Audrey and Nicole Nourse are no strangers to athletic success. As VIS Athletes and players on the USC Beach Volleyball team where they earned 4 NCAA titles, they know what it takes to maximize their potential on the court. Their fueling journey has been one of discovery, growth, and a passion for fueling their bodies in the most optimal way possible.

The Nourse twins have encountered their fair share of obstacles when it came to their nutrition. Like many women athletes, they have had to deal with the pressures of balancing strength and athleticism with societal expectations of femininity and appearance. Throughout their time as athletes, they have learned to find empowerment in embracing their strength and fueling their bodies for peak performance.

“Our journey has had many ups and downs,” the twins say. “There was a point where we had issues in balancing staying really strong for our sport but also wanting to ‘look good’ as women. I think a lot of women athletes struggle with this at least once throughout their athletic careers.”

The Nourse Twin’s Protein Pasta

As self-proclaimed foodies, the twins wanted to combine their love for cooking with their passion for performance. So, their signature protein pasta dish was born—a combo of pasta and vegetables that serves as the perfect pre-game fuel. "Creating the pasta recipe was a natural progression for us," they explain. "Pasta is a great source of carbohydrates before game days, but we wanted to find a way to incorporate vegetables into the dish without sacrificing taste."

In terms of when they like to eat their protein pasta, the twins have a strategic approach. "We like to enjoy it before big games, conditioning days, or after grueling practice sessions mid-week,” they say. It's a habit that fuels their bodies and primes them for success on the court.

“Our journey has had many ups and downs. There was a point where we had issues in balancing staying really strong for our sport but also wanting to 'look good' as women.”

Audrey and Nicole Nourse, VIS Athletes and 4x NCAA beach volleyball champions at USC

Green Pasta Recipe

1. Prepare 2 cups of pasta of your choice

2. Combine the following ingredients in a blender:

   • 2 cups boiled spinach

   • 2 cups boiled kales

   • 2 tbsp roasted pine nuts

   • Half an avocado

   • ¼ cup cottage cheese

   • 1 tsp olive oil

   • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

   • A sprinkle of salt and pepper

   • A sprinkle of garlic salt 

3. Mix the sauce over a pan with pasta and a small amount of pasta water

4. Feel free to add protein of your choice as a topping 

Note: Add whatever desired vegetables into the sauce to customize and create a variety of different flavor options.

The Nourse twins' journey is a testament to the impact of nutrition on athletic performance. Through their approach to fueling their bodies, they've found new levels of strength, resilience, and joy in their sport.