Optimizing Long-term Athletic Development with Robert Yang
Release Date: 08/13/2025
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info_outlineRobert Yang is a leading expert in digestive wellness, hormone restoration, and performance nutrition with over 27 years of clinical experience. He is an internationally sought-after presenter on a variety of topics on nutrition, gut health, and performance enhancement. He serves as an advisory board member for Titleist Performance Institute, the National Pitching Association, and the USDA's US National Development Program, where he's also the team nutritionist. He consults with elite professional athletes from the XGames, NFL, NHL, MLB, AVP, PGA, LPGA, and European Tour. In this episode of Conversations for Health, we examine the intersection of sports performance and functional nutrition, focusing on both elite and developing athletes. If you work with kids and their parents, you will find this conversation exceptionally valuable. Robert generously shares clinical pearls, information about the labs that he uses with athletes, pre- and post-workout nutrition, traumatic brain injuries, and much more, including the big picture that parents, coaches, and healthcare practitioners need to understand about long-term athletic development for youth athletes.
I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht. Thank you for designing a well world with us.
Episode Resources:
Robert Yang: robertyang.net
Design for Health Resources:
Designs for Health - https://www.designsforhealth.com/
Designs for Health Practitioner Exclusive Drug Nutrient Depletion and Interaction Checker - https://www.designsforhealth.com/drug-nutrient-interaction/
Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library, which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.
https://www.designsforhealth.com/research-and-education/education
The Designs for Health Podcast is produced in partnership with Podfly Productions.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro.
02:49 Robert Yang’s career focuses on sports and performance nutrition and working with elite associations and athletes.
05:54 Key points of long-term athletic development and training for youth.
10:15 Training youth athletes fast throughout growth spurts.
18:07 A foundation of hydration and sodium in training athletes.
24:00 Protein recommendations during training and growth spurts.
29:24 Protein, fat, and fiber for blood sugar control.
30:34 Athletes, GI issues, leaky gut, and inflammation markers.
34:54 Dr. Yang’s approach to anti-inflammatories, NSAIDs, and nutrients.
38:33 Lab panels for iron deficiencies and excess storage iron.
41:28 Creatine, amino acid, and other preferred supplements for pre- and post-workout.
49:02 Robert’s nutrition strategy and views on intermittent fasting.
56:39 Intra-workout strategies for aging and average patients.
59:25 Post-workout carbohydrates and protein ratio recommendations.
1:04:30 Adaptogens, essential fatty acids, fish oil, and Omega-3 index numbers.
1:10:40 Nutrient recommendations for addressing traumatic brain injuries.
1:17:49 Robert’s favorite supplements, favorite health practices, and his changed view on intermittent fasting.