Kelsey Poulter: What Every Young Athlete Gets Wrong About Food

What happens when you combine deep science with real-world results—and package it all in a way that actually makes sense to young athletes? You get Kelsey Poulter. In today’s episode, we’re joined by the founder of Next Level Athletes, a sports nutrition expert who has quickly become one of the most trusted voices in the performance space. With a background in Exercise Physiology and a skyrocketing online presence that’s grown from 2,000 to over 450,000 followers in just over a year, Kelsey is proof that authenticity, clarity, and results still win. Kelsey is on a mission to help athletes—from high school hopefuls to pros in the MLB—turn food into a performance weapon. She believes nutrition is wildly underutilized in sports and calls it the “separator” that most athletes are missing.  Kelsey likes to talk about how elite outcomes require elite actions—often the boring, consistent ones no one wants to talk about. In this episode she dives into the real difference between eating for general health and eating for performance, why sugar and carbs are absolutely essential for athletes, and how to rethink popular nutrition trends like skipping breakfast, cutting out food groups, or obsessing over seed oils.  Whether you’re a coach, a parent, or an athlete chasing your potential, this episode is packed with perspective-shifting advice that can help you level up—without losing your mind. Tap into the Kelsey Poulter Special.    If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.  Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W  N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run  -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:    / @therunningeffectpod   -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunninge... -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Nutrition Advice All Runners Need to Hear | EAT MORE, RUN FASTER!
▶︎

Nutrition Advice All Runners Need to Hear | EAT MORE, RUN FASTER!

Kelsey Poulter - Sports Nutrition 101
▶︎

Kelsey Poulter - Sports Nutrition 101

Athletes and Mental Health: The Hidden Opponent | Victoria Garrick | TEDxUSC
▶︎

Athletes and Mental Health: The Hidden Opponent | Victoria Garrick | TEDxUSC

Hydration for Athletes - Kelsey Poulter
▶︎

Hydration for Athletes - Kelsey Poulter

Dr. Stacy Sims: The Protein Standard for Women Was Never Based on Women
▶︎

Dr. Stacy Sims: The Protein Standard for Women Was Never Based on Women

Novak Djokovic REVEALS His Secret Mindset Shift That ENDS Self-Doubt...
▶︎

Novak Djokovic REVEALS His Secret Mindset Shift That ENDS Self-Doubt...

Fix RED-S: The Runner’s Fueling Guide (with RD Cortney Berling)
▶︎

Fix RED-S: The Runner’s Fueling Guide (with RD Cortney Berling)

I Investigated The Country Where it's Illegal To Be Fat
▶︎

I Investigated The Country Where it's Illegal To Be Fat

The best foods to fight inflammation this spring | Prof. Tim Spector and Dr. Federica Amati
▶︎

The best foods to fight inflammation this spring | Prof. Tim Spector and Dr. Federica Amati

The Truth About Depression - Dr Joanna Moncrieff
▶︎

The Truth About Depression - Dr Joanna Moncrieff

Sports Nutritionist: How To Fuel Your Body Like an Elite Athlete
▶︎

Sports Nutritionist: How To Fuel Your Body Like an Elite Athlete

Dr. Stacy Sims: How Women Should Train, Eat & Recover for Long-Term Health | The Best of 2025
▶︎

Dr. Stacy Sims: How Women Should Train, Eat & Recover for Long-Term Health | The Best of 2025

Biggest Nutrition Mistakes that Athletes Make
▶︎

Biggest Nutrition Mistakes that Athletes Make

How to Keep Improving as a Runner Every Year (Even If You Miss Workouts)
▶︎

How to Keep Improving as a Runner Every Year (Even If You Miss Workouts)

No.1 Protein Scientist: Are you eating enough? | Prof. Stuart Phillips & Dr. Federica Amati
▶︎

No.1 Protein Scientist: Are you eating enough? | Prof. Stuart Phillips & Dr. Federica Amati

Hormone Expert: Control Your Hormones Control Your Belly Fat! Cortisol, oestrogen, testosterone.
▶︎

Hormone Expert: Control Your Hormones Control Your Belly Fat! Cortisol, oestrogen, testosterone.

60 Minutes of Nutrition Advice Every Woman Should Know | Nutrition Expert
▶︎

60 Minutes of Nutrition Advice Every Woman Should Know | Nutrition Expert

I Trained Like A Victoria's Secret Model For 8 Weeks (My Results Were INSANE)
▶︎

I Trained Like A Victoria's Secret Model For 8 Weeks (My Results Were INSANE)

The Truth About Artificial Sweeteners: Are They Destroying Health?
▶︎

The Truth About Artificial Sweeteners: Are They Destroying Health?

Doctor: This Will Strip Your Fat Faster Than Anything! | Dr. Gabrielle Lyon
▶︎

Doctor: This Will Strip Your Fat Faster Than Anything! | Dr. Gabrielle Lyon