Back injuries lead to career promoting healthy lifestylesApril 20, 2018

After fracturing her L5 vertebra in high school while playing softball and then fracturing her sacrum in college, Sawyer Cobb is now an advocate for enjoying a healthy lifestyle that includes practical eating choices and low impact movement.  The 22-year-old is a 2014 graduate of Greenwood High School.  In less than one month, she will complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from Abilene Christian University (ACU).  In August, she will begin taking graduate courses at Texas State University.  Her higher education journey began at Midland College (MC) through dual enrollment courses.

“I was able to obtain 26 college hours by taking dual credit courses,” said Cobb.  “I entered ACU as a second-semester freshman, and I knew what to expect in college coursework.”

Sawyer is the daughter of Shauna and Bobby Cobb.  In May, the family will celebrate two graduations—Sawyer’s younger sister Crosby will graduate as one of the top two ranked students in the Greenwood High School Class of 2018, and Sawyer, herself, will graduate Cum Laude with a 3.6 grade point average from ACU.

Sawyer has managed to maintain these grades while working as a babysitter and personal grocery shopper through Shipt, an on-demand grocery delivery service. 

“My interest in nutrition sparked when I was in high school,” said Cobb.  “Growing up, I played a lot of sports.  In high school, I was on the Greenwood High School volleyball and softball teams.  Then, when I was in the 10th grade, I fractured my back playing softball.  As part of the healing process, I started eating healthy.  As time progressed I began to see what real nutrition was—what it looked like and how it made me feel. But, as I learned more, I began eating less and less, cutting out more and more food groups because they weren’t ‘healthy.’ Looking back, it makes me sad to remember how much I let food control my life and my happiness.

“When my back healed, I began to exercise again, and eventually my exercise routine became very vigorous.  Then, when I was in college, I broke my sacrum from too much stress due to exercise.”

It was at this point in her life that Sawyer Cobb learned the importance of healthy, practical diet and exercise. 

“With the help of a dietitian, I was able to finally break free of the food rules and restrictions I had set for myself, and now I truly believe that eating intuitively and enjoying all food is the way to go,” stated Cobb.  “I refuse to miss out on all the sweet things that life has to offer because I am stuck behind a list of foods that I can and cannot eat. Life is about so much more than calories and nutrition facts.”

She also took up yoga as part of her rehabilitation.

“I love yoga, especially hot yoga,” stated Cobb.  “I’ve been doing hot yoga for about two years, and eventually I’d like to become a certified yoga instructor.  I still do some limited running, but I also believe in taking long walks for cardiovascular fitness.”

When Cobb begins graduate school at Texas State University, she will be working toward a Master’s degree in dietetics.  After taking classes for one year, she will apply to the internship portion of the program so that she can begin dietetic internship rotations in the Austin/San Marcos area at such settings as hospitals, schools and other food service arenas. 

In her quest to help others discover healthy lifestyles, Cobb maintains a blog entitled “The Wholesome Blog.”  Its objective is to convey that health doesn’t mean eating only kale or running over 20 miles each week. 

In addition to writing in her blog, Cobb also enjoys cooking and baking.  Many of her favorite recipes can be found on the blog, such as kale, potato and turkey soup and triple chocolate banana muffins. 

“It’s being able to eat the kale but also eat the pizza and being able to go on a walk with your friend even though you planned on running,” explained Cobb.  “I want to show people how to eat for nourishment and also for enjoyment and celebration.”

When Cobb completes her year of graduate school internship, she will be eligible to take the registered dietitian exam. 

“My dream job is to work in women’s health and/or pediatrics,” said Cobb.  “I want to help people realize that eating and exercise habits can be healthy, enjoyable and sustainable.”