Para Sports Nutrition

Dr Chris Irwin is an accredited dietitian, lecturer and researcher at Griffith University on the Gold Coast of Australia. Chris talks to us about alcohol, what it does and how it may impact athletes, providing some sound advice about the appropriate consumption of alcohol.

Chris Murphy is a 2 time Paralympic cyclist (C5 category) with Erb's Palsy. Chris talks to us about his transition from being a professional musician to Para cyclist and the process he's going through to specialise in the 1km time trial on the velodrome.

Jim Murdock has been the athletic trainer and medical coordinator for Team USA wheelchair rugby for nearly 20 years. Jim talks to us about the sport of wheelchair rugby, the work that he does as athletic trainer and medical coordinator, and what he's learn about working with para athletes.

Ryan Pinney is a hand cyclist and medalist in the handcycle relay at the Tokyo Paralympics. Ryan talks to us about his spinal cord injury, how he got into para cycling, his training and nutrition, and his recent shoulder injury and how he managed his recovery.

Rusty (Russell) Schieber is the national wheelchair curling coach for Team USA. Rusty tells us all about wheelchair curling and the things he's learnt as a coach over the past 14 years.

Matt Levy, OAM, is a recently retired 5 time Paralympic swimmer, medalist and author with both cerebral palsy and a vision impairment. Matt talks to us about his swimming, training, nutrition and how he balanced this with schooling, university and work over his 20 year career.

Bobbi Kelly was the guide for Mel Perrine (para alpine skier, E51) for 4 years leading in to the Beijing Winter Paralympics. Bobbi explains her background, the role of a guide, and the work she did with Mel to create a strong partnership.

Hailey Danz is a dual silver Paralympic medalist in Para Triathlon. Hailey, who is an above knee amputee, talks to us about the changes she made in her bike setup and running prosthesis between Rio and Tokyo Paralympic games, as well as her training and nutrition.

Mike Durner has been a Team USA Para Cycling coach for over 12 years. Mike talks to us about what the sport of para cycling is, the different disciplines and bikes, the changes he's seen over time in the sport and the various aspects his coaching role requires of him.

Melissa Perrine is a 4 time Paralympic alpine skier with a vision impairment. Mel is a multiple medalist at Paralympic games and world championships. We talk to Mel about her vision impairment, and how she juggled training with her university studies which have lead to hear qualification as a Physiotherapist. Mel also discusses her experience with changing epilepsy medication and the impact that h...

Dr Amber Donaldson is a sports physiotherapist (physical therapist), Vice President of Sports Medicine at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and has been the medical director for Team USA at numerous summer and winter Paralympic Games. Amber tells us about common health and injury issues she manages with Para athletes both in their daily training environment as well as at major competitions...

Dr Daniel Owens is an exercise physiologist and researcher at Liverpool John Moores University who has undertaken numerous research projects looking at Vitamin D and athletes. Dan talks to us about what Vitamin D is, why it's important for athletes, where we get it from and what's considered to be enough.

Steven Lovelace is one of the first documented athletes with a physical impairment to compete in Triathlons in the USA, starting in the mid 1980's. Steven talks to us about his experience in the early days of triathlon before Para Triathlon itself was a recognised discipline, and his experiences throughout his years of competing in sport.

Stephanie Wheeler is the womens wheelchair basketball coach at the University of Illinois, and was the head women's national team coach when the USA women's team won gold at the Rio Paralympic games. Stephanie explains wheelchair basketball to us, about her journey as an athlete then coach, and about the physical and nutrition demands of the sport.

Kathryn (Kat) Ross is a 4 time paralympic rower and silver medalist. Kat talks to us about her impairment, her career as a para rower, and how she juggles her training with her work as a full time emergency department nurse.

Kendall Gretsch is both a Para triathlete and nordic skier who has won multiple medals at both summer and winter paralympic games. Kendall talks to us about her impairment of spina bifida, and how she balances the demands of two different sports the see her training and competing all year around.

Professor Claudia Juzwiak is a sports nutritionist, educator and researcher at the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo who has worked with the Para Track & Field athletes in Brazil. Claudia talks to us about low energy availability and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) - how to assess it, its impact on athletes and potential causes. 

Carol Cooke, AM, is a 3 time Paralympic cyclist, multiple world champion and Paralympic medalist. Carol has multiple sclerosis and competes on a trike. Carol talks to us about her history as an athlete, how her sport has changed over the years, and what her training and nutrition looks like.

Sam Gardner is the senior Strength & Conditioning coach for U.S. Paralympics at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Sam talks to us about his journey as an S&C coach, how he works with para athletes, and the lessons he's learnt along the way.

Alois Rosario is the head Para Table Tennis coach for Australia. Alois explains what Para Table Tennis is, the physical demands of the sport, and how to get involved as a coach.

In this special episode, the PSN podcast host, Dr Liz Broad, is interviewed by Dr Laurent Bannock for his "We Do Science" podcast. Laurent agreed in advance to allow the podcast to be shared on both platforms. Liz has been a sports dietitian for nearly 30 years and specialised in working with Para athletes for the last 12 years. She is the editor of the book "Sports Nutrition for Paralympic Athlet...

Daniel Michel is a 2 time Paralympic Boccia player who won bronze in Tokyo 2020 and has spinal muscular atrophy. Daniel talks to us about how he got into playing boccia and how he manages his training and nutrition.

Mike Jennings is a Para Snowboard coach with Team USA. Mike talks to us about his somewhat unusual journey into coaching Para Snowboard, the physical demands of the sport, and the common nutrition issues snowboarders face.

Eileen Carey is the High Performance Director of Para Nordic Ski for Team USA, and previously the head coach. The program won 16 medals in PyeongChang and 14 medals most recently in Beijing. Eileen talks to us about the sport of Para Nordic Ski (cross country and biathlon) and what she's learnt as a coach.

Cody Jung is a C4 Para Cyclist who has cerebral palsy, and who eats a vegan diet. Cody competed in the road cycling competition at the Tokyo Paralympics, placing 4th in the time trial and 16th in the road race. We talk to Cody about his impairment, his journey in para cycling, and his choice to eat a vegan diet.