Nutrition Coaching for Teen Athletes in Collierville
Nutrition coaching for teen athletes helps a growing athlete eat in a way that supports their training. Good coaching is practical rather than restrictive, built around school, practice and what a teenager will actually eat. This guide explains how it works at The Performance Center in Collierville and what to look for in any program.
Key Takeaways
Training is only half of it. An athlete who trains hard and eats like they do not is leaving progress on the table.
Practical, not restrictive. The coaching is built around what a teenager will actually eat.
Built around a real week. School, practice and the rest of the schedule shape the plan.
Small habits that last. The aim is habits that hold up once the season ends.
Three simple steps. Start with what is happening now, change one thing at a time, then check in and adjust.
Precision Nutrition certified. The coaching at The Performance Center is led by certified coaches.
For families too. Adults who train here can use the same coaching.
Start by asking us a question. A coach gets back to you and asks what your athlete plays and what they want to work toward.
Why does nutrition matter for a young athlete who trains hard?
Training is only half of it. A growing athlete who trains hard and eats like they do not is leaving progress on the table.
At The Performance Center, athletes ages 7 to 18 start with a three-class on-ramp and build from there. You can read how that works in our guide to youth strength training. Nutrition coaching is the other half of the same idea.
What does practical nutrition coaching mean?
Practical means the advice fits into a real life. It does not mean a long list of rules. Our nutrition coaching is built around three things:
What a teenager will actually eat. A plan an athlete ignores does not help anyone.
A schedule with school and practice in it. Meals have to work on a school day and on a game day.
Habits that hold up once the season ends. The goal is a way of eating that lasts, not a short push.
How does nutrition coaching work at The Performance Center?
The process has three steps, and each one is small on purpose.
Start with what is happening now. No plan gets written before the coach understands the current week, the schedule and what actually gets eaten.
Change one thing at a time. Habits stick when they are small, so they are built in order rather than all at once.
Check in and adjust. Growth, season load and school all move, and the plan moves with them.
Who are the nutrition coaches?
The nutrition coaching at The Performance Center is Precision Nutrition certified. Garner Gowen is a Certified Personal Trainer and Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach who specializes in strength training and functional fitness. Jessie Pickett is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach and CrossFit Level 1 coach who has helped clients build strength, confidence and sustainable habits for the past four years. You can read about both on our nutrition coaching page and meet the whole staff on our team page.
What should you look for in any nutrition coaching for athletes?
Whichever program you choose, ask these questions:
Is the coach certified, and can you see their credentials?
Is the plan built around your athlete's real week, including school and practice?
Does it change as your athlete grows and as the season changes?
Does it focus on small habits rather than strict rules?
Does the coach understand the training your athlete already does?
Is there a clear way to check in and ask questions?
How does nutrition fit with the rest of the training?
Nutrition works best alongside coaching in the gym. Our guide to speed and agility training for kids explains how strength and speed fit together, and what to expect at your child's first class shows what the first sessions look like. Food supports all of it.
Which option fits your athlete?
If your athlete is just starting to train
Start with the on-ramp, then add nutrition coaching when the routine feels settled. You can read the details on our youth training page.
If your athlete wants more individual attention
1:1 personal training is built around one athlete. Some of our personal trainers also hold nutrition credentials, so the training and the food can be coached together.
If the whole family wants better habits
The nutrition coaching is also for the adults who train here. Our adult training is low-impact and scalable, and coaches adjust each movement to your level.
Frequently asked questions
What is nutrition coaching for athletes?
It is coaching that helps an athlete eat in a way that supports the training they already do. At The Performance Center it is Precision Nutrition certified, practical rather than restrictive, and built around the athlete's real week with school and practice in it.
Is it a strict diet or meal plan?
No. The coaching is practical rather than restrictive. It is built around what a teenager will actually eat, around a schedule with school and practice in it, and around habits that hold up once the season ends. No plan is written before the coach understands the current week, the schedule and what actually gets eaten.
Are the nutrition coaches certified?
Yes. The nutrition coaching at The Performance Center is Precision Nutrition certified. Garner Gowen is a Certified Personal Trainer and Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach, and Jessie Pickett is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach and CrossFit Level 1 coach.
Can parents and other adults use it too?
Yes. The nutrition coaching is for athletes and for the adults who train at The Performance Center too. For adults, the same coaching applies to sustainable habits that fit real life rather than a six-week plan nobody keeps.
How do we get started?
Send us a question from the contact page. A coach gets back to you and asks what your athlete plays, what they want to work toward and what has not worked before, then tells you honestly whether The Performance Center is the right fit.
About The Performance Center
The Performance Center is a private training space at 632 W Poplar Ave in Collierville, Tennessee, for athletes ages 7 to 18, serving families in Germantown, Bartlett and Arlington. We share our building with Pittman Physical Therapy. You can read our FAQ page before you commit. Send us a question and a coach will get back to you and ask what your athlete plays, what they want to work toward and what has not worked before.
