Why Young Athletes Are Breaking Down Faster Than Ever With Andy Taylor

Decoding Health

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What happens when an elite athlete’s identity is built on performance—then an injury takes it all away? In this powerful episode of Decoding Health, Dr. Urban sits down with former Manchester United footballer turned Strength & Conditioning expert Dr. Andy Taylor to unpack the real cost of high-performance culture—and how metabolic health, nutrition, and self-awareness can mean the difference between longevity and breakdown.

Andy shares his journey from rising star at one of the world’s biggest football clubs… to a career-ending knee injury at just 19. But instead of stopping there, he rebuilt—from the inside out. Now, he’s one of the few practitioners in the UK using real-time insulin response testing (Craft Test) to help athletes and everyday individuals understand their metabolic health before disease develops.

We go deep on:

• Identity loss after sport

• Metabolic dysfunction in former athletes

• How high-glucose diets accelerate joint damage and inflammation

• Why youth athletes are more at risk than ever

• The shocking link between school food quality and behavioral breakdown

• How to fuel a growing, high-performing body the right way

If you care about performance, health, or raising healthy kids in today’s food environment… this episode may change how you view nutrition forever.

Andy holds a First-Class Honours degree in Strength & Conditioning from the University of Plymouth St Mark & St John and a Foundation Degree in Sports Performance from the University of Bath. He is an accredited UKSCA coach, a British Weightlifting Instructor for Sport, and holds a KBT Level 2 Strength & Conditioning certification. Andy has extensive experience in programme periodization, performance analysis, and nutritional guidance, with a particular passion for youth athletic development.

Before coaching, Andy spent nearly a decade as a professional footballer. He began his career with Manchester United, signing professionally in 2000 before a severe injury led to his departure in 2002. Following a year of intensive rehabilitation, he returned to full-time play, joining his hometown club Exeter City in 2003, where he contributed to notable FA Cup matches and the club’s return to the Football League.

Andy’s personal journey through elite performance and injury recovery fuels his commitment to effective strength and conditioning that enhances performance and reduces injury risk. In addition, he has completed professional training in LCHF/Ketogenic Nutrition and Nutritio

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