"For so long, every conversation, every day, was like, 'what is your weight?'  So really like reinforcing confidence and performance all around the number on the scale."

Alexa Efraimson signed a professional running contract with Nike when she was just 17 years old. She hadn't gone through puberty yet, and while did shortly after that, her cycles were "super inconsistent" for the next six+ years. She navigated challenges with weight, body image, and fueling for performance. She got a college degree while running professionally, and had some success during her eight years as a pro. But in 2022, after enduring an emotional time with her partner and their families, she began to reevaluate her relationship to running and sport. She retired, and started pursuing an additional degree to eventually become a registered dietitian. 

This episode covers the following topics and more: 

• Efraimson's current running and a big goal she has

• the Dietetic internship (she's graduating in May 2025)

• Navigating racing professionally, weight, body image, fueling, and harmful nutrition advice

• Going through puberty as a professional runner
• How she felt about the Mary Cain story when it came out and she was also competing as a pro runner for Nike
• What happened during the last year of her professional running career
• The nutrition book that totally shifted her perspective on eating and health

Follow Alexa Efraimson as she becomes a registered dietitian this year (2025) and begins supporting fellow athletes: @alexa.efraimson.

Looking for a clinician to support you through REDs, fueling for performance, or navigating mental health in sports? Go to Lane9Project.org/Directory to connect with a Lane 9 provider. 

Follow Lane 9 on Instagram @lane9Project and Substack: lane9project.substack.com.