By Danielle O’Connor, Staff Writer
Meet Milana Butera, a junior nutrition major who’s a standout athlete on the women’s hockey team. Not only is she dominating on the ice, but she’s also making noise in the world of fitness and nutrition. As a dedicated student-athlete, Butera has taken her passion for health and wellness to Instagram, where she shares tips, nutritious recipes and advice to a growing community of followers (many of whom comprise the LIU student-body). Combining the discipline needed in sports with the science behind maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Butera proves that a balanced lifestyle is key to excelling in all aspects of life. Through her social media presence, she aims to use her voice to encourage others to take control of their physical and mental well-being.
She offered great words of wisdom and insight into how she maintains a healthy lifestyle on and off the ice. What stood out most during our interview was her dedication to her sport and personal growth, and the true kindness she carries in her mission of inspiring others. It’s clear as day that her drive to succeed in hockey is not just about winning games, but more about improving herself as an athlete and as an individual. Her mindset is admirable and something I want to take into my daily life as I encourage others to do the same.
“Being a hockey player my entire life leading up to today has taught me more lessons than I could ever imagine.” Butera began. “Following a structured routine helps in maintaining discipline and consistency in daily activities such as practice, games, and working out.”
Butera went on to discuss her passion regarding her major; nutrition and implementing a social media presence as she aims to be an advocate for other athletes. It was beyond inspiring to see how she combines her athletic discipline into the nutritional aspect of her life.
“My Instagram page started off as something intimate for myself to stay on track, doing further research on my studies as a future nutritionist and simply as an athlete who is dedicated to her health and wellness. However, it grew more and more each day that I posted content, spreading awareness about one’s health. Receiving feedback has been the most rewarding aspect of it all and couldn’t be more grateful,” she said.
With that said, she currently has over four hundred followers. However, this is just the start of her success on social media! She’ll continue to grow due to her positive outlook on life,whilst she continues to advocate for athletes.
“On my page I promote several key wellness principles aimed at fostering a healthy and balanced lifestyle. These include intuitive eating: encouraging a positive relationship with food by listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues and avoiding restrictive diets…physical activity: emphasizing the importance of regular exercise and movement tailored to individual preferences and goals…mental health: highlighting the significance of mental well-being, including stress management, mindfulness, and self-care practices as I know it can accumulate fast…rest and recovery: underlining the necessity of adequate sleep, rest days, and recovery techniques to support overall health and performance. Lastly: Body Positivity! Encouraging self-acceptance and respect for one’s body, regardless of shape or size, as even athletes go through this as well,” she explained.
Although her page is aimed for athletes, the messages and positivity she spreads is something any student can apply to their daily lives. She goes on to emphasize that she is here for everyone and not just those who play sports.
“My target audience is primarily directed toward athletes, recognizing their unique needs and challenges. However, my content is designed to be inclusive and beneficial for all students interested in implementing a healthy lifestyle into their lives. Whether you’re a student-athlete or simply someone looking to improve your well-being, my page offers valuable insights and practical tips for everyone,” Butera said.
Using her platform, she continues to stress her goals emphasizing the message she hopes followers take away from her account.
“From following my health and wellness journey through Fuel The Root, I hope athletes take away the understanding that performance is not just about hard training, but also about taking care of the body as a whole. It’s about finding the right balance between pushing yourself and allowing time for recovery, knowing when to fuel properly, and listening to what your body needs,” she said.
Her dedication to her sport shines through in all aspects of her life. It was truly inspiring to hear about her journey and how she aims to help others. What really impressed me about our conversation was how deeply committed she is to her sport, development, and to helping others along their journey as well. She’s not just a college hockey player—she’s a dedicated individual in every sense of the word.
“College has opened my eyes and grown me into the person that I am today, giving me plenty of opportunities along the way. I see my health and wellness journey blossoming post college as I am dedicated to pursuing my dream as a Sports dietitian. I have alway heard about hockey being your identity in life and couldn’t have felt that more. It is one of my biggest accomplishments in life, but it isn’t everything.It is a part of me and has pushed me in the right direction to chase my dream which I will be forever grateful for,” she said.
Not only is she emphasizing the social aspects and lessons she’s gained from the sport but she also clearly illustrates what it means to be a dedicated and motivated individual as she takes her love for the sport and applies it to her future. It is truly admirable to hear about how the love for the sport has shaped Butera’s outlook on life.
“I believe wellness is a lifelong journey and I’m committed to maintaining that mindset as I transition into the next chapter of life. Whether it’s through nutrition, mindfulness, or staying active, I want to ensure that I’m leading by example and helping others, especially fellow athletes by integrating health and wellness into their daily routines regardless of where life takes them. Overall, my health and wellness journey will be about finding joy in movement, continuing to learn and grow, and using the lessons I’ve gained from being an athlete to live a fulfilling and balanced life post-college,” she said.
Be sure to keep up with Milana on her Instagram account @fueltheroot!
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