In today's dynamic world of sports coaching, SPAN Athletics brings together Coach Lindsay Patrick and Athletic Director Taryn Floyd from Fort Dorchester, South Carolina, for a deep dive into the realities and rewards of coaching modern athletes. This episode, “Coaching Through Change: Leading with Adaptability and Balance,” explores key challenges faced by sports coaches—including evolving athlete needs, effective communication with parents, staff collaboration, and adapting to changing training techniques and rules. The conversation also highlights crucial topics in sports nutrition, optimizing athlete performance, and building mental resilience for both coaches and athletes.
Listeners will gain insights on balancing career and family life, preventing coaching burnout, and maintaining a healthy mindset in a competitive environment. The hosts address the impact of rapid societal changes on youth sports, the importance of ongoing education, and strategies for successful recruiting and leadership in athletic programs. Both Lindsay and Taryn share actionable advice for sports professionals, parents, and athletes, covering practical approaches to fostering growth, athlete wellbeing, motivation, and long-term development.
Whether you are a youth sports coach, sports nutritionist, athletic director, or passionate parent committed to the well-being of athletes, this episode delivers expert perspectives, practical strategies, and empowering mindset tips that optimize performance on and off the field. Tune in for evidence-based recommendations on managing change, building effective teams, and supporting athlete development in today’s fast-moving sports landscape.
Episode Overview
Join hosts Stacy and Lindsay and they sit down with Christopher Ortiz—educator, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach, and advocate for youth development. In this insightful episode, they dive deep into how compassion and character are just as critical as achievement in both schools and sports. Ortiz explains how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can act as a powerful habit to nurture resilience, creative problem-solving, and lasting personal growth in young people.
Listeners will discover the impact of integrating movement and martial arts into education, learn how supportive parenting empowers children’s sports journeys, and explore the lifelong benefits of athletic participation. Ortiz’s stories and strategies highlight the enduring power of empathy, the importance of supporting kids’ passions, and the invaluable life lessons learned far beyond the game.
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Top Takeaways
• Empathy and kindness are essential building blocks in both sports and education.
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers tools for resilience, growth, and coping with setbacks.
• Every success story includes obstacles—embracing the journey is what matters.
• Active movement sparks learning; incorporating it transforms classrooms.
• Introducing Jiu Jitsu into schools helps students develop focus and character.
• Facing adversity in sports shapes young people’s outlook and skills for life.
• Parents play a vital role by encouraging self-discovery and ownership, not just pursuing their own dreams through their children.
• Every young athlete deserves a supportive environment and community.
• Equity in youth sports is crucial—every child deserves a chance to play.
• The bonds and lessons forged in sports last a lifetime.
Keywords
education, coaching, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, youth sports, empathy, character, mindset, adversity, self-worth, parenting
Connect & Subscribe:
Follow The Winning Edge: Focus, Faith, & Fueling Podcast on YouTube and Spotify for more conversations that challenge, inspire, and equip you to lead with purpose—on and off the field. Or engage with us at @SPAN_Athletics on all of our social channels.
Description:
In this episode of The Winning Edge Podcast, Stacy and Lindsay sit down with youth hockey coach Nick Giondfriddo to talk about what it really takes to lead young athletes. From building trust and accountability to setting unshakable standards, Coach Giondfriddo shares his approach to developing not just skilled players—but confident, resilient leaders for life. Nick opens up about how mental toughness is shaped in everyday moments, why leadership starts with ownership, and the lessons he hopes every athlete carries long after the final buzzer. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or play, this conversation will leave you inspired to go all in for your team and your purpose.
What You’ll Learn:
• How mindset and nutrition shape athletic performance
• Why trust is the foundation of every successful team
• The power of holding a consistent standard
• How to teach accountability in high-pressure moments
• Why leadership and connection matter more than trophies
• What it means to leave a legacy that lasts beyond the game
Key Quotes:
• “If you don’t have trust, you don’t have a team.”
• “The standard is the standard—and that doesn’t change.”
• “It’s not about banners on the wall; it’s about who they become.”
Episode Keywords: coaching, youth sports, team culture, trust, accountability, mental toughness, player development, hockey, leadership, athlete mindset
Connect & Subscribe:
Follow The Winning Edge: Focus, Faith, & Fueling Podcast on YouTube and Spotify for more conversations that challenge, inspire, and equip you to lead with purpose—on and off the field. Or engage with us at @SPAN_Athletics on all of our social channels.
This episode of the SPAN Athletics Coaches POV PodcastSeries features a heartfelt conversation with Lauren Reid, a passionate mom, wife, and celebrated softball coach who has impacted generations of girls in her rural Texas hometown. Host Lindsay explores Lauren’s coaching milestones, her commitment to community, and how faith, tradition, and resilience shape both her career and the student-athletes she serves.
Featured Guest
Lauren Reid: Former varsity softball head coach (9 years), member of the 100 Wins Coaching Club (103 wins), Coaching Staff of the Year honoree, founder of the Texas Hold’em select softball team, special education teacher, and devoted mom and mentor.
Key Topics & Highlights
Lauren’s Coaching Journey:
Transitioned from standout playerto coach, inspired by a desire to give back to her hometown and to stay involved with the sport she loves after deciding not to play in college. Highlights of her coaching career include a remarkable 26-1 season, an undefeated district run (9-0), a 16-game win streak, and deep playoff success that energized the entire community.
Community and Youth Engagement:
Lauren and her husband created the Texas Hold’em tournament team to bridge gaps in player development, attract more girls to local softball, and create a high-quality, year-round training environment, especially for their daughters and local talent. Discusses the power of small-towncommunity support, from raucous crowds to rallying together through tragedy and loss.
Fostering Teamwork & Relationships:
Lauren shares practical strategies for nurturing positive communication, instilling accountability, and handling inevitable team conflicts. Reflects on how coaching both her children and countless others cemented a culture of family and togetherness, extending beyond the field to weddings, life events, and lasting friendships.
Adapting Coaching & Teaching:
Her experience in special education helped shape her individualized approach: meeting every athlete where they are, much like supporting diverse learners in the classroom. Emphasizes that supporting athletes goes far beyond wins—coaches serve as parents, mentors, and role modelsinvested in their players’ goals, challenges, and successes.
Tradition and Family Legacy:
Shares the pride and emotion of watching her own daughters compete on the same field she and her sister once did, highlighting deep roots and the enduring role of tradition in Alto athletics.
Coping with Loss & Building Resiliency:
Offers a moving account of guiding her community through unimaginable tragedies, highlighting the profound impactof collective support and faith during moments of grief and adversity.
Balancing Coaching, Teaching, and Motherhood:
Details the realities of rural coaching—serving as field maintenance crew, bus driver, and mother figure—and the life lessons her daughters and players gained by witnessing her hard work and dedication.
Emotional Endings and Lasting Impact:
Discusses the bittersweet experience of stepping away from high school coaching, preparing for her last home game, and the ongoing relationships with former players that define hertrue “wins.”
Redefining Winning:
Lauren reveals how her definition of success evolved, from scoreboard victories to measurable personal and team growth, goal-setting, and lifelong impact on her athletes.
Connect
Learn more about the SPAN Athletics mission, upcomingpodcast episodes, and community engagement at www.spanathletics.com
Follow along for more Coaches POV interviews andstudent-athlete spotlights.
Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share.For more stories on the power of coaching, community, and youth sports, subscribe to the SPAN Athletics podcast series.
Have a coach or athlete you’dlike to nominate? Reach out via our website at info@spanathletics.com or via our social channels.
Season 2 of The Winning Edge Podcast with Stacy & Lindsay, “The Coaches Point of View,” offers an inspiring exploration into the leadership and mentorship of top coaches who prioritize faith first in their approach to sports, featuring honest, practical conversations about guiding athletes to success while nurturing their spiritual growth and character; with candid interviews and scripture-rooted wisdom, this season delivers actionable strategies and heartfelt testimonies on building resilient teams and developing faith-driven leaders, serving as a valuable resource for coaches, parents, and communities seeking to create a lasting impact through a Christ-centered coaching.
This conversation features the dedicated coaching staff at Rowe Middle School in Cypress, Texas, who emphasize the importance of developing student-athletes not just in sports, but in character, teamwork, and academics. The coaches their motto, 'Rowe, let's row,' which symbolizes unity and teamwork. They share insights on the unique challenges faced in a Title I school, the significance of balancing academic success with athletic participation, and the vital role of mentorship in shaping young individuals. The discussion highlights the ripple effect of sports on school culture and the importance of engaging families in the development of student-athletes.
Keywords: Coaches Point of View, Rowe Middle School, football coaching, teamwork, Title I schools, student-athlete development, academic success, mentoring, sports culture, community engagement, youth sports
Keywords: mentorship, sports, youth athletes, coaching, personal growth, resilience, faith, confidence, transition, encouragement
Summary: In this episode of the Winning Edge Podcast, host Stacy and guest Andy Williams, ex collegiate and professional baseball player, discuss the profound impact of mentorship on athletes both on and off the field. They explore the importance of personal relationships, the transition from high school to college sports, and the role of coaches as mentors. The conversation highlights the challenges of faith-based mentorship, the gaps in youth sports, and the significance of encouragement and resilience in building confidence among young athletes. Ultimately, they emphasize that mentorship is a long-term commitment that shapes not only athletic performance but also personal growth and character development.
Takeaways
Keywords: coaching, athlete development, weight room culture, leadership, team dynamics, youth sports, coaching strategies, building relationships, self-reflection, sports mentorship.
Summary: In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacy and Lindsay engage with David Raffield, a retired high school football coach known for his impactful coaching career in Texas. Kicking off their "Coaches Point of View" Series they discuss the importance of building a strong culture within sports teams, particularly through the weight room, and how this environment fosters teamwork, accountability, and personal growth among athletes. Raffield shares his insights on coaching strategies, the significance of self-reflection, and the necessity of establishing meaningful relationships with athletes. The conversation highlights the broader impact coaches have on their players' lives, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the lasting legacy of coaching.
Takeaways:
Guest Bio: Daniel Champagne is an athlete and faith leader whose testimony centers on finding true identity in Christ, rather than in athletic performance or worldly accolades.
Christian Identity for Athletes: Daniel shares how athletes often grapple with their worth being tied to wins, stats, or outside recognition. Through personal stories, he reveals that letting Christ define identity brings peace, resilience, and joy regardless of outcomes, emphasizing that who we are is fully reliant on what Christ has accomplished.
Victory in Christ—Beyond Sports: Theconversation explores how “Victory” in God’s eyes isn’t measured by medals or scores, but by faithfulness, transformation, and character—shaped by trusting God in both triumphs and challenges. Lindsay and Stacy discuss how athletes, parents, and coaches benefit from anchoring their mindset in what God says about them.
Living Out Faith—On and Off the Field: Daniel discusses living boldly for Christ during competition, focusing on using one’s gifts for God’s glory and competing “free” from fear or perfectionism. Examples are shared about praying as teams, encouraging others, and making faith part of athletic culture.
Actionable Takeaways:·
Closing Remarks: Listeners are encouraged to embrace who God says they are as athletes and individuals. Faith, focus, and fueling are intertwined and vital for victory in life. Theepisode closes with resources for staying connected to the SPAN community, plus a prayer for athletes to compete free from anxiety and live out their calling with courage and joy.
This episode explores the tension between feeling a callingand not knowing the exact path forward, emphasizing the role of faith and obedience when answers aren't clear. Using biblical stories—like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and the disciples—the hosts highlight how faith often requiresaction without full certainty, trusting that each next step will be guided by God. The personal story about Lindsay’s son’s baseball practice demonstrates how embracing discomfort leads to personal growth; while settling for comfortoften means falling short of one’s true potential.
The conversation transitions to a preview of a new seriesfocusing on youth sports through the lens of coaches. The series aims to help parents, athletes, and aspiring coaches understand the crucial perspective coaches bring to youth development. Future segments will cover the coach’s role, overcoming common challenges, building trust, effective communication, and the importance of mentoring that goes beyond sports.
Listeners are reminded that while the game matters, the real transformation comes from the journey.
Key Points
· Faith and obedience are more important than having a complete plan.
· Growth happens outside the comfort zone; settling leads to missed opportunities.
· God expects trust step-by-step, not a perfect roadmap.
· Join us as we embark on a NEW series where will spotlight great coaches - in what we are calling "The Coach’s POV", emphasizing the impact of great coaches to our athletes and sports.
