HISA, Onrise Provide Nutrition Support to Jockeys

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and Onrise announced Oct. 14 the addition of nutrition coaching to the suite of confidential wellness services available to licensed jockeys at HISA racetracks through the Onrise platform. Beginning this week, riders can access personalized nutrition support in both English and Spanish through the same Onrise telehealth system currently used for mental health and peer support services. "Introducing access to nutrition support is an exciting enhancement in HISA's partnership with Onrise," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "This addition empowers jockeys to better understand how nutrition affects performance, recovery, and overall health—further advancing HISA's commitment to an ecosystem of care across our sport." The new service is led by Dr. Brenda McBride, Onrise's chief medical officer and director of nutrition. A Board-Certified Physician Nutrition Specialist, McBride brings extensive expertise in the connection between nutrition, athletic performance, and psychology. McBride's team includes National Academy of Sports Medicine-Certified Sports Nutrition coaches and a growing network of specialists with advanced training in disordered eating within athletic settings. Onrise's nutrition coaching is designed to help riders optimize their performance and well-being through: Personalized Nutrition Guidance: One-on-one, jockey-specific sessions focused on fueling strategies tailored to exercise work and race-day demands. Meal Planning and Hydration Strategies: Practical, evidence-based approaches to support riders through training cycles and competition. Disordered Eating Support: Coaching from licensed nutritionists to help riders build sustainable habits and navigate the pressures of weight management in racing. Collaborative Care: Seamless coordination with peer support and mental health specialists to address the full spectrum of wellness needs. All Onrise services are delivered confidentially and virtually, ensuring that jockeys can access care anytime and from any location. Nutrition and mental health appointments are offered as distinct services; however, the program's integrated model facilitates collaboration among providers when it supports the athlete's goals. Personalized nutrition counseling and fueling strategies are designed to help jockeys meet weight requirements in sustainable ways, without compromising athletic performance or overall well-being. "It says a lot about the leadership at HISA that they value the importance of nutrition to jockeys' overall well-being," said McBride. "This expansion of services fills a gap and ensures jockeys have what they need to perform better, recover faster, and prevent challenges from escalating." This launch marks year two of HISA's partnership with Onrise, which continues to expand its comprehensive wellness offerings at no additional cost to eligible jockeys. For more information or to access services, riders can contact Onrise confidentially through their website, emailing support@onrisecare.com, or by calling their toll-free crisis call line at (833) 998-7985.