In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Daniel Manseray. Daniel is the founder of the eating disorder exercise clinic and is a specialist mental health physiotherapist and dialectical behavioural therapist.

In this episode, we talk all things exercise and eating disorders with Daniel. We discuss how Daniel uses his experience as a physiotherapist and dialectical behavioural therapist to support individuals with eating disorders to develop a healthier relationship with exercise.

With that in mind, we discuss the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship with exercise and the biopsychosocial factors to consider when thinking about someone’s relationship.

We then speak about the link between emotions and exercise, which may be causing someone’s dependence on exercise, as well as identity and managing the return to exercise following on from a break during eating disorder recovery.

We discuss the prevalence of eating disorders in different types of sports including the difference between lean (e.g., endurance, aesthetic, and weight-dependent sports) and non-lean sports (e.g., ball, power, technical sports) and the consequences that may occur including the female athlete triad or RED-S.

Finally, we discuss the education and awareness that is required for both coaches and athletes to ensure they understand a healthy and unhealthy relationship with exercise and the consequences of this, as well as support throughout for individuals to call upon or recognise if things start to become unhealthy.

Resources recommended for professionals:

• UK Sport: https://www.uksport.gov.uk/~/media/files/resources/eatingdisordersin_sport.pdf

• Project RED-S: https://red-s.com

• SEES Guidelines: https://www.safeexerciseateverystage.com/access-sees-guidelines

• NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/compulsive-exercise

To find out more about Daniel and the ED Exercise Clinic, you can follow them on Instagram @edexerciseclinic or visit https://www.edexerciseclinics.com.