Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Knight
Hi Traci , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
At four years old, I hosted a backyard cooking show inspired by my mother and grandmother’s love for cooking. Though I initially pursued a path toward becoming a heart surgeon, life had other plans. Despite early academic struggles, I earned scholarships in math, science, and athletics.
While studying for the MCAT, a car accident left me immobile for six months. Rejecting conventional treatments, I turned to homeopathy and relearned to walk, eventually becoming a professional runner. I moved to Southern California, where I built a successful online coaching business. Just as I reached my athletic peak, a carjacking left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), robbing me of my ability to run, speak clearly, and even remember.
Determined to rise again, I turned to food. I developed a protein cookie that quickly gained popularity, leading me to expand my business internationally. In Miami, a Parisian family personally thanked me for helping their daughter recover from bulimia through my product. This moment fueled my mission to educate people about food science, leading to collaborations with elite athletes, models, and industry professionals.
Today, I host Food Is Fuel, a podcast dedicated to food science, and teach culinary classes both online and in person. My book, Advantage Point: Train Your Brain to Master Your Game, launching February 20, 2025, shares my journey and strategies for overcoming adversity. Despite multiple TBIs, I pursued further education, training under master chefs and earning a master’s degree in 2023. My work has helped communities worldwide, proving that resilience, knowledge, and passion can turn life’s challenges into triumphs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life has not been smooth. My obstacles and challenges have fueled me to where I am today. Anyone can do anything they put their mind to.
I have faced immense struggles—three traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), relearning to walk twice, a devastating car accident, a violent carjacking, and the need to rebuild my cognitive abilities from scratch. I’ve navigated the difficulties of divorce, the unexpected journey of motherhood, and raising a daughter with autism and mental health challenges. On top of it all, I have battled my own personal struggles as a human trying to find my way.
Despite these hardships, resilience has been key. Each challenge has shaped my path, leading me to success in athletics, business, and personal growth. Through food, science, and a relentless mindset, I have rebuilt my life time and time again. My story proves that no obstacle is too great—anyone can rise above if they believe in themselves and push forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a visionary and a holistic chef, dedicated to creating delicious, alternative desserts for those with special dietary needs. My passion for food, science, and education has fueled my journey, and I continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
I am currently developing a culinary program for middle and high school students, which was put on pause due to COVID. With this new location, I will also continue my current adult culinary and mixology classes, expanding opportunities for learning and growth. My vision is to take this concept national, starting with the Culinary Championship Challenge in Memphis. This competition will allow students to win scholarships, provide schools with funding for educational programs, and create jobs within the community.
I am most proud of my daughter and the life I have built despite every challenge thrown my way. Experts doubted me, but I proved them wrong—again and again. I have turned immense obstacles into stepping stones for success, from launching an international food company with just $300 in food stamps to helping people heal through food, from professional athletes to individuals overcoming eating disorders.
What sets me apart is my ability to turn adversity into opportunity—I can create a mud pie from a mud storm. Whether biking to food pantries to help others or rebuilding my life after injuries, I refuse to be defined by my circumstances. Instead, I train myself and others to grow from them. Anything is possible with resilience, creativity, and an unshakable belief in oneself.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Throughout my journey, I have taken countless risks—some calculated, others necessary for survival. From launching a business with just $300 in food stamps to moving across the country to expand my brand, I have never shied away from stepping into the unknown. Life has thrown major challenges my way, including three traumatic brain injuries, relearning how to walk twice, rebuilding my career multiple times, and facing personal struggles such as divorce and raising a daughter with autism. Each of these moments required immense risk, but they also brought incredible growth.
As an entrepreneur since my early 20s, I have always been a visionary and a risk-taker. Do all things work out? No. But I believe what you put into something is exactly what you get out of it. The key is to pivot, adapt, and continue moving forward. Whether it was expanding my food business internationally, launching my podcast, or developing a culinary program to educate and inspire students, I have embraced every challenge with determination.
Risk is inevitable, but I see it as a pathway to possibility. Playing it safe never led to groundbreaking change. I am willing to bet on myself, and that mindset has fueled my success. No matter how difficult the road, I have always found a way to rise, evolve, and create something extraordinary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.traciknight.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinnysouth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Run4Health
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skinnysouth/
- Twitter: https://x.com/skinnysouth
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkinnySouth
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hDUuZiKCm7IkpZagRku98?si=ef009a22bca34629
