In this episode of the IRH Clinician's Corner, host Margaret Floyd Barry welcomes special guest Devin Delaney—a faculty member at the Institute of Restorative Health, former NCAA All-American and professional ski racer, and expert in working with high-performance women and athletes. We explore the unique clinical complexities of working with athlete clients, including the all-too-common normalization of discomfort, metabolic masking, and the misconceptions around performance and health.

In this interview, we discuss:

• The normalization of symptoms in athletes and clinicians
• Clinical challenges in working with athletes
• Key areas for supporting athletes (e.g., blood sugar, gut health, inflammation & recovery)
• Clinical processes for working with athlete clients
• Supporting behavior change and motivation in athletes
• Mindset, joy, and the "why" behind athletics

To read Devin's blog article "Five Clinical Considerations When Working with Athletes," click here: https://instituteofrestorativehealth.com/five-clinical-considerations-when-working-with-athletes/ For access to Devin's "Clinical Starting Point for Athletes" Handout, click here:

https://discover.instituteofrestorativehealth.com/athlete-clinical-starting-point-framework

The Clinician's Corner is brought to you by the Institute of Restorative Health.

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Connect with Devin Delaney:

Website: https://www.peakathleat.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/devinsdelaney/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-delaney-44a34777/

Timestamps:

00:00 "Devin: Nutrition for High-Performing Athletes"

03:40 Burnout and Pursuing Balance

07:09 Healing Through Nutrition and Teaching

10:50 "Understanding and Supporting Athlete Stressors"

14:08 "Metabolic Masking and Nuance"

19:10 "Fueling Lessons from Ultra Running"

22:14 Athlete Gut Health and Stress

25:45 Signs of Overtraining and Depletion

28:36 "Recovery Metrics and Training Adaptation"

32:09 "Master Clinical Health Strategies"

33:08 "Overcoming Plant-Based Diet Challenges"

36:30 Motivated Athletes Embrace Change

41:21 "Enhancing Health with Genetic Testing"

43:12 Optimizing Athletes' Health and Performance

47:04 "Resources for Supporting Athletes"

Speaker bio:

Devin Delaney is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and Master Restorative Health Practitioner (Master RHP) dedicated to helping high-achieving women finally get to the root of frustrating health issues like bloating, fatigue, hormone imbalance, and digestive distress—so they can ditch discomfort, beat burnout, and reclaim a body that feels energized, capable, and truly at Peak health.

Based in Teton Valley, Idaho, Devin founded Peak AthlEAT Nutrition—a thriving virtual practice that blends functional lab testing, whole-food nutrition, and deeply personalized care to restore health from the inside out. Her work is guided by a core belief: symptoms aren't just something to manage, but vital messengers pointing the way toward true healing.

Keywords:

functional health practitioners, clinical skills, chronic disease reversal, athlete clients, gut dysfunction, hormone imbalance, fatigue, functional nutrition, lab interpretation, Peak Athlete Nutrition, clinical strategy, digestive health, blood sugar regulation, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, HPA axis health, metabolic masking, symptom normalization, performance optimization, sports nutrition, overtraining, recovery metrics, lab testing, disordered eating, energy crashes, menstrual cycle issues, high-performance women, root cause analysis, sleep and recovery, individualized protocols

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are those of the individual speakers and interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC does not specifically endorse or approve of any of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. The information and opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any medical concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The Institute of Restorative Health, LLC is not liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the use of the information or opinions expressed in the IRH Clinician's Corner series. By viewing or listening to this information, you agree to hold the Institute of Restorative Health, LLC harmless from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with your participation. Thank you for your understanding.