Annette "Nettie" Freshour

If you weren’t working at WVU, what’s the most likely alternative?

If I weren’t in academics, I would probably still be doing something in sports nutrition. I had been offered the opportunity to potentially work with the Pittsburgh Penguins a couple years back.

Moment you knew what you wanted to study?

I was an athlete my whole life, and I really was intrigued by the way physical activity and healthy eating could enhance each other for the benefit of performance. When I started my master's program and I continued to express my interest in sports nutrition, one of the faculty members encouraged me to start thinking about teaching sports nutrition. The first time I ever stepped foot in front of a classroom, I felt at home. It’s really kind of progressed into a passion that I have for education through my whole career. I’ve been able to combine all the things I’ve been passionate about because even being a sports dietitian is educating an athlete on how to prepare their body for the best level of performance.

Moment you knew your current role was right for you?

Any student that wants to become a dietitian has to do an internship. I remember going through the internship, and I thought to myself, “I want to be able to direct this at some point in time in my career.”

Favorite part of social distancing?

I don’t have one. I am an extrovert to the max. The only thing I have liked so far is that I have been able to spend a lot of time with my daughter and son over the last couple months. I like my time at home, but I also like my time outside of the home. So it’s been quite challenging for me personally and mentally.

Least favorite part of social distancing?

There’s definitely something about human contact; it’s really one of the needs that we have for survival. I personally believe that. My kids are very involved and I’m very involved in a lot of things. So that’s been my least favorite thing, is that it came to such an abrupt stop.

And not being able to have that contact with my students. Zoom is great, but when I can’t sit back and see somebody struggling with a concept and being able to address that - not every student is willing to say, “Hey, I don’t understand that.” - that part has been hard. As a seasoned instructor, you’re able to look for those signs of confusion in their body language or in their faces that part has not been my favorite.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I always joke that I want to live in a place where I don’t have a refrigerator at home. I want to be able to go walk to a farmers market and basically be able to eat fresh food every single day, even grow food in my own yard. Just basically live off the land. I don’t know exactly where that is.

Just for Fun

Favorite book: The Pilgrim, Nicholas Sparks books

Favorite movie/tv show: Game of Thrones, Outlander

Favorite Spotify playlist/band/song: Anything! (Pink, Snoop Dog, Luke Bryan, Adele, Boys2Men)

Favorite local restaurant: Tropics, Black Bear, Table 9

Favorite local activity: Tygart Lake, Mountain Man Axe Throwing