In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacyand Lindsay discuss the inherent leadership qualities of young athletes. They explore the dual nature of athletic leadership, emphasizing the pressures athletes face and the importance of developing mental and emotional skills. Theconversation highlights how leadership influences team dynamics, the role of coaches in fostering leadership, and the significance of communication and accountability. They also delve into the mental and emotional aspects of leadership, the importance of reflection and decision-making, and the need for athletes to recognize their influence both on and off the field.
Takeaways
In this episode, hosts Stacy and Lindsay are joined by Roberta Anding, a prominent sports dietitian, to delve into how puberty, body image, and nutrition intersect to shape the experiences of young athletes. The conversation highlights the unique challenges adolescents face as their bodies change and how crucial it is to approach these topics with sensitivity and support.
Roberta explains that puberty has varying effects on growth in boys and girls and underscores why it's important for parents and coaches to use positive, encouraging language around young athletes. The discussion stresses that athletes' self-esteem is deeply influenced by the words and attitudes of trusted adults.
The podcast also covers the importance of good sports nutrition, suggesting that young athletes should listen to their hunger cues and focus on a balanced diet that fuels both performance and overall health. Roberta cautions against the use of growth hormone, noting its risks and the need for careful consideration.
Enjoying food—not just seeing it as fuel—is presented as key for mental wellness, as is fostering a healthy and balanced relationship with eating. The hosts and guest also reflect on how faith and community can provide much-needed support as young athletes manage both their sports journeys and personal growth.
In episode 17 of The Winning Edge Podcast, hosts Lindsay and Stacy sit down with Leslie J. Bonci—renowned registered dietitian, sports nutrition specialist, and co-founder of Performance365. Leslie brings decades of experience working with NFL teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, as well as a passion for busting nutrition myths and empowering athletes at every level.
This episode focuses on football nutrition—an especially relevant topic given football’s popularity in Texas. Leslie delves into practical advice for football players, coaches, and parents, answering common questions about:
Leslie draws from her extensive experience to dispel nutrition myths, offering actionable advice and stressing that food should always bring comfort and support—not stress—to young athletes’ lives. Empowering kids with food choices, she argues, is a cornerstone for health, confidence, and long-term athletic success.
Episode Summary:
In this illuminating episode of Focus, Faith & Fueling: The Winning Edge Podcast, hosts Lindsay and Stacy are joined by renowned sports dietitian Tony Castillo to dive deep into the science and significance of hydration for athletes. Together, they unpack how hydration impacts performance and overall well-being, teaching listeners Tony’s practical ‘What’ method for assessing hydration needs and the vital role of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. The discussion highlights the risks of energy drinks, the benefits of prioritizing whole foods over supplements, and why understanding signals like urine color and thirst is key to healthy hydration. Faith and the importance of community support are also woven throughout, with valuable insights for athletes and parents alike to optimize health, performance, and mental resilience. Filled with actionable tips, this episode empowers listeners to make informed choices on and off the field.
Takeaways
Sound Bites:
"Your pee is your report card."
"Hydrate or die-drate!"
In this special episode of Focus, Faith & Fueling: The Winning Edge Podcast, hosts Lindsay and Stacy flip the script and welcome their 11-year-old sons to the mic for a heartwarming and eye-opening conversation about sports, faith, and family.
The boys share what they love (and don’t love) about playing sports, their favorite moments, and how their faith influences their attitude on and off the field—including their favorite Bible verses. They talk about what it really means to be a good teammate and offer honest advice for parents: “Your job is to cheer and support, my coach’s job is to coach.” Filled with wisdom, laughter, and candid moments, this episode offers a fresh perspective from young athletes and delivers meaningful messages to parents navigating sidelines and life lessons alike.
In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacy and Lindsay dive into the essential role of nutrition in boosting athletic performance for young athletes.
They stress the importance of prioritizing whole food over supplements and highlight the need for personalized nutrition plans tailored to each athlete’s needs.
Key discussion points include:
Throughout the episode, Stacy and Lindsay emphasize thevalue of consulting healthcare professionals before startingany supplement regimen, ensuring that young athletes make informed decisions to optimize their health and performance.
In this heartfelt episode of The Winning Edge Podcast, hostsLindsay and Stacy dive deep into the intersection of faith, family, and athletics. Lindsay, a former collegiate athlete and educational coach, and Stacy, a registered dietitian nutritionist, welcome special guest Shareese Houston-Motley—a dedicated educator and mother of two accomplished collegiate athletes.
