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Laura\u2019s guest this week is the Sports Dietitian and Physiologist for the United States Olympic Committee, Susie Parker-Simmons. With her experience in both Australia and the United States, and her involvement at 7 Olympic Summer, Winter, and Paralympic Games, Susie is a wealth of knowledge and experience in employing nutrition to extend athletic careers.

Susie begins today\u2019s discussion by reviewing her journey to her current role and her work during the pandemic, and offering an extensive analysis of how to use nutrition to extend athletic careers. She explores the impact of nutrition on the physical, cognitive and emotional development of athletes, offers some tips for young athletes, and shares her perspective on nutritional supplementation. Susie also looks at the evolution of the nutritional content of food over the years, dietary practices for recovering from injuries, breakthroughs in sports nutrition, and preparing athletes for easing into retirement. She finishes by providing her recommendations regarding the use of apps by athletes. As you listen today, you will be struck not only by Susie\u2019s expertise in this field, but her sincere desire to make the life of athletes better both within and outside of their sport \u2013 she is truly as informative as she is inspirational.

Episode Highlights:

Susie\u2019s journey to her current role\nHer work during the pandemic\nUsing nutrition to help extend your athletic career\nDetermining the time of peak growth \nNutrition and physical, cognitive and emotional development\nTop tips for young athletes\nReliable sources of nutritional information for athletes\nDifferent nutritional requirements for different sports\nNutritional supplementation\nThe evolution of the nutritional content of food\nDietary practice advice for athletes recovering from injuries\nBreakthroughs in sports nutrition\nPreparing athletes to ease into their retirement\nSusie\u2019s recommendations regarding apps

Quotes:

\u201cDuring the peak growth phase\u2026you need to modify the load through the body because that\u2019s the at-risk time for injury.\u201d

\u201cIf you listen to your body, your body will tell you\u2026what it needs.\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s important not to neglect the emotional and the cognitive sort of development that happens with these kids as well because they may stop the sport.\u201d

\u201cIt\u2019s important to look at who you are, what your dreams are\u2026what you need to do to fulfill your dreams.\u201d

\u201cI want to prevent the loss of athletes from sport, and also the loss of the love and the passion for their sport.\u201d

\u201cWe\u2019ve just got to make sure we look after their life outside of the sport as well as their life in sport.\u201d

\u201cGo back to the basics.\u201d

\u201cI try to take the emotion out of food.\u201d

Links:\nThe Pursuit of Gold homepage: http://thepursuitofgold.com/

Susie\u2019s work with Olympic athletes: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/February/17/Nutritionists-Behind-The-Scenes-Give-Team-USA-Athletes-The-Right-Fuel-For-Success