Elevate Her Sport Experience
Welcome to Her Strength – a digital platform designed to Educate, Equip, and Empower those involved in youth female sports, specifically athletes aged 12-18. With a holistic approach, Her Strength combines expert insights and easy-to-implement strategies for coaches, parents, and others involved, giving them the knowledge and confidence to navigate these critical years and support young female athletes so they enjoy sport and therefore stay in sport for the long-term.
Origins
Her Strength was founded by Dr Julia Casadio, a sports physiologist and applied researcher, to tackle the unique challenges faced by young female athletes. Drawing from her extensive career in high-performance sport, Julia observed a recurring gap: many young female athletes enter competitive pathways with limited understanding of how their physiology, including the menstrual cycle, puberty, and proper nutrition, impacts their training and performance.
Julia’s mission stems also from personal experience. As a competitive cross-country skier in her teens, she struggled with performance plateaus and was given misguided advice to "lean up." This ultimately led to an eating disorder and an early exit from the sport she loved. Determined to change this narrative, Julia created Her Strength to equip coaches, parents, and others in youth female sport with the knowledge and tools to guide young athletes through the complexities of growth and development, enabling them to thrive in their sport.
Our Experts
Dr Julia Casadio
Her Strength Founder | Sports Physiologist | Applied Researcher
Dr Julia Casadio is a sport physiologist, performance consultant, and applied researcher with over 15-years of experience in high-performance sport, having worked with multiple medal-winning Olympians. Driven by her passion for female sport, she is committed to fostering positive change in the field. In founding Her Strength Julia merges her enthusiasm for teaching with her sport science expertise, emphasising a holistic approach to athlete support.
Dr Tanya Keogh
Sport Doctor | General Practitioner | Orthopaedic Surgeon Assistant
Dr Tanya Keough is our guest lecturer for Module 3: Young Female Athlete Health Considerations of the Her Strength Coach Course. Tanya has worked across various sports and has held the position of acting medical director for several teams, providing critical support and guidance in sport environments. In addition, she has expertise in orthopaedics, further enhancing her ability to address the unique health considerations of young female athletes.
Dr Sylvia Goedeke
Registered Dietitian | University Lecturer | Female Nutrition Specialist
Dr Sylvia Goedeke is a registered dietitian specialising in whole-food fuelling and women’s nutrition, holding a PhD focused on female dietary needs. As a university lecturer, she teaches sports and exercise nutrition, sharing her expertise with the next generation of health professionals. Additionally, she runs her own practice, where she has extensive experience working with young female athletes, helping them optimise their nutrition. Dr Goedeke's unique background and dedication to empowering females make her the perfect instructor for Module 4: Nutrition Optimisation of the Her Strength Coach Course.
Shaun Paterson
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Athlete Development Specialist | Lecturer & Applied Researcher
Shaun is a seasoned Strength & Conditioning Coach with over 20-years of experience, working with athletes ranging from youth competitors to Olympic champions, including numerous female athletes. Known for his expertise in enhancing athletic performance, he possesses extensive knowledge in athlete development and understands the critical components required at various stages of growth. As a co-instructor for Module 5: Training and Recovery Optimisation of the Her Strength Coach Course, Shaun provides video demos of strength exercises you can introduce into your athletes’ routines.
Rachel McLeod
Sports Psychologist | Adolescent Brain Development Specialist
Rachel McLeod holds a Master’s degree in adolescent brain development and has dedicated several years to working in sports with athletes ranging from youth to professionals. Notably, Rachel served as the team psychologist for the NZ Youth Olympic Team in 2024, one of many experiences that have equipped her with unique insights into the psychological needs of young female athletes. Her expertise makes her an ideal guide to help you understand the mental aspects of athletic development in Module 6: Psychological Considerations of the Her Strength Coach Course.
