Most people assume athletics and healthy bodies are synonymous. But the truth is much more complicated. For researcher Traci Carson, sports were her world - from elementary school through college she excelled at soccer, track, football, and women's rowing. But a dark side of competition prompted her to get off the field and into a doctoral program for epidemiology to study the link between female athletes and eating disorders. Her story of recovery and research are the focus of today's episode — giving you the information needed to find balance in athletics.

For a male perspective on the connection between sports and body image, check out episodes 8 & 19 with former Seattle Seahawk Patrick Devenny, and former Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Marjama.

Discover more about Traci at mentalnotepodcast.com

Mental Note is sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers