Dear Coach,
I’m sure you get asked some sort of nutrition question everyday from parents and the kids you train.
You already know that training and nutrition go hand-and-hand and when used together they lead to exponentially greater results than just training alone.
Exercise alone just doesn’t work as well. Proper nutrition is crucial to improved health and performance. I know I am not telling you anything new but I have to bring it up because most coaches and trainers just do not share any nutrition information with their kids they coach.
Here’s the problem:
Coaches and Trainers are getting asked for nutrition advice daily and they know that their clients will get
better results if they combine nutrition with their training program BUT they just are not providing the nutrition
information.
If you can get better results, a lot faster with nutrition as part of your program, then why isn’t’ it a part of
everyone’s training plan?
Well, here are the 3 common reasons (excuses) we hear all the time.
Have you ever asked your athletes what they eat each day?
Don’t worry. Here’s the answer:
Crap.
With all the things you have to worry about during your average day and/or practice, taking on the eating
habits of teenagers may seem like an overwhelming addition to your already overscheduled day.
I’m betting you can relate.
But when you step back and think about it, it’s actually worse to ignore it.
Leaving them on their own just means they’re not going to eat breakfast (or they consider coffee a suitable
breakfast), not going to drink enough water, eat whatever junk they serve for school lunch and then show up
for practice hungry, tired and emotionally fried.
So is it reasonable to expect them to run tough workouts? Pay attention to another adult blabbering at them
about some topic they’re only partially interested in? Execute highly technical movements?
Sadly, no.
As much as we’d both love to live in a world where if you ignore something, it magically goes away, we can’t ignore our athletes’ terrible nutrition.
Because we put too much time into planning practices and setting standards of excellence to let something
fundamental like our athletes’ fuel source just get swept under the rug.
.
I used to think nutrition was complicated. So I ignored it and hoped it would go away. It didn’t.
Turns out, if you focus on just a handful of basic concepts, your athletes will show up to practice with a lot
more energy and your time will be much more productive.
Saying you don’t have enough ‘time’ is a copout.
This is a common misconception.
As a certified coach or trainer, you are allowed to provide general nutrition guidance—especially when it supports athletic performance, recovery, and overall well-being. In fact, it’s an essential part of helping young athletes reach their full potential.
Of course, just like with injuries or medical conditions, you’ll refer out when an issue is beyond your expertise. If an athlete has a medical diagnosis, food allergy, or condition requiring clinical nutrition care, that’s when a registered dietitian or physician should step in.
But providing clear, age-appropriate, science-backed nutrition recommendations? That’s not outside your scope—that’s part of being a well-rounded coach.
The Youth Nutrition Specialist certification helps you understand exactly what you can say, how to say it responsibly, and when to refer out—so you can coach with confidence and stay within your professional lane.
Nutrition can be confusing.
Good carbs? Bad carbs?
How much water?
How often should athletes eat?
How many calories?
Is breakfast really that important?
How much protein should I take a day?
How to cut weight safely?
How to gain ‘healthy’ weight?
Is creatine safe for me to take?
Should I take protein supplements
What is the best post – workout meal to have?
When it comes to workout or practice planning and implementation or motivation, you probably feel very confident.
When it comes to telling athletes what to put in their bodies, well, you don’t want to make any mistakes. But if you don’t address nutrition with your athletes and clients then you are hurting them.
It’s simple. Straightforward. Easy to understand.
You and your clients put a lot of time into training, you need to get their nutrition under control if you want to see continued results.
The IYCA has created the Youth Nutrition Specialist Certification to teach all coaches and trainers that work with today’s youth a comprehensive and practical nutrition education system The
The IYCA Youth Nutrition Specialist Certification is the ONLY certification of it’s kind in the industry today covering specific aspects of nutrition for youth fitness participants and young athletes. And it was created by one of the best nutritionists in the world.
Dr. Chris Mohr is simply one of the very best in the world. He has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Nutrition from the Pennsylvania State University and University of Massachusetts, respectively. He earned his PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Pittsburgh and is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics.
He is a consulting Sports Nutritionist for the Cincinnati Bengals and is also the Sports Nutritionist for Under Armour’s TNP Training Council. Through his company Mohr Results, Inc., he works with all types of individuals from youth to professional athletes.
