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Fuel to Perform: Sports Nutrition & Hydration Workshops

This season, West Ottawa Basketball is excited to announce a new partnership with Michelle Balon of Highlands Regenerative Health to bring a series of sports nutrition and hydration workshops to our athletes, parents, and coaches. These workshops are funded by West Ottawa Basketball and are free to all registered players and their families.
They are designed to give our young athletes—from ages 6 to 18—the gender-specific knowledge and habits they need to fuel their bodies, stay healthy, and perform at their best all season long.​​​​​​​

About Michelle Balon

Michelle Balon is a Functional Medicine Practitioner and Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience in acute care, public health, and family medicine. She specializes in personalized health strategies that use DNA testing, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine to help individuals—especially young athletes—optimize performance and recovery.
A former Medical Director for the National Capital Marathon, Michelle has also volunteered as a trainer in youth sports and is a proud parent of high-level athletes. She brings a deep understanding of how diet and lifestyle affect both male and female athletes differently and is passionate about helping youth thrive on and off the court. Michelle also works with professional and elite amateur athletes on nutrition and lifestyle strategies to optimize performance.

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upcoming clinics

Foundations of Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes (Co-Ed, Ages 6-9)
Sunday, November 9th, 9:00 - 10:15 AM
South Carleton High School

This fun and interactive workshop is designed to create a positive, engaging environment where young athletes and their parents can learn the basics of sports nutrition together.
Families will explore the foundational nutrition needs of growing children, learn how to distinguish between whole and processed foods, and discover simple, practical strategies to support healthy eating at home and on the go. The goal is to help kids build strong, capable bodies—and for parents to leave with tools that make healthy fueling easier, even with busy schedules.

WHAT KIDS AND PARENTS WILL EXPERIENCE:

  • Interactive kick-off activity: “What did you eat yesterday?” — a fun way for kids to reflect on their choices and get involved from the start.
  • Building an athlete: Michelle will use a LEGO analogy to explain how nutrition builds strong, healthy bodies ready for sport and growth.
  • The role of treats and sugar: Can you “exercise it off”? Is sugar really that harmful? A clear, age-appropriate discussion about moderation and healthy choices.
  • Simple fueling strategies for busy families, including realistic tips for snacks, meals, and on-the-go options that support active kids.
  • Segmented plate hands-on activity to help kids categorize foods, understand the best order of eating, and learn why it matters for energy and focus.
This is the perfect workshop for young athletes and parents to learn, laugh, and build strong habits together! These early years are a powerful time to build healthy habits that will shape how young athletes eat, play, and grow for years to come. By making nutrition fun, practical, and family-focused, we can help kids feel energized and confident—both on and off the court.

REGISTER HERE