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- Athletes Ignore You? Try This Instead
Athletes Ignore You? Try This Instead
Alfie Gordon & pninsider
March 17, 2025
Get smarter every week with expert opinions, in-depth analysis, and real-world case studies to elevate your practice.
Expert Opinion - Reuben Stables: Relationships Beat Research Every Time
"Players don't care if you've got a PhD or you've been to primary school mate."
Performance Nutritionist Reuben Stables learned this through elite academy football.
His research uncovered critical insights on youth footballer energy needs.
But his impact came through building real connections.
One player walked different corridors to avoid nutrition conversations.
Everything changed after discovering they lived near the same neighbourhood.
This simple connection led to honest discussions instead of hiding habits.
The relationship came first. The nutrition education followed.
Another player would spend 20 minutes discussing the Super League controversy—creating the perfect opening for game-day nutrition strategies.
The secret?
"If you can take that elite level research and package it into something that they understand, then that's when you can have some really good success."
Actionable Takeaway:
Invest time finding common ground before pushing nutrition education
Meet athletes where they are — sometimes FIFA ratings discussions create pathways to nutritional change
Translate complex science into language that resonates with each individual's motivations
Are you focusing enough on relationships in your practice, or are you leading with the science?
Watch the full interview via the Performance Nutrition Network. Join the discussion and access more insights from leading practitioners. Save 25% off per month for life with code “pnnmember25”. LINK
Market Opportunity - Problem-Focused Messaging
Top Pick: Why Your Messaging Could Double Your Client Base
Our Take: Small changes to your messaging can dramatically transform your business results.
Nutritionists double or even triple their conversion rates after refining how they communicate their value—same skills, same services, but significantly more clients.
Why does this matter?
When athletes hear "nutrition planning," they nod politely. When they hear "Ensure you're not undermining thousands of hours of training with incorrect fuelling" they book calls.
The impact is measurable: more website conversions, more discovery calls booked, more paying clients—without changing your expertise or services.
Try the "Ouchy-Pain-Bot" tool to identify what your athletes are most motivated to solve: LINK
In an increasingly competitive market, the nutritionists who speak directly to athletes' pressing challenges aren't just more persuasive—they're more profitable.
Resource Roundup
A curated list of helpful links, resources, or reads. Three YouTube videos to watch.
Can You Legally Give Someone Macros? Scope of Practice – "An essential discussion with Danny Lennon and Alex Thomas exploring the legal boundaries of nutrition advice for fitness professionals." LINK
Dairy Matters: Nourishing Girls and Women for a Healthy Future – "How dairy products play a vital role in supporting female health and athletic performance across different life stages." LINK
Jordan Sullivan: Fuelling for Sports Performance & Body Composition – "Dr. Andy Galpin and Jordan Sullivan break down advanced nutrition strategies to optimise both athletic performance and body composition goals." LINK
From the Community
This Week’s Shoutout:
An upcoming event on how to build a successful nutrition business, hosted by James Morehen is coming on March 18th.
Key Topics:
🔹 Many performance nutritionists struggle to turn their expertise into a thriving business.
🔹 Common mistakes include unclear messaging, undervaluing services, and relying solely on referrals.
🔹 Practical strategies exist to attract more clients, build authority, and scale sustainably.
Join the Performance Nutrition Network Business Building Event and save 25% off per month for life with code “pnnmember25”. LINK
High Impact Job
High Impact Job Performance Nutrition Coordinator at UFC – Entry-level position supporting elite MMA athletes at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Develop and implement nutrition strategies, conduct athlete education, manage weight classification protocols, and oversee on-site fueling stations. Requires graduate degree in Nutrition/Exercise Science and RD credential. Salary not disclosed. LINK
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That’s all for this week!
Speak soon,
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