Optimizing energy and productivity during busy seasons with Leslie Bonci

Optimizing energy and productivity during busy seasons with Leslie Bonci

Author: Progressive Dairy editors March 25, 2026 Duration: 48:53

Sleep and healthy habits are often the first to be deprioritized during busy seasons on the farm. Join registered dietitian and sports dietitian Leslie Bonci and host Kimmi Devaney for an energetic discussion about how to feel great and set ourselves up for success when life gets busy. Bonci has worked with several professional sports teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, and shares tips to improve sleep quality, enhance stress management and improve overall nutrition, along with some insights into working with professional athletes.

Connect with Bonci:

http://activeeatingadvice.com/

BonciLJ1@gmail.com


Episode breakdown:

  • [~1:15] About Bonci and why she is passionate about helping others with nutrition
  • [~2:40] Where to start with nutrition
  • [~4:20] What a healthy plate looks like
  • [~7:05] Tips to incorporate more produce
  • [~8:50] How to develop a more balanced mindset with nutrition
  • [~10:35] F&F concept: fiber and fluid
  • [~14:00] Grab-and-go meal planning and preparation for busy days
  • [~20:00] How nutrition impacts stress and resilience
  • [~22:50] How stress changes eating patterns and how to combat this
  • [~26:45] Tips to improve sleep
  • [~30:55] Which aspects of nutrition that Bonci recommends people track and monitor
  • [~34:15] Tools and trackers that can help with nutrition and wellness
  • [~36:45] Incorporating movement and exercise into busy days
  • [~42:00] Rapid-fire questions

For those who live and work in the world of milk production, the day doesn’t stop for a deep dive into industry news. That’s where the Progressive Dairy Podcast comes in, extending the trusted editorial voice of the magazine into an audio format you can take anywhere. Hosted by the Progressive Dairy editors, this series is crafted specifically for U.S. dairy producers and the network of professionals who support them. Think of it as a conversation with well-informed colleagues, breaking down the latest trends, operational strategies, and business insights that matter at the farm gate and beyond. You’ll hear straightforward discussions that translate complex topics into actionable advice, whether the subject is herd health, market dynamics, sustainability practices, or technology adoption. Released every other Tuesday, each episode is designed to fit into a busy schedule, providing a dose of relevant information during a morning commute or an afternoon walk. It’s more than just a business podcast; it’s a practical resource built on the same foundation of reliability that readers have come to expect, now available for your ears instead of your eyes. Tune in to stay informed and connected to the pulse of the dairy industry.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Progressive Dairy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Robotic milking with dairyman Jacob Twohey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Walt Cooley is joined by Jacob Twohey of Twohey Dairy. Like 95% of farms in Olmsted County where they dairy, their farm is family-owned, and Jacob represents the nex…
Bonus episode: What is the Real Producer Exchange? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:16
Introducing the Real Producer Exchange – a new, interactive experience where we go live, face-to-face with producers who are tackling the same challenges you face every day. It's your chance to get real answers from real…
Beef-on-dairy research with Tara Felix [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:03
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Matti McBride is joined by Tara Felix, associate professor and beef extension specialist at Penn State University. Felix has been feeding dairy steers and beef-on-da…
One Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for dairy with Danny Munch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:10
In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, learn about the dairy provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Economist Danny Munch joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss…