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Author – Arlene Semeco MS, RD, LDN, CISSN
Arlene is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Her childhood was all about academics and swimming.
As soon as Arlene graduated from high school, she decided to pursue a higher competitive level in swimming and decided to move to the United States with a full scholarship at The University of Alabama. During her college years, Arlene qualified to her first Olympic Games in Athens 2004 and became the fastest swimmer in the history of Bama breaking the school record on the 50 meters freestyle and becoming an All-American swimmer and was inducted to the Hall of Fame of that prestigious institution. After Arlene graduated with two Bachelor in Science Degrees – Bachelor in Human Environmental Science and Bachelor in Food and Nutrition, and finished her college swimming career, she moved to Coral Springs, Florida in 2007.
Arlene started training in Florida swimming under world-class coach Michael Lohberg winning a pair of gold medals at the Pan-American Games in Rio 2007. With these titles, Arlene became the first woman to win gold medals at the Pan-American games in the history of Venezuelan swimming and breaking the Pan-American record for the 50 and 100 freestyle. Soon after that, Arlene qualified to her second Olympic games and placed among the fastest 15 women in the world, making it all the way to Olympic Semifinals and becoming the first Venezuelan female swimmer to qualify to an Olympic Semifinal and rank among the top in the world.
While she came to Coral Springs to seek the 2008 Olympic Games qualification, she made it her base home and have been living there ever since. Arlene participated in London 2012 becoming the first Venezuelan woman to make it to three Olympic Games while completing her Master in Science in Dietetics and Nutrition.
She has accomplished being the Venezuela Record Holder for the 50 and 100 free for the past 15 years. Arlene is currently working as a dietitian while still making her way to what it could become her fourth Olympic Games in Rio 2016.
While she is combining her sports career with her professional career, Arlene is always striving to find balance and fighting to accomplish her final goal in life, to be happy.
Arlene about herself:
I completed a Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University and a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from The University of Alabama. I am a Registered Dietitian and am also a Certified Sports Nutritionist by The International Society of Sports Nutrition.
My nutrition experience involves the creation and development of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and herbal products to support wellness and disease prevention. I also have experience in research being involved in several clinical trials for nutritional supplements.
I am a clinical dietitian at Healthsouth Rehabilitation hospital with experience in acute care and rehabilitation medicine. During my time in clinical practice, I specialize in stroke, diabetes, orthopedic injuries, cardiac care, and neurological disorders and process improvement.
I counsel individually and group sessions for drug and alcohol treatment centers. I aim to provide food and nutrition education to promote changes in eating habits and a healthy lifestyle.
I am a freelance nutrition related, science-based blog writer for AuthorityNutrition.com and my own personal website.
I am also a 3-time Olympian, Pan American, and South American champion and record holder swimmer from Venezuela and part of The University of Alabama Hall of Fame. With my expertise in the world of sports, I have been able to apply my knowledge of nutrition to help athletes improve performance and achieve their goals in different sports.
I am a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Florida Dietetics Association and the International Society of Sports Nutrition. I have conducted numerous presentations on various topics pertaining to general nutrition and sports application of nutrition and supplements.
