Ashley Meuser

Director of Major League Nutrition, Cincinnati Reds

“Thank you, Ashley Meuser, Director of Major League Nutrition for the Cincinnati Reds, for sharing your story! Ashley oversees nutrition across the organization, developing individualized plans for players and managing meals, snacks, hydration, and supplements to keep athletes healthy and performing at their best throughout the long baseball season.

With a background in Human Nutrition and a sports-focused dietetic internship, Ashley built her path through persistence, mentorship, and hands-on experience—even volunteering for a year to break into sports nutrition. She encourages young women to stay flexible, embrace the grind, and trust that small steps can lead to big opportunities.

Her passion for performance nutrition, commitment to growing the Reds’ nutrition program, and dedication to her own athletic goals make her journey truly inspiring.”

– Zara

Please describe your role & responsibilities at that position?

In my role I oversee nutrition throughout the organization, as well as in the Major Leagues. That includes individualizing nutrition plans for players, and ordering all meals (3 meals per day for 162 games, plus playoffs and spring training). Additionally, I supply all drinks, snacks, and supplements that our provided to our players. My focus is on performance nutrition, so my role involves everything nutritionally that keeps players healthy, on the field, and performing at their highest potential.

What did you study in college and how did your educational background shape your career in the sports industry?

My major in college was Human Nutrition (at The Ohio State University). Throughout my dietetic internship (at Indiana University), I focused specifically on sports nutrition. My sports focus was instrumental in introducing me to sports nutrition and what that job could look like. This was before Sports Nutrition was popular, and sports dietitians were rare. I was fortunate to find good mentors to let me shadow them.s

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to your current position in the sports industry?

I was open to any and all positions in sports. I started “volunteering” at a sports nutrition private practice. This involved working for about a year without pay, just to get experience. Additionally, I was open to working in different sports. I always pictured myself working in football, but was open to exploring baseball. Twelve years later, I can’t picture myself doing any other sport. I love baseball, and the year I had volunteering was an educational milestone that gave me valuable experience.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the sports business, & how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges is feeling like I’m in the way, or don’t belong. It took women a long time to get their feet in the door in baseball. I often feel self-conscious or like I don’t belong in the clubhouse, simply because I’m female. It’s just a personal perception that I need to overcome, because our staff is always welcoming and they value my position.

​Balancing a career is demanding. How do you manage a work-life balance? What strategies have worked well for you?

Baseball’s schedule is very busy mid-day and in the evenings, which works well for me because I’m a night owl, definitely not a morning person. However, I’ve prioritized scheduling workout classes or catch-ups with friends in the morning. I realized although I enjoyed my slow mornings before heading into work, I felt better chatting with a friend or working out (taking me-time in a different manner than laying in bed). I’ve built a really good support system now.

How important is mentorship for women in the sports industry? Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career and can give some details?

My mentors and role models are reasons why I’m in the position I am now. Without them taking a chance and allowing me to study from them, I wouldn’t have gotten the experience I had when I tried to get my foot in the door for positions.

What aspects of your work in the sports industry do you enjoy the most? What parts do you find the most challenging ?

I love how every day is different. No days look the same, and it helps break up the monotony of a long season. I’m not great at multitasking, so the unexpected nature of baseball can be a bit challenging. Some times I’m asked to do MANY things at one moment. I remain flexible and work through it, but multitasking is not one of my strengths. I always get everything done though, or ask for help 🙂

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to build a successful career in the sports industry?

Keep going, and be flexible! I love dreamers, and it’s great to have your hopes set high! But don’t be afraid to take the small steps that will get you to the top. Get your hands dirty and grind for a little bit so you can appreciate when you get to the top.

What is your long-term personal goal that you still want to achieve both business wise and personal?

I would love to continue to grow the nutrition program at the Cincinnati Reds. We currently have 3 full time dietitians (myself, and 2 full time dietitians in the minor leagues), which I want to continue to build on. On a personal level, I want to run a marathon on every continent. I ran an ultramarathon in Antarctica 2 months ago, so off to a good start. I try to prioritize health and sports for myself in the off-season. I work all year to help our players reach their highest potential athletic ability, so I am very conscious of spending time on my own athletic goals in the off-season.

Any fun facts or interesting things you’d like the world to learn about you? Favorite food, hobbies, pet peeves, etc.?

I’ve visited all 7 continents. I ran my first ultramarathon in Antarctica and have ran 12 full marathons. I was on House Hunters. I was in Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show. I was an extra in “Dark Waters,” which was filmed in Cincinnati. I was born in Wyoming. I’ve swam a circle around the island of Key West (12.5 miles) 3 times. I’ve gone skydiving in Australia. I swam a 10k race in the Great Barrier Reef. I’m one of 3 girls and the middle child. I have 2 nieces and 1 nephew. I’m a proud Buckeye.