My Next Gen course has been two years in the making, so Iâm hugely excited to share it with you today. If youâve not already signed up, you can do so here! Iâd also like to share my motivation behind creating this course and give you some insights into some of the content and topics covered.
Next Gen is a course thatâs designed to help you understand the changes that happen for girls throughout puberty so you can better support them. It is perfect for parents (especially dads), coaches, trainers, teachers, health professionals, and anyone who works with and supports active girls and young women.
If youâve been following me for a while you might have noticed that, as an academic, my research interests often mirror the phase of life Iâm going through. When I was a competitive athlete I wanted to better understand how our unique female physiology impacts training and performance; itâs what led to ROAR and Women Are Not Small Men. Later, I wanted to shine a light on perimenopause and menopause; itâs what led to Next Level and Menopause 2.0. Now, as a mom to an almost-teenage daughter, the scientist and parent in me has wanted to have a deeper understanding of what happens to girls during pubertyâand then to educate and empower those who work with and support them.
It Starts With Us
I want to do all I can to build body positivity for young girls and teenagers, to squash the diet culture and the toxic sports environments that some (most!) of us who grew up in the â80s and â90s likely experienced as young girls and women. Doing this starts with building education and awareness; it starts with usâthe parents, coaches, and teachers who work with young girls. Through the Next Gen course, I can help you build the education and awareness we need to help keep active girls enjoying the sports they love. You can learn more about my perspective in this short video:
|
About the Course
The course involves five modules, which cover:
-
The physiological and psychological changes that occur during puberty, focusing on the impact on health and athletic performance, injury risks, hormonal effects, early sports specialization, and strategies for effective support.
-
Hormonal considerations, such as the menstrual cycle, tracking methods, and contraceptive options.
-
Nutrition for athletic teenage girls, emphasizing energy needs, macronutrients, body image, nutrient timing, and holistic health support.
-
Coaching considerations, which addresses puberty-related challenges in active teenage girls, emphasizing inclusive coaching, body positivity, mental resilience, tailored training, and open discussions on menstrual health and overall well-being.
-
There are also case studies, which cover a wide range of sports from swimming and running to soccer, weightlifting, and basketball.
In total, the course is designed to take about 15 hours to complete, and you can work through it at your own pace as many times as you wish. Thereâs a downloadable 220-page workbook, worksheets, interactive learning activities, and an optional exam at the end.
Learn and Share
If youâre keen to learn more and help educate the Next Gen then please join me on this journey. If you donât have any active girls in your life, please consider sharing this with family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors who might be able to positively impact other young girls.
Take care and be well,
Forwarded this email? Join my newsletter community here!
