In this episode, Amy challenges the common belief that heart health only matters later in life and break down why it’s a performance priority for athletes right now. Listeners will learn how everyday nutrition choices directly affect training capacity, recovery, and long-term cardiovascular health, even in youth and teen athletes. We highlight three key nutrition levers, omega-3 fats, smarter saturated fat intake, and fiber, and explain how each supports both heart health and athletic performance. The episode wraps with practical, age-specific guidance for young athletes, reinforcing one clear takeaway: protecting your heart isn’t separate from performance, it’s foundational to it.

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com

In Episode 72, Dr. Shaun Garff breaks down what youth and teen athletes truly need to perform, stay healthy, and recover well, starting with the fundamentals that are often overlooked. Listeners will gain clarity on the most common nutrition- and injury-related issues seen in young athletes, how to communicate about nutrition in a way that supports performance and long-term development, and why high-level sports medicine and nutrition care shouldn’t be reserved for elite athletes only. Dr. Garff also shares the vision behind SportMed Connect, the gaps it addresses at the club sports level, and how a more integrated, professional approach can elevate outcomes for athletes, parents, coaches, and organizations alike.

- www.sportmedconnect.com

- info@sportmedconnect.com

- instagram @sportmedconnect

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com

In this episode of the podcast, Amy explores how athletes can use habit stacking to build powerful routines that actually stick during busy school days, training schedules, and competitive seasons without feeling overwhelmed. You will learn what habit stacking is, why it works so well for athletes, and how attaching small performance-focused habits to existing daily routines can improve hydration, fueling, recovery, focus, and mental resilience. The episode walks through practical examples at home, at school, and in training, explains how many habits to work on at once, and offers a simple, step-by-step framework to start building sustainable habits in January and beyond, replacing motivation with systems that make progress automatic and repeatable.

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com

In this episode, Amy sits down with Dr. Kate Lund, licensed clinical psychologist, performance coach, and host of The Optimized Mind, to explore what true mental resilience really looks like for athletes and the families who support them. You’ll learn why burnout and perfectionism are so common in today’s sports culture, how parents and coaches can shift from pushing to genuinely supporting, and what “stepping away” actually means when it comes to building confident, resilient athletes. Dr. Lund shares insights from her work with elite performers, Navy SEALs, and families, offering practical strategies for navigating setbacks, injury, disappointment, and everyday stress. This conversation connects mindset, recovery, and family dynamics to show how resilience is built through small, intentional habits that lead to long-term performance, well-being, and success both on and off the field.

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com

This episode breaks down how red and green superfoods can elevate an athlete’s performance, recovery, and immune resilience during the busy holiday season. You’ll learn why these colors signal powerful nutrients and how they help reduce soreness, boost energy, improve sleep, support oxygen transport, and strengthen overall recovery. Amy highlights the top five red and top five green foods to include, plus creative ways to fit them into meals and snacks even when training, travel, and holiday chaos collide. It’s a simple, strategic way to keep your plate festive, functional, and aligned with your performance goals all December long.

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com

In this episode, Amy sits down with Karen E. Todd, VP of Global Brand Marketing at Kyowa Hakko USA, to explore the powerful intersection of nutrition, cognitive health, and performance, especially for youth athletes. Together, they dive into how fueling strategies impact both the body and the mind, from optimizing recovery and focus to preventing burnout and building resilience. Listeners will learn how to support young athletes with practical, science-based approaches that enhance energy, concentration, and overall well-being, on and off the field.

Karen E. Todd, VP of Global Brand Marketing at Kyowa Hakko USA

kyowa-usa.com / cognizin.com / cognizinciticoline (IG)

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com

In this episode, we’re serving up the ultimate guide to fueling your pickleball game, from peewee players to seasoned pros. Amy breaks down her top 10 performance nutrition tips to help you boost endurance, sharpen focus, and recover faster on and off the court. You’ll learn what to eat before, during, and after a match, how to stay properly hydrated, and the key nutrients that support energy, joint health, and longevity in the sport. Whether you’re playing casually with friends or competing in weekend tournaments, this episode gives you practical, real-world strategies to keep your game strong at any age.

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com

In this episode, Amy is joined by Missy Mitchell-McBeth, strength coach and author of Developmental to Division 1: Strength & Conditioning for the Volleyball Athlete, to break down how volleyball players can train smarter, get stronger, and stay healthy at every level. They discuss how to build a solid foundation of strength, prevent overuse injuries, and develop explosive power safely, while also covering key strategies for recovery, proper nutrition, and long-term performance. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation delivers practical insights to help volleyball players reach their full potential, on the court and beyond.

Website: missymitchellmcbeth.com/

Book: Developmental to Division 1: Strength & Conditioning for the Volleyball Athlete

Instagram: @missymmcbeth

X: @missyMmcbeth

Email: Support@MissyMitchellMcBeth.com

To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com.
Check out our YouTube channel for more sports nutrition tips and tricks.

Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? email us at info@thesportsnutritionplaybook.com