Julia Furlipa, MS '19, is a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, and entrepreneur, dedicated to helping individuals transform their body composition to look leaner, feel fitter, and thrive inside and out. She is the private nutritionist for Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, key members of the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA Championship team.
Q: How did you get connected with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart?
A: I was connected with Jalen back in August 2023 through his father and God's divine timing. From there, I went through a series of interviews to earn the position I am in today. As for Josh, I was connected with him through Jalen just this past March. To clarify, I don't work directly for the Knicks. Jalen and Josh are two of my private clients, along with a few others who are just as incredible, and it has been absolutely exhilarating to watch them crush it on the court.
Q: What sorts of things do you work on with the players?
A: In my role, I build specialized daily and travel meal plans, coordinating closely with the team's registered dietitian and both players' private chefs. Together, we ensure they are hitting every precise macronutrient and micronutrient target and getting all their essential vitamins. I handle the strategic scheduling of their meals and design customized menus tailored for carb-loading, pre-workout preparation, and post-workout recovery fuel.
Q: What impact has the Knicks' championship had on your business?
A: My business has always been entirely referral-based, so I haven't needed to advertise or promote my services. Moments like this just make me an incredibly proud coach, as my main goal is to solely add on to individuals' lives.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in wellness and nutrition?
A: This journey began when I was 15. Watching my mother battle colon cancer struck a profound chord. I was consumed by an agonizing question: Why do such good people get so sick? That question drove me to look past conventional management and seek true, holistic vitality. I discovered the radical, often overlooked power of fiber, and realized how few nutritional protocols acknowledge a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. To change the body, you have to change your mind. You have to be OK with unlearning learned behaviors and asking questions people do not want to ask. You can heal your body from the inside out when you are choosing to not just fuel it with proper foods and nutrients, but to take care of who you spend time with, what you listen to, and what you spend your time doing.
Q: What is your book The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life about?
A: It dives into the science of how your body's pH levels, inflammation, and chronic diseases are connected, and how a vibrant, whole-food, plant-based diet acts as your ultimate shield. We live in an "acidic" world, and it isn't just about eating junk food. It's the stress in your mind and toxic relationships. The book shows you the massive difference between living an acidic, inflamed life and stepping into an energized, alkaline state.
