Episode 11: Ultra-Processed Foods: Top 10 to Watch + Balanced Fueling for Athletes

Episode 17: How to Gain 10 lbs in 10 Weeks: The Student-Athlete Blueprint

Most athletes overlook the simple, proven strategies that could help them gain 10 pounds in just 10 weeks—without turning to junk food or excessive supplements. If you're struggling to put on muscle despite training hard, this episode reveals the counterintuitive approach that makes weight gain achievable and sustainable.Wendi Irlbeck, a highly experienced sports dietitian and Christian mentor, shares practical, science-based tips rooted in her extensive coaching and internship experience. Discover why most "dirty bulking" methods backfire and how focusing on quality nutrition, consistent meal timing, and strategic calorie surpluses can transform your athletic performance. You'll learn specific tactics for fueling around workouts, the importance of carbs and protein, and how to incorporate electrolyte replenishment into your routine—all tailored for busy athletes juggling school, training, and faith.We break down: * The crucial role of carbohydrates in maintaining energy and preventing cramping * How to plan meals and snacks to ensure calorie needs are met without feeling overwhelmed * Proven strategies for packing nutrient-dense foods like Greek yogurt, turkey sandwiches, and homemade electrolyte drinks * The importance of sleep, hydration, and faith-driven discipline in maximizing results * Why larger muscle gains depend on intentional, consistent effort—and how faith and perseverance go hand-in-hand Missing out on these fundamentals means risking injuries, sluggish progress, and frustration. Athletes: Control your controllables — fuel, sleep, hydrate, and obey. Download my free Athlete Fueling Checklist at nutritionwithwendi.com [http://nutritionwithwendi.com] Wendi's elite athlete meal and snack guide: https://nww-membership.systeme.io/health-and-performance-meals-snacks-guide [https://nww-membership.systeme.io/health-and-performance-meals-snacks-guide] Elite health and performance nutrition playbook for coaches, parents, trainers and educators: https://nww-membership.systeme.io/health-and-performance-playbook [https://nww-membership.systeme.io/health-and-performance-playbook] Student athlete coaching program: https://nww-membership.systeme.io/fueling-the-elite-student-athlete-a-12-week-nutrition-system-for-coaches-parents-and-athletes-full-access [https://nww-membership.systeme.io/fueling-the-elite-student-athlete-a-12-week-nutrition-system-for-coaches-parents-and-athletes-full-access] Grab a copy of Wendi's 365-day devotional: https://a.co/d/0jejGyPj [https://a.co/d/0jejGyPj] Connect with Wendi for a team talk info@nutritionwithwendi.com [info@nutritionwithwendi.com]. 🔗 CONNECT WITH WENDI Instagram: @nutrition_with_wendi and @devotions_with_wendi X (formerly Twitter): @Wendi_Irlbeck Facebook: Nutrition with Wendi LinkedIn: Wendi Irlbeck, MS, RDN, LD, CISSN *👉Support the ministry! Wendi-Irlbeck on Venmo 🙏 STAY CONNECTED

