Alysha Clark is a 3x WNBA Champion and current player for the Las Vegas Aces. Although she is known for her swarming defense and clutch shooting skills, she’s got some impressive cooking skills, too. And now, she’s the first woman athlete to host her own cooking show: ”Off-Seasoning with Alysha Clark” started airing on PlayersTV in May.
The Origins of Chef Clark
Clark’s interest in cooking started watching her parents cook. When she moved out on her own in college, and eventually went on to play basketball overseas, her skills sharpened. But her passion really took off thanks to a chicken pot pie.
“I googled ‘how to make a homemade chicken pot pie,’” Clark said, remembering her first year in Israel playing for their women’s national basketball team. “I followed that up with ‘how to make cream of chicken soup from scratch’ and that ignited the desire to learn how to make all the food I loved from scratch,” she says.
Excellent chef skills came in handy for the elite athlete. “Fueling our bodies as athletes is so crucial to our performance. What we put into our bodies can literally give us an advantage when we step onto our respective fields,” Clark says.
As her cooking chops grew, she started thinking about how she could share her culinary passion. “My travels abroad for basketball and all the amazing food and flavors I got to experience gave me the inspiration to share with people,” Clark says. She realized that she not only wanted to share her passion for cooking with her close friends and family, but with a wider audience as well.
From the Court to the Test Kitchen
This is how Off-Seasoning was born. In her show, Clark shares everything from her favorite game day brunch, to her teriyaki and dijon crusted salmon, to indulgent meals she loves on a cheat day, to favorite dishes from countries she’s played in or traveled to. “I’m basically taking what I’ve been doing with family & friends over the years and bringing it to your tv screen,” she says.
“I hope it inspires other women to have faith that if you do things the right way, treat people well, remain authentic & never settle…something amazing and powerful is on the other side.”
And you won't just see Clark on the show. “These are going to be guests that are amazing human beings and doing some beautiful things in the world and maybe aren’t getting enough love and shine,” Clark says. “I’m so excited for y’all to hear the conversations and learn some really great tips and tricks in the kitchen.”
The ultimate goal for her show is to create a homey and relaxing vibe where she shares her favorite nutritious and delicious recipes while also having authentic conversations with her guests. Clark hopes to establish a sense of community and connection through her cooking.
Breaking Down Barriers
Being the first woman athlete ever to lead a cooking show, Clark is not only sharing her passion but also breaking down barriers and inspiring other women to do the same. “I hope it inspires other women to have faith that if you do things the right way, treat people well, remain authentic & never settle…something amazing and powerful is on the other side,” Clark says.
It’s only after a decade of playing in the WNBA that bigger opportunities, such as her new TV show, have opened up for her, she points out. Her inspiring story speaks to the importance of authenticity and persistence.
Clark’s Message to Young Women
Clark will not only be breaking down barriers as the first woman athlete to lead a cooking show, but she will also continue to be a role model for young women when it comes to fueling our bodies and having a positive relationship with food. “I think it’s so important for young athletes to understand the importance of proper nutrition and the benefits that I wish I would’ve known at that age. I also want to help them feel encouraged in their bodies and love how strong and amazing they are as they go through changes” she says.
From the court to the studio kitchen and beyond, Clark continues to shine, inspire, and impress. Make sure to tune in to PlayersTV to catch Off-Seasoning and to support Clark in her 13th season in the WNBA!
