Cara Clark led Northeastern State women's basketball in assists each of her four years in Tahlequah spanning 2002-2006. As a point guard she was tough nosed, determined and cared deeply for her teammates. Today, Clark is a highly successful nutritionist who has worked with various professional athletes and thanks NSU for "giving her, her life."
 
In the sixth installment of "catching up with the Northeastern State family" we highlight a conversation with Cara (Busson) Clark.
 
How did NSU help you get your start?
I think finding and stumbling upon NSU was truly God's plan for me. Coach Randy Gipson really instilled the character building that helps you develop as a whole person and not just a basketball player. He was always reminding us that we were going to grow up to be remarkable women and live a different purpose in life. There's nothing that touches the confidence level that you get from being a part of a team. I left understanding that in my life you either win or learn. I ended up in my nutrition career because as an athlete I was seeking better performance and how to support my body better to optimize my peak. I was always the first nutritionist picked because of my background in sports. For instance, Rob Pelinka, who is now the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers has a sports agency, that he doesn't run or operate anymore, but they would use me to work with their draft picks. That's just one example when professional athletes were drawn to work with another like minded athlete rather than somebody who just studied nutrition. I understand the bigger picture. Additionally, I met my husband through Earl Sanchez, who was a coach for the men's team. He connected me with my husband when I was moving to California. When I say NSU basketball gave me my life, it really truly did. Coach Gibson taught me that seldom is what is right in front of our eyes actually most important, there's always a bigger picture. I can attest that the experience I had as a player helped me get through hard times and overcome throughout my life. 
 
Is there a best moment at NSU that stands out to you?
During my freshman year we had such a great group and so much charisma. We won the Lone Star championship, something the program had never done before nor was expected. I expected to win because I always came from winning programs. I think that moment tied with making it to the Sweet 16 one year later.
 
What advice would you offer to current student-athletes?
I work with athletes all the time and one thing I try to tell them is listen to your body because it tells us what we need and gives us signs. We can always prevent burnout by understanding the needs of our bodies. Another thing is understanding that during the season we need more sleep and you must support yourself with amino acids. That was the stuff that I would have paid so much money to know as a player, just paying attention to the warning signs, because I ended up sick every end of season tournament. Yes, I played through it, but it wasn't fun.
 
I assume you studied nutrition at NSU? How was the in-the-classroom experience?
I was actually a broadcast journalism major and my plan was to go into sportscasting which I never did. 
 
So how'd you get to nutrition? What has been your post-graduation career path?
It's kind of funny, because I wanted to study physics and study weather. I've always been drawn to science. I was never an awesome student, but I was always in the honors science classes in high school. When I told my coaches they would say "you'd be much better as a sportscaster so you won't have to study during the season." Do I regret it? No, I've done a lot of television and half of what I do for my work in writing content. I'm really grateful to have the background that I have for connecting with people in marketing and public relations. All it took was doing an internship with Fox Sports in Tulsa to realize that's not what I wanted to do. It stressed me out and I knew I wanted a family, but nobody had them. 
 
You have your own business nowadays, correct?
Yes, I do group nutrition challenges and bring a little mind, body, spirit. It's a little different than what you'd see from a fitness focused nutrition program. I really engage with the whole body. I know Coach Gibson had a psychology background and I think that was part of what made him such a good coach. I want people to evolve and not just become different versions of themselves, but better. I bring that into coaching and that's what makes performance nutrition fun. I help Olympic athletes get back to training after they have babies and most recently have worked with professional softball players who are going into retirement. That's something I'm passionate about because I don't think there's a lot of support for athletes whose lives are changing and it's hard to see outside of sports. I think my philosophy and products are really helpful for female athletes who are looking to pivot into a different stage. 
 
You mentioned you're married, do you have children and where do you currently live?
I've been married 11 years and we just moved from Orange County, California, to the Nashville, Tennessee, area. We have four daughters, basically our own little team.