Episode 16: Fuel like a Champion! The Elite Athlete Summer Blueprint

Summer is a make-or-break season for athletes. The habits you build over the next eight weeks will determine whether you return to your sport stronger, faster, more explosive, and mentally prepared—or fall behind before the season even begins. In episode 16 of The Wendi Irlbeck Show, sports dietitian and performance coach Wendi Irlbeck shares a complete offseason blueprint for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to maximize summer training and performance. You'll learn exactly how to fuel muscle growth, improve recovery, optimize hydration, and build the daily habits that separate good athletes from great ones. In This Episode You'll Learn: • How much muscle athletes can realistically gain in 8 weeks • Nutrition strategies to support strength, speed, power, and lean mass • Why many athletes struggle to gain weight—and how to fix it • The critical roles of protein, carbohydrates, hydration, and recovery • Smart fueling strategies for camps, tournaments, and summer travel • Sleep and recovery habits that improve performance • The most common mistakes that quietly sabotage offseason progress Whether you're a middle school, high school, or college athlete—or a parent or coach supporting one—this episode provides practical, evidence-based strategies to help athletes perform at their highest level. Wendi also shares actionable tools, including performance plate guidelines, protein targets, hydration strategies, nutrient timing, and simple habit audits that can dramatically improve results. If you're serious about returning to your sport stronger, more confident, and better prepared for the upcoming season, this episode is your roadmap. At The Wendi Irlbeck Show, we fuel your faith, strengthen your body, and sharpen your mind so you can become a good steward of the gifts God has given you. Don't waste your summer. Invest in your health, your performance, and your future. Control your controllables. Fuel like a champion. Build habits that last. 🎙️ Listen now and start winning your season before it begins. Join Wendi's elite student athlete program today! https://www.nutritionwithwendi.com/membership/ [https://www.nutritionwithwendi.com/membership/] Grab a copy of Wendi's 365-day devotional: https://a.co/d/00PIiA62 [https://a.co/d/00PIiA62] Contact Wendi for a team talk today! www.nutritionwithwendi.com

Episode 15: Youth Sports Done Right: Baseball Tips Every Sports Parent Needs to Hear -Zach Lutz

Former MLB player and founder of LutzGO, Zach Lutz, joins The Wendi Irlbeck Show to discuss what it takes to help young athletes thrive in today's youth sports environment. Drawing from his experience as a professional baseball player and youth coach, Zach shares his coaching philosophy and explains why fundamentals, character, mindset, and long-term athlete development should take priority over hype, pressure, and early specialization. Together, we explore the current state of youth sports, the challenges facing families, and practical strategies parents and coaches can use to create healthier, more positive experiences for young athletes. In this episode, you'll learn how to maximize summer training, navigate parental expectations, build resilience through adversity, and help athletes improve while preserving the joy and love of the game. Zach also discusses the importance of finding the right coach, fostering confidence, and using sports as a platform to develop leadership, faith, and character. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this conversation is packed with valuable insights that can help young athletes succeed both on and off the field. Topics Covered: ⚾ Zach Lutz's coaching philosophy ⚾ The current landscape of youth baseball and youth sports ⚾ Why fundamentals still matter ⚾ Summer training strategies for young athletes ⚾ Managing parental pressure and expectations ⚾ Building mental toughness and resilience ⚾ Creating healthy environments for athlete development ⚾ Finding the right coach for your child ⚾ Encouraging joy and passion in sports ⚾ Non-negotiables for success in sports and life Memorable Takeaways: • Focus on fundamentals, not gear or hype. • Baseball is 90% mental, not just physical. • Hustle and attitude are key to success. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a parent, coach, or athlete who could benefit from this conversation. Follow Zach Lutz on LinkedIn! Connect with Wendi for baseball fueling tips and resources on optimizing strength, performance and recovery! www.nutritionwithwendi.com

Episode 14: Rest, Recovery & Why Athletes Need Better Nutrition — Not More Summer Tournaments

