Have you ever been called “bendy” or “double-jointed”? For many dancers, hypermobility feels like an advantage—those gorgeous lines, extensions, and flexibility that make choreography look effortless. But behind the aesthetic can come real challenges: joint instability, pain, fatigue, and even digestive issues. In this episode, Rachel Fine explores what hypermobility really means for dancers, how it differs from flexibility, and the unique role nutrition plays in supporting performance and preventing injury.

You’ll learn:

✅ The difference between hypermobility and flexibility

✅ Common symptoms dancers with hypermobility may experience

✅ Why hypermobility increases the risk of disordered eating

✅ Nutrition strategies for gut health, inflammation, and energy management

✅ How to approach food without anxiety or rigid restrictions

✅ Practical steps to support injury prevention and long-term performance

📅 Perfect for: hypermobile dancers, educators supporting “bendy” students, and families navigating complex nutrition challenges tied to hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos spectrum disorders.

📖 Read the full blog: https://dancenutrition.com/hypermobility-and-nutrition/

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Timestamps ⬇️ (Skip to the section you need!)

0:00 – From “Flexy” to Hypermobility
Personal story and introduction to the topic.

0:36 – Meet Rachel Fine, RDN
Background, mission, and approach to dancer nutrition.

0:59 – Why Hypermobility Matters for Dancers
Common experiences and challenges in the studio.

1:36 – Flexibility vs. Hypermobility
Key differences between muscle stretch and ligament laxity.

2:50 – Causes of Hypermobility
Collagen and connective tissue abnormalities explained.

3:11 – Why Dancers Value Hypermobility
Aesthetic ideals and studio culture.

3:37 – Subtypes of Hypermobility
From asymptomatic hypermobility to more complex cases.

4:06 – Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder & EDS
Overview of HSD, EDS, and common subtypes.

4:40 – Multi-System Symptoms
From joint pain to digestive issues, fatigue, and more.

5:51 – Dismissal and Misdiagnosis
The “it’s all in your head” frustration dancers face.

6:25 – Nutrition’s Role in Symptom Management
Why lifestyle and fueling choices matter.

6:53 – Digestive Disorders & Restrictive Diets
IBS, constipation, and the risks of elimination diets.

9:25 – Inflammation, Joint Pain, and Food
Gentle nutrition vs. restrictive “anti-inflammatory” diets.

11:53 – Food Anxiety and Dancer Diet Culture
How food fears worsen symptoms and how to dismantle them.

15:15 – Building Support and Next Steps
Working with a care team and improving your relationship with food.

Rachel Fine, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and Certified Counselor of Intuitive Eating, works with dancers to help them build supportive relationships with both food and body.

Disclaimer: This is produced for informational purposes only. This information is general, not specific to you. The information in this podcast does not substitute for medical advice. The viewer assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional regarding health conditions or concerns, and before starting a new diet or health program.