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It is National Eating Disorder Awareness week. Sadly, eating disorders are far too common in the world of running for females, at all levels and ages. This is why we felt it was important to openly discuss this topic, especially as moms, hoping we can help ourselves break the cycle & the generation we are raising. =

TRIGGER WARNING: We do share our own experiences with eating disorders so if what we discuss makes you uncomfortable or triggers something in you, please do not continue listening. And if you feel like you may need help, please see the resources below. 

In this conversation, we discuss our own personal experiences along with what helped those of us who struggled to overcome our battles. We discuss the importance of viewing food as fuel for successful and healthy running. We delve into the complexities of mental health, body image, and the impact of social media on self-perception. We also discuss the importance of supportive relationship in overcoming eating disorders or disordered eating, and emphasize the need for a balanced approach to food, particularly as moms.

Whether you have had your own struggles with food or know someone who may, we hope our stories and lessons may help. 

RESOURCES:

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help/

https://anad.org

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Current Challenges

09:45 Addressing Eating Disorders in Female Runners

10:14 Tricia's Journey with Eating Disorders

19:25 The Hidden Struggles of Eating Disorders

20:57 The Impact of Injury on Body Image

22:52 Navigating Social Situations and Food

24:58 The Influence of Competitive Environments

31:12 Recognizing and Addressing Eating Disorders

49:21 Finding Support and Community

49:37 Understanding Triggers and Support Systems

52:55 Navigating Social Media and Body Image

56:51 Rethinking Food Relationships for Kids

01:00:00 Fueling for Performance vs. Body Image

01:03:30 Realistic Expectations in Postpartum Running

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]