In this episode, we’re tackling a critical message as summer heats up: Athletes need more rest, recovery, and better nutrition — NOT more showcases, tournaments, and year-round specialized training.We also dive deep into why obedience matters and how it sharpens our faith, pulling powerful lessons from the Book of Acts and the transformation of Saul to Paul.What We Cover: * Why youth sports is on life support: 70% of kids drop out by age 13, burnout rates, and the dangers of early specialization * The real damage constant travel ball and summer tournaments are causing young athletes * Why summer is the perfect time for rest, recovery, and smart muscle-building instead of more games and showcases * Tactical post-workout nutrition: What to eat in the 30–60 minute recovery window + real food examples * Daily habits of elite athletes: Sleep (9–11 hours for youth), hydration, protein timing, two breakfasts on training days, and more * The powerful link between physical obedience (resting and fueling properly) and spiritual obedience The Power of Obedience (Acts 9)We explore Saul’s dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus and how his obedience to God turned him into the Apostle Paul. True transformation happens when we surrender and obey — even when it means saying “no” to another tournament so we can honor the body God gave us.Obedience is stewardship. It’s worship. And it leads to long-term fruit in sports, faith, and life.Key Takeaways: * Let kids be kids — more play, less pressure * Recovery is where real athletic progress happens * Proper nutrition and rest beat fancy gear and extra games * Obeying God’s design for our bodies sharpens our faith Parents: Prioritize recovery, family time, and long-term development over another tournament. Athletes: Control your controllables — fuel, sleep, hydrate, and obey. Download my free Athlete Fueling Checklist at nutritionwithwendi.com [http://nutritionwithwendi.com] Join the Elite Athlete Membership for personalized plans and support. 🔗 CONNECT WITH WENDI Follow along for nutrition education, athlete fueling, faith-based encouragement, and leadership insight: Instagram (Primary): @nutrition_with_wendi and @devotions_with_wendi X (formerly Twitter): @Wendi_Irlbeck Facebook: Nutrition with Wendi LinkedIn: Wendi Irlbeck, MS, RDN, LD, CISSN 🌐 WEBSITES, BOOK & RESOURCES *Nutrition, Programs & Speaking: *👉https://www.nutritionwithwendi.com [https://www.nutritionwithwendi.com]*Faith & Devotionals: *👉https://www.devotionswithwendi.com [https://www.devotionswithwendi.com] Support the ministry! Wendi-Irlbeck on Venmo 🙏 STAY CONNECTED If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you think differently about your health and faith: * Subscribe to the show * Leave a review * Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today

Episode 13: Nutrition Strategies for Student Athletes

800 Pounds of Muscle in 14 Weeks: The Nutrition Strategy Behind Tennessee Football What does it really take to build muscle, fuel performance, and prepare athletes for the next level? In this episode, we sit down with sports dietitian Katie O’Connor to break down the nutrition strategy behind one of the most talked-about transformations in college football. From the reality behind rapid muscle gain to the daily habits that drive long-term performance, this conversation delivers practical, actionable insight for athletes, coaches, and parents. We go beyond the highlight numbers and dig into what actually matters—how athletes are fueling, where most go wrong, and what it takes to consistently develop strength, size, and resilience. In this episode, we cover: * What a sports dietitian’s role really looks like inside a high-performance program * The most common mistakes athletes make when trying to gain muscle * Why many athletes struggle to see results despite training hard * What a properly fueled day actually looks like * How nutrition and strength & conditioning work together to drive development * Simple, budget-friendly strategies families can implement immediately * Key habits that separate athletes who succeed at the next level from those who don’t * 2–3 non-negotiables every athlete must commit to for muscle gain and performance Whether you’re a high school coach trying to better support your athletes, a parent navigating how to fuel performance at home, or an athlete chasing the next level—this episode gives you a clear, no-fluff roadmap to doing it right. Each 30-minute episode blends faith, fitness, nutrition, leadership, and real-life application, equipping you with tools you can actually use—without overwhelm 🔗 CONNECT WITH WENDI Follow along for nutrition education, athlete fueling, faith-based encouragement, and leadership insight: Instagram (Primary): @nutrition_with_wendi and @devotions_with_wendi X (formerly Twitter): @Wendi_Irlbeck Facebook: Nutrition with Wendi LinkedIn: Wendi Irlbeck, MS, RDN, LD, CISSN 🌐 WEBSITES, BOOK & RESOURCES *Athlete meal plans, health and performance nutrition resources, and to connect on a team talk *👉https://www.nutritionwithwendi.com [https://www.nutritionwithwendi.com]*Faith & Devotionals: *👉https://www.devotionswithwendi.com [https://www.devotionswithwendi.com] Support the ministry! Wendi-Irlbeck on Venmo 🙏 STAY CONNECTED If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you think differently about your health and faith: * Subscribe to the show * Leave a review * Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today