Listeners will hear Shareese’s inspiring story of raising her sons, Tobias (a standout baseball player at Rice University) and Sterling (a collegiate athlete and local Houston select team coach), and the role faith played in guiding their athletic and personal journeys. The conversation explores:
Balancing ambition and values: How to encourage young athletes to dream big while keeping faith and character at the center.
Navigating challenges: Practical advice for helping kids cope with setbacks, pressure, and expectations, using faith as afoundation.
Faith in action: Real-life stories of overcoming adversity both on and off the field, and how spiritual grounding shaped theirfamily’s response.
Supporting without overstepping: Strategies for being a supportive parent without adding pressure and helping athletes use their gifts to serve others.
Lessons and legacy: The most important life lessons sports can teach, and advice for other parents seeking to keep faith at the heart of the journey.
Throughout the episode, Shareese shares wisdom, personalanecdotes, and actionable advice for parents who want to nurture their children’s athletic dreams while prioritizing growth, values, and faith. Stacy & Lindsay also highlight ways to stay connected with the SPAN community for more resources and support.
Tune in for an uplifting conversation that will leave you inspired to support your young athletes—on and off the field—with faith, focus, and love.
In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacy& Lindsay delve into the essential role of intrinsic motivation in the development and success of young athletes. Coach Lindsay highlights how true enjoyment and satisfaction in sports arise from within, rather than from external rewards or pressures.
The discussion centers on practical strategies for coachesand parents to nurture this inner drive. Key approaches include setting achievable micro-goals, promoting athlete autonomy, and building supportive partnerships. Coach Lindsay cautions against over-reliance on gamification,noting it can sometimes undermine genuine motivation.
Listeners will learn why focusing on the process of improvement—rather than just the end results—helps young athletes develop resilience and a healthy attitude toward feedback. The episode emphasizes the importance of modeling these behaviors as adults and creating environments where young athletes can thrive, grow, and find joy in their sports journey.
Key Takeaways
· Intrinsic motivation is vital for young athletes’ long-term success and well-being.
· Enjoyment and satisfaction are the main drivers of sustained motivation.
· Micro-goals help maintain focus and momentum.
· Gamification should be used carefully, as it can sometimes detract from intrinsic motivation.
· Building competence, autonomy, and supportive partnerships is essential.
· Coaches and parents play a critical role in fostering a positive, motivating environment.
· The process of improvement should be prioritized over winning or outcomes.
· Resilience and feedback are skills best modeled by adults.
· Goal setting is a foundational skill for young athletes.
This episode is a must-listen for coaches, parents, andanyone invested in the personal growth and mental edge of young athletes.
In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacy Bates and Lindsay Werkhoven Patirck are joined by Jessica Beal-Stahl, a former collegiate athlete who has transitioned into a career as a pharmacist. The conversation centers on the critical roles that nutrition and mental health play in the lives of young athletes, emphasizing the need for individualized and holistic care.
Jessica shares her personal journey, including struggles with disordered eating during her athletic career and how these challenges shaped her approach to health and recovery. The episode delves into the dangers young athletes face, such as the misuse of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like Ibuprofen or Aleve) and the prevalence of energy drinks, which are aggressively marketed to youth despite their potential negative health effects.
The hosts and guest stress that rest and recovery are as essential as training for optimal performance. They discuss how chronic inflammation, if left unchecked, can lead to long-term health consequences. The episode also highlights the benefits of creatine supplementation, not only for athletic performance but also for cognitive function.
A recurring theme is the importance of an interdisciplinary care team—including nutritionists, mental health professionals, and pharmacists—to provide comprehensive support for young athletes. The discussion underscores that many young athletes lack access to proper nutritional guidance and health resources, which can contribute to the development of unhealthy behaviors and hinder their performance and well-being.
The episode concludes with actionable advice: athletes should listen to their bodies, prioritize recovery, and seek support from a diverse team of professionals to safeguard both their physical and mental health.
Today we are talking with Hanna Eboagu and we are superexcited to have her join us because she is a wealth of knowledge and information. Hanna is a performance dietitian based in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX! She started and owns a nutrition consulting company called Equipped Wellness that focuses on developing strength-based athletes and is really aimed at working with free agents to get them back on the field/court fast through nutrition. Hanna is a 3 time state champion in girl’s powerlifting and then went on to Baylor and lifted on the club team which led to becoming a judge for the Texas Powerlifting Association.