Dr. Mohr is a Nutrition Spokesperson and Consultant to a number of media outlets and corporations including –
Discovery Health Channel, The Dairy Council, Clif Bar, Nordic Naturals
He often appears on TV as a nutritional guest expert, including an appearance with Chef Emeril Lagasse
Dr. Mohr Was the nutrition expert for a book he worked on with LL Cool J called “LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout” and worked closely with Fitness Celebrity Denise Austin to create the entire nutrition component of her latest book.
He is on the Advisory Board for Men’s Fitness Magazine and has written over 500 articles for consumer publications, such as Men’s Fitness, Weight Watchers, Men’s Health and Fitness, to name a few.
An understanding of how to apply the basic fundamentals of nutrition to the clients or athletes you coach.
Scientifically sound nutrition strategies that when implemented will improve athletic performance.
How to reinforce effective nutrition with teaching tools to provide children and adolescents with a solid nutrition foundation.
How to identify and apply sound nutrition recommendations for macronutrient intakes among various clients.
The ability to recognize and implement science based nutrition strategies to help your athletes and clients.
The most current recommendations for nutrient intake – for macro and micro nutrients and fluids.
16 done for you nutrition handouts – from Power Fuel Snack Ideas to Hydration Charts and Nutrition for Tournament Play, and many more – all to make your already busy routine a little less stressful.
An understanding of scope of practice and when to refer out to other experts.
Essential nutritional aspects for both fat loss and performance.
Specific factors effecting nutritional needs of athletes
6 simple strategies to make informed decisions about dietary supplements.
And much, much more!
Nutrition is the limiting factor for many kids today and you need to be able to combine your training and conditioning knowledge with proper nutrition in order to get the most out of your clients. This certification will position you as the go to person to get results.
Plus we have included these top resources for you to strengthen your nutrition knowledge even more
The potential dangers of Energy Drinks – there are over SIX HUNDRED brands literally preying on false hopes and dreams of young athletes – – and your kids are drinking them!
The exact, science – based carbohydrate recommendations to guarantee more energy on and off the field!
The specific protein requirements to ensure optimal muscle growth and recovery
The truth behind the $16.8 billion dietary supplement industry… trust us, with over 29,000 dietary supplements available, you NEED this information to save your young athlete from falling prey to marketing hype!
Recovery strategies – – breakthrough recovery strategies that will take performance to the next level!
Guidance on safe, effective, and permanent weight loss
Precise, healthy, and LEGAL weight gain strategies guaranteed to pack on muscle and strength (for those who want it)
Exact food recommendations to meet the exact requirements for developing athletes
The top 12 fruits and vegetables to buy organic – they are otherwise highest in pesticides, so you need to protect you and your young athletes!
Specific nutrient timing strategies teaching you when and what to eat before and during games.
The best times to consume sports drinks and when they’re nothing more than extra calories –this information can make or break performance
THE #1 secret to grocery shopping that will make or break your efforts…few people know this!
How to avoid tricks that marketers use to make you hungrier to buy their food, even if it’s not what you want to buy (Hint: fast food companies do the same thing);
How to read a food label, keying in on ingredients that will enhance your body transformation…and others that can sabotage your goals;
How “healthy” salad bars can backfire and cause weight gain!
The truth about organic foods – are they all that they are cracked up to be?
Learn all the top secrets to lose weight and get the permanent results you earned with “Is Your Kitchen Making You Fat: Lean Secrets from Behind Cupboard Doors”
One simple strategy that can slash your calorie intake by 22%
A common kitchen item that can bring your fat loss to a screeching halt
How deceptive food labels can sabotage your goals – unless you know this strategy
What incredibly healthy food could actually slow your results without knowing our trick
How a common product that costs < $0.10 can help you reach your goals
How an everyday product used for cleaning can reduce your calories
Is Supplementation necessary?
How many Grams do young athletes truly need to gain muscle?
What are the very best sources of Dietary Protein?
Is Food Combining necessary for Optimal Absorption
The easy 2 – Step Method of dropping weight classes for sport
The Psychological & Emotional realities of cutting weight
How to GAIN weight properly and safely for young athletes
How the WRONG decision can change your athletic performance indefinitely
Over 200 questions were submitted to Dr. Chris Mohr regarding Nutrition & Young Athletes.
So… He answered them all!
This groundbreaking and complete audio + written report package will give you unbelievable insight and knowledge about how to handle the nutrition questions you field daily from your young athletes!
Here is where the IYCA separates itself from all of the other certification companies.
Besides being the best youth nutrition certification available, we understand that it takes more than scientific knowledge to grow your business and get more clients.
In order to help more people with your nutrition information, you
Here is how to use your Sports Nutrition as a Profit Center
IYCA Executive Director Julie Hatfield-Still, will show you options so you can better serve your athletes, separate yourself from your competition and create other revenue sources once you become a Youth Nutrition Specialist
You will receive:
A complete understanding of how you can profit though addressing nutrition with your clients and athletes.
A blueprint of a proven, profitable 6 Week Sports Nutrition Coaching Course.
Done-For-You Emails and Materials to market your Nutrition Coaching Course.
Here’s the bottom line:
It is very important for us at the IYCA to make sure that the coaches impacting the lives of young people can all benefit from this knowledge and have the ability to impart it on their athletes.
So if you want a proven system for nutrition that is SAFE, EFFECTIVE, MYTH-PROOF & GUARANTEED TO WORK, then you NEED to become an IYCA Youth Nutrition Specialist.
If you’re a coach – this Certification will give you the knowledge to make sure your young athletes are fueling correctly and optimizing their chance of winning.
If you’re a fitness professional – this Certification will empower you to deliver the one missing piece to the whole fitness and sport training issue… Quality and Reliable Nutrition Advice
This Certification isn’t just theory – it’s practical nutrition information that has been applied to athletes from Elementary School to Olympic level athletes
There is no other credential like this available today.
As usual, the IYCA is the BEST CHOICE POSSIBLE for all things related to Youth Fitness & Sport Training. That is our SPECIALTY and it’s ALL we do.
This is an amazing opportunity for you to:
Dramatically increase your nutrition knowledge
Help your clients get better results… faster
Enhance your value as a coach/trainer
Add additional profit centers and revenue streams to your business
Become the One-Stop Shop and Go-To Trainer for improving performance
When you register & enroll for the YNS certification, you will immediately receive an email with login information for your personal IYCA account. Once you login to your IYCA account, you will have immediate access to the YNS materials and exam, and step-by-step instructions will be given on how to successfully complete the course.
Typically, 3-4 weeks upon beginning studying is average. If you have completed other IYCA programs, you can likely complete the program more quickly. When you enroll, you will also be given access to take your exam online. There are no additional fees to take your test. You have 365 days following your enrollment in the YNS program before you must test. You are given one attempt to pass the test. You will have 2 hours to take the test. If you do not pass the exam you can purchase a retest for $50.
After you successfully pass your test, we can register you in our global database as a YNS.
Yes. You must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. About 20% of the exam is based on scientific information that our industry analysis determined is vital to developing athletes and should be understood by high-quality coaches.
IYCA professionals come from all corners of the World. With the online learning platform, it’s easier than ever before to study for and earn an IYCA Credential. You can study at your own pace and complete the exam no matter where you reside. The only consideration is that all materials are in English.
The IYCA Youth Nutrition Specialist Certification will give you both the foundation you need to feel confident addressing nutrition with your young athletes and the advanced knowledge to tackle almost any nutrition related topic that you’ll encounter as a trainer or coach.
No. In fact, not addressing nutrition with your athletes is being negligent as a trusted professional. Dr. Mohr provides clear insight into what falls within your scope of practice as a professional in the certification materials so you know exactly how you can best serve your athletes.
Two key reasons: First – the IYCA Youth Nutrition Specialist Certification provides you with the credibility that comes with having the premier credential in the field specific to youth nutrition. While anyone can say ‘they know nutrition’, you have the credential to prove it.
Second – the IYCA Youth Nutrition Specialist Certification package addresses virtually every facet of nutrition as it would relate to your career or business. Whether you’re interested in preventing youth obesity, improving sports performance, navigating the world of dietary supplements or integrating a nutrition based profit center into your business, the IYCA Youth Nutrition Specialist Certification addresses it with world class information.
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