full

full
Published on:

11th Jul 2025

Fueling Your Mental Edge: The Science of Sports Nutrition for Peak Performance with Collier Madaleno

Deep dive into the world of sports nutrition with Collier Madaleno, a renowned expert in athletic performance nutrition and the Sales and Service Executive at Red Card Athletics, a fueling and meal management platform designed specifically for college athletic departments and professional sports teams. From fueling strategies that sharpen mental focus to the latest trends in supplements, this conversation unpacks how proper nutrition can be a game-changer for athletes at all levels.

James Blasco is joined by Collier who, drawing from her experience as the former director of football performance nutrition at the University of Georgia, shares invaluable insights on how nutrition impacts both physical and mental performance. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or simply interested in optimizing your own nutrition, this episode offers practical strategies to fuel your body and mind for peak performance.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Introduction: Collier's impressive background in sports nutrition
  • (04:10) The crucial link between nutrition and mental performance
  • (06:06) Collier's process for onboarding and assessing new athletes
  • (11:00) Specific supplements and foods that boost mental performance
  • (17:34) Success story: Transforming an athlete's diet
  • (12:34) Cutting-edge trends in sports nutrition research
  • (19:11) Overcoming challenges in implementing nutrition programs
  • (20:54) Top nutrition tips for high school athletes
  • (22:49) Benefits of Red Card Athletics program

Key Takeaways:

  • Nutrition impacts both physical and mental performance: Balanced meals and proper hydration are crucial for focus and decision-making, especially for student athletes. Individualized nutrition plans are essential. What works for one athlete may not work for another.
  • Cooking Classes for Athletes: Teaching athletes to cook their own meals can be a game-changer, improving their relationship with food and nutrition while providing essential life skills. Changing athletes' mindsets about food as fuel (not just for taste) is a key challenge in sports nutrition.
  • Controlled Freedom in Athlete Nutrition: Innovative nutrition programs like Red Card Athletics offer athletes autonomy in food choices while maintaining dietitian oversight, balancing freedom with nutritional guidance. Simple habits like starting the day with a balanced breakfast can have a major impact on overall performance.
  • Creatine for Brain Health: Creatine isn't just for muscle gains - it's now recognized for improving brain function, concentration, and reducing inflammation. Consider adding this supplement to boost both physical and mental performance.

Resources & Links: 

Guest Bio: 

Collier Madaleno, is the former Director of Football Performance Nutrition at the University of Georgia. Collier is now a Sales and Service Executive at Red Card Athletics, a fueling and meal management platform designed specifically for college athletic departments and professional sports teams. Its goal is to streamline how athletes receive meals—especially during travel, training, or when traditional dining options aren’t practical.

Collier is a native of Athens, Georgia and was named Director of Football Performance Nutrition at Georgia in February of 2019. 

Collier came to Georgia after serving in a similar capacity at the University of Florida.  She was the Gators’ Coordinator of Sports Nutrition for two years, beginning in May of 2015, and was named Head of Sports Nutrition for the football program in April of 2017. 

Collier earned her B.S. degree in Human Environmental Sciences, Food and Nutrition from the University of Alabama in 2013.  She earned her Master’s degree in Dietetics from Georgia State University in 2014.

Collier has a number of familial ties to the University of Georgia.  Her father Lou Perno is a 1980 UGA graduate and was a student athletic trainer on the national championship football team.  Cousins Donn and David Perno played baseball at UGA,  the latter eventually serving as head coach from 2002-13.

Host Bio:

James Blasco is the founder of Charge Forward Coaching and a certified mental toughness and resilience coach and a certified neuroscience coach. He specializes in helping athletes and high performers sharpen their focus, build confidence, and stay composed under pressure. With clients ranging from youth athletes to seasoned pros, James is passionate about helping people show up strong—no matter the arena.

Tags:

James Blasco, Charge Forward Coaching, Sports nutrition, Collier Madaleno, Football Performance Nutrition, University of Georgia, UGA, Red Card Athletics, meal management, college athletes, athletic departments, professional sports teams, nutrition, nutrition for athletes, creatine, cooking classes, food for fuel, mental performance, athletic fueling, supplements for athletes, supplements for professional athletes, Performance Optimization, nutrition and mental performance, sports nutrition, balanced breakfast, hydration for athletes, omega-3 supplements, creatine for brain health, carbohydrates for concentration, B vitamins for energy, cherry juice for recovery, collagen supplements, athlete meal planning, post-workout nutrition, nutrition education for athletes, mental toughness in sports, performance nutrition, NCAA-approved meals, Red Card Athletics, off-campus dining programs, electrolyte replacement, antioxidants for athletes, protein intake for muscle gain, nutrition for football players, cooking skills for athletes, nutrition challenges in college sports, personalized nutrition plans

Transcript
James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

Narrator [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Collier Madaleno [:

James Blasco [:

Narrator [:
All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Charge Forward Coaching

About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

About your host

Profile picture for James Blasco

James Blasco