MANILA, Philippines – Hidilyn Diaz may be dealing with a ton of pressure gearing up for her 2020 Tokyo Olympics bid, but she’s also setting her sights far ahead of it – preparing for life after playing for the country. 

After ending the Philippines’ 20-year Olympic medal drought with a silver in 2016, Diaz started to pursue other ventures when she felt that retirement was within the horizon. 

To add to HD Cleaning Services which she has been running after the Rio Olympics, the country’s top weightlifter recently opened Komida Foods – a healthy snacks venture – which she’s passionate about. 

“Thankful ako na nandito ang Komida, nakakatulong talaga sa akin as an athlete. Komida is Filipino-made, isa ako sa owner with my partner. High-protein and high-recovery [food], so it’s for athletes talaga and healthy na siya, and at the same time masarap pa siya,” said Diaz. 

(I’m thankful that we created Komida because this really helps me as an athlete. Komida is Filipino-made and I am one he owners with my partner. It’s high-protein and high-recovery food, so it’s really for athletes and it’s healthy and good at the same time.) 

Diaz made sure that each aspect of her business is special to her.

Komida means food in Chavacano, which is one of the dialects spoken in Diaz’s hometown in Zamboanga. 

Being an Olympian herself, Diaz wants more Filipino athletes to reach the biggest stage in sports, so she partnered with chef Allan Jose – who prepared all her meals leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

Komida currently has 4 variants – protein cookies, protein bars, energy nuggets and granola – which are in line with Diaz and Jose’s vision of providing elite athletes with nutritious food that will help them achieve their athletic goals. 

But of course, Komida – which prides itself in being GMO-free and preservative-free –  will also be available to ordinary people who just want to munch away without thinking about unnecessary calories. 

“Ang target is atleta, ordinary people and siyempre ‘yung mga health conscious, ‘yung mga may gusto kumain ng healthy na pagkain na hindi masyado sila matetempt kumain ng medyo junk food so ‘yung best option is Komida for them,” said Diaz. 

(We target athletes, ordinary people and of course, the health conscious, those who just want to eat healthy food so that they will not be tempted to eat junk food, so the best option for them is Komida.) 

More than just a business venture, Diaz really just wants to inspire more athletes to look after themselves and their future.  – Rappler.com