In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacy andLindsay engage with Hannah Eboagu, a performance dietitian, discussing her journey from a dancer to a powerlifter and dietitian. They explore the importance of nutrition in athletic performance, particularly in powerlifting,and the unique challenges faced by athletes with special needs. Hannah shares her mission with Equipped Wellness, emphasizing community support in health and wellness journeys. The conversation also delves into the nutritional principles essential for powerlifting, including the significance of protein, hydration, and mental health in athletic performance. In this conversation, Hannah Eboagu and Stacy discuss the complexities of nutrition, particularly focusing on protein intake, the importance of variety in diets, and strategies for improving eating habits in children. They emphasize the need for individualized nutrition plans for athletes, especially during the off-season, and the significance of community and cultural aspects of food. The discussion also highlights common misconceptions about protein supplements and the importance of whole foods in a balanced diet.
Key Takeaways:
• Hannah's journey from dancer to powerlifter is inspiring.
• Powerlifting empowers athletes of all sizes.
• Nutrition for powerlifting differs from endurance sports.
• Mental health is affected by nutrition choices.
• Protein is essential for athletes, but quality matters.
• Hydration and sodium intake are crucial for performance.
• Community support enhances the nutrition journey.
• Variety in protein sources is essential for overall health.
• Supplements should not replace whole foods in a diet.
• Nutrition should be individualized, especially for athletes.
• Meal timing and gut training are crucial for performance.
• Alcohol consumption can significantly impact athletic performance.
• High protein diets are often misunderstood and misapplied.
• Children's taste buds change frequently, allowing for new food acceptance.
• Parents should model healthy eating behaviors for their children.
• Encouraging kids to participate in meal planning can improve their eating habits.
In this episode of the Winning Edge podcast, hosts Stacy and Lindsay discuss the critical aspects of sports nutrition, particularly for endurance athletes, with registered dietitian Jenna Brown. They explore Jenna's journey into sports nutrition, the importance of individualized nutrition plans, common myths in sports nutrition, and the role of supplements. The conversation also covers essential nutrients for athletes, hydration strategies, pre-race nutrition, and tips for first-time marathon runners. Jenna emphasizes the need for a solid nutrition game plan to enhance performance and recovery, while also addressing the importance of educating young athletes and their parents about nutrition.
About Jena Brown
Jena brings 17 years of experience as a registered dietitian, with nearly five years as a certified sports dietitian. Her career began in clinical nutrition but evolved to blend conventional sports fueling with integrative and functional approaches tailored to individual athletes. A lifelong athlete herself, Jena is an avid marathon runner and manages a busy household with four athletic children involved in various sports.
Key Topics Covered
Personalized Fueling for Endurance Athletes
Jena emphasizes that endurance sports offer athletes greater control over their nutrition strategies compared to team sports. Runners, for example, can plan detailed fueling and hydration routines, which can be a significant performance advantage.
She stresses the importance of personalizing nutrition, especially for youth athletes, as early habits shape both performance and long-term health.
Debunking Nutrition Myths
Jena addresses common misconceptions circulating on social media, such as “carbs are bad” or “more protein is better.” She highlights that while these messages may have some truth, they are often taken out of context and may not apply to every athlete. The key is understanding what works for each individual.
Tips for First-Time Marathoners
Jena shares practical advice for those training for their first marathon or half marathon, including the importance of testing nutrition strategies during training rather than on race day.
Stacy recounts a personal anecdote about eating half a taco before her first half marathon—a decision she humorously regrets and blames on her husband.
Training the Gut & Supplementation
The episode explores whether athletes can “train their gut” to better tolerate carbs and fluids during competition, and discusses supplements that may support endurance, recovery, and performance.
Hydration and Heat Management
Jena provides insights on sweat rate and offers hydration tips for athletes training in hot climates, such as the Texas summer.
Favorite Endurance Fuel Products
She shares her preferred gels, chews, and sports drinks, considering both taste and nutritional value.
Takeaway Message
Jena advocates for individualized nutrition strategies, especially for young athletes, and encourages listeners to seek guidance from professionals who understand both the sport and the athlete’s developmental needs. She urges athletes to be critical of generalized nutrition advice and to focus on what truly supports their unique goals and bodies.