2F program lies in its interdisciplinary, team-based approach. By integrating the knowledge and skills of professionals across various specialties, H2F provides soldiers with comprehensive, whole-person care.
This collaboration fosters a culture of readiness, resilience, and long-term success—on the battlefield and beyond.
H2F is more than a fitness initiative; it’s a paradigm shift in how the Army approaches soldier well-being. By addressing the full spectrum of health—physical, mental, spiritual, nutritional, and sleep—H2F enhances performance, reduces injuries, and builds a stronger, more capable force.
For anyone interested in a more holistic approach to health and fitness, H2F sets the gold standard. It proves that when you care for the whole person, optimal performance isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.
If this approach to performance and well-being resonates with you, I also offer 1:1 online coaching. Whether you're an athlete, first responder, or just someone striving to improve your health and resilience, we can build a personalized plan that supports your goals—physically, mentally, and nutritionally.
Find more from Gerald...
Instagram: @Geraldernat
