Cassandra is a PhD candidate at the University of Connecticut studying exercise science and nutrition. Originating from Northern British Columbia, she received her MS in Human Nutrition and Metabolism in 2004, and her BS in Nutrition and Food Science with distinction, in 2002 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. She is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and is a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) through the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). She will graduate in 2008 and will become certified as a Registered Dietitian (RD) in 2009.

Her main research interests are low-carbohydrate nutrition, dietary fatty acids, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weight-loss, female-specific nutrition and training, and the female athlete triad. Her PhD dissertation project is exploring the ideal fatty acid composition of a weight-maintaining low-carbohydrate diet though a highly-controlled feeding intervention.

Aside from her educational endeavors, Cassandra is the student representative for the International Society of Sports Nutrition, where she is helping to refine the Certified Sports Nutrition Certification, (CISSN) and co-coordinating the regional and annual meetings.

Cassandra has written for and been featured in some of the top publications in the industry, including Testosterone Nation and Men's Health Magazine. She is also the author of Women's Health's first-ever diet and fitness plan book, The Perfect Body Diet, as well as co-authoring the best-selling book The New Rules of Lifting for Women.

Mike Roussell
Mike is a consultant, author, freelance writer, and researcher. Mike received his bachelor of science in biochemistry graduating magna cum laude with high honors from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. From there he attended the University of Vermont Medical School before deciding to follow his passion of studying nutrition.

Currently, Mike is pursuing his doctorate in nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, studying the effects of diet and fatty acids on cardiovascular disease and emerging cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Mike's nutritional coaching is sought out by people from a variety of backgrounds ranging from collegiate athletes to business professionals to fitness enthusiasts.

Mike is a regular contributor to publications such as Testosterone Nation and Bodybuilding.com. You can hear more from Mike every two weeks as he is the host and founder of the web's premier Fitness and Nutrition Podcast, Max-Out Radio.