Caitlin Samson is a nine-time marathoner and still recalls the effect of her first run. “Running changed my life,” she said.
“I subscribed to Runner’s World magazine, and I could not read enough. I was fascinated with learning about exercise and the physiology of the body, which led me to pursue my graduate degree in exercise science.”
Samson chose to attend UB for its great reputation. “UB is a well-known university, and I wanted to study with others who had the same vision that I did of helping others live healthier lives.
“I will never forget my first exercise science class taught by Dr. Frank Cerny,” she continued. “Not only was he a great teacher, he was passionate about what he was teaching. I am forever grateful for his inspiration, and for the confirmation that I was headed down the right career path.”
Today, Samson is a health coach for Alere Health. In the role, she coaches wellness program members about diet, exercise and preventive health. “I address the members’ goals and help them take the steps towards behavior change,” she said.
“UB gave me a great foundation for my career,” said Samson. “The exercise science classes that I took taught me the benefits of leading a physically active lifestyle and the training adaptations that occur with exercise. I have applied this knowledge, as well as what I learned from my nutrition and health promotion classes, to my career. My professors and colleagues at UB greatly inspired me through their own passion in the field of exercise physiology. These individuals played a major role in driving me to be successful.”
After graduating from UB, Samson would go on to receive a master's degree in applied clinical nutrition from New York Chiropractic College and is now the owner and founder of True Food and Wellness in Atlanta, Georgia.