First Play Nutrition
Nutrition is the First Play
Why first play nutrition
Athletes are taught how to throw, hit, run, lift, and compete. But many are never taught the skill underneath all of it: how to fuel the body they are asking to perform.
Nutrition information is everywhere. Yet, it is hard to find someone who actually understands what a young athlete needs. It IS protein, carbs, and fats; but it is also a packed schedule, picky eating, a tournament every weekend, and navigating a constant stream of opinions about food. Although families already make nutrition decisions every day, you don’t have to be your young athlete’s sports dietitian. That is where First Play comes in.
First Play is the education to help family nutrition decisions work harder, even before they know what questions to ask… but most importantly, First Play is the authority who helps make this feel important to young athletes.
We start with your athlete. We build the foundation that gives athletes the edge to train harder, recover better, and perform at their best — while developing habits that protect their long-term health long after their playing days.
ABOUT HAILEy
I am a Registered Dietitian, former professional athlete, and mom of young boys. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Physical Performance from Saint Louis University.
I spent nearly 10 years working with adult athletes, helping them build individualized nutrition strategies to support training, recovery, and performance. Over the years I identified that my clients were trying to improve performance while trying to undo habits and beliefs around food that were built years earlier.
First Play Nutrition exists to teach those skills earlier!
I specialize in individualized nutrition. Every athlete is different and every sport has unique demands. I coach directly from the sidelines by focusing on YOUR athlete, their sport, their goals, their training demands, their schedule, and the feedback their body is already providing.
I am not an appointment-based practitioner. When we partner together, you are bringing me into your life through check-ins and consistent communication (rather than scheduling more time for another appointment or commitment on an already full calendar). We will find opportunities for improvement and build on the nutrition strategies that augment performance NOW while creating habits that last long after their playing days.
Who I help
Youth Athletes + Families
From the 8 year old whose parents are still making every food decision, to the 17 year old who is largely feeding themselves and heading toward college.
Individualized nutrition coaching for athletes or the families fueling them.
competitive athletes
More specific training or recruiting goals require more directed nutrition coaching.
Performance-focused protocols built around your sport, your goals, and your timeline.
teams + organizations
Education designed for coaches, athletes, and parents.
Presentations, parent nights, and nutrition education brought directly to your program.
Why now?
Performance is a great reason to care about nutrition! In all of my years working with athletes, most of them reach out when “something feels wrong”. Maybe it is sudden painful digestion that is affecting their training, a fatigue that grows to the point of sleep not fixing it, or a suspicion about a nutrient deficiency that they read about online. After we zoomed out, we would realize that the signs of needing nutrition support had actually been there for a while.
For families with young athletes, the goal is to teach these skills while habits are still forming. We want athletes to grow while feeling what it is like to be truly fueled while pursuing something they love. An athlete may reach out when something “feels wrong”… but an athlete does not have to wait to seek support.
A family who simply wants to share the responsibility of figuring it all out with someone who has studied it deeply (and seen even more) is reason enough!
work with first play nutrition
Fueling an athlete is a team sport.
First Play Nutrition helps athletes and families build practical nutrition skills to support performance, recovery, and lifelong health. Whether you are looking for individual support, team education, or simply want to learn more, I'd love to connect.
Email: hailey@firstplaynutrition.com
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