What if the fueling strategy you’ve followed for years is no longer the one that best supports your performance?

In Episode 131 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by elite ultrarunner and coach Zach Bitter for a thoughtful conversation about his experience with both low and high carb fueling.

After following a low carb diet for 14 years, including when he broke the World and American Records in the 100-mile distance, he decided to change course and try high carb fueling. It's been 8 months now of experimenting with more carbs, and so far, he’s had a very positive experience.

Zach and I discuss:

• Why he originally went low carb as a younger ultrarunner
• What his particular flavor of low carb fueling looked like in practice
• What motivated him to dramatically increase his carb intake last year
• How high carb fueling has influenced his recent training and racing
• Why you shouldn't make one single diet your whole identity
• The importance of curiosity and flexibility for long-term health and performance

This episode is full of nuance, and underscores the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all diet. As Zach says in the episode, don't be afraid to try something new, because if it doesn't work out, you can always go back to what you were doing before!

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Links & Resources

• Follow Zach Bitter on Instagram and visit Zach’s Website
• Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
• Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
• Grab my Nutrition Mini Guide Bundle (a collection of 6 mini guides, worksheets, and a bonus supplement resource)
• Check out my free nutrition downloads
• Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community
• Get in touch at [email protected] 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

“Healthy, happy, and balanced athletes are the ones that make it across the finish line again and again throughout a long career and leave a legacy.”
— Jessie Diggins

Jessie Diggins is currently competing in her fourth and final Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. I interviewed her back in January 2021, just one week after her historic Tour de Ski win on some of the same Italian mountains she's skiing on now. 

Since our recording, Jessie has become the most accomplished cross-country skier from the US, with 4 Olympic medals (she won her 4th one today!), 3 World Cup overall titles, 7 World Championship medals, and countless other accolades. 

Even though it's no longer Covid times (thank goodness), this powerful conversation about fueling for joy, resilience, and longevity in sport remains just as relevant and important today. 

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In Episode 37, I’m honored to be joined by cross-country skier and Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins. She is not only dominating her sport, but also using her platform to promote healthy fueling, body positivity, and the importance of enjoying food without restriction.

Many fans first fell in love with Jessie during the 2018 Winter Olympics, where she and Kikkan Randall won the first-ever American gold medal in cross-country skiing. At the time of this interview, Jessie had also just won the Tour de Ski, becoming the first American to claim the title.

In this conversation, Jessie challenges the idea that leanness leads to success, reminding athletes that “Skinny doesn’t win races. Fast wins races.” She emphasizes that fueling well, prioritizing health, and embracing joy are essential to reaching the start line ready to race.

🎧 Tune in now for this inspiring conversation!

Links & Resources

• Follow Jessie Diggins on Instagram and visit Jessie's website 
• Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
• Check out my free nutrition downloads
• Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
• Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Wondering what you can realistically do to stay healthy during training, travel, and sick season? That's what Laura Ligos, RD (aka The Sassy Dietitian) and I chat about in Episode 130 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast. 

This episode is not about immune “hacks” or doing more. Instead, we break down what actually supports immune health from a nutrition and lifestyle perspective, and explore where athletes often get tripped up when training, underfueling, poor sleep, and life stress stack up.

Laura and I discuss:

• How training, recovery, fueling, sleep, and life stress interact to influence immune function
• The J-curve relationship between exercise and immune health 
• Why eating enough is key to preventing illness
• The role of carbs, specific micronutrients, and other fueling patterns
• Why sleep and rest from exercise make your immune system more resilient
• What to do if you’ve been exposed to illness but aren’t sick yet
• Dietary and lifestyle tips for when symptoms start showing up
• Which supplements may be helpful, and when to take them
• How your approach should differ when dealing with respiratory vs GI illness 
• Immune health considerations during travel, including foodborne illness

If you’re dealing with stress, constant colds, lingering fatigue, or that frustrating feeling of being almost sick for days on end, this conversation is for you. 

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Links & Resources

• Follow Laura Ligos on Instagram and visit Laura's Website
• In the J-Curve study we mentioned, it's worth noting: "The main limitation in the field is that most of the studies were conducted in military populations. Military intensive training introduces a wide range of bias because this intensive training usually is accompanied with dietary energy deficiency, sleep deprivation, and psychological stress." 
• Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
• Check out my free nutrition downloads
• Browse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)
• Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
• Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community
• Get in touch at [email protected] 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

In Episode 129 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by ultrarunner, coach, and host of The Everyday Ultra Podcast, Joe Corcione. 

Joe’s story is not the typical “natural-born athlete” narrative. He wasn't active growing up, and he struggled with drugs and alcohol as a teenager and young adult. 

With a willingness to do the work (both physically and mentally) and make small changes, Joe gradually became sober and reshaped his identity. He went on to finish over 25 ultramarathons, coach runners around the world, and build the Everyday Ultra community.

Throughout our conversation, you’ll notice a powerful theme around the stories we tell ourselves and how these stories impact our behavior. 

Joe and I explore:

• How his early beliefs that he was "unathletic" held him back for years to come
• Why small, consistent changes matter more than extremes
• How shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset helped him recover from addiction, start running longer distances, and determine what eating style worked best for his body
• Why endurance athletes cannot only rely on exercise as a coping tool
• What sustainable ultramarathon training really looks like
• How he fuels himself during training runs and races

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Links & Resources

• Follow Joe Corcione on Instagram and visit Joe's Website
• Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
• Check out my free nutrition downloads
• Browse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)
• Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
• Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community
• Get in touch at [email protected] 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter and to show your support for my work!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Welcome to Season 8 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by Registered Dietitian Leslie Schilling, MA, RDN, CSCS, CEDS-C for an important conversation about exercise dependence, a pattern of compulsive movement that can threaten an athlete’s mental and physical health.

I heard Leslie speak on this topic at a conference and immediately knew I wanted to bring her on the show. This is partly because I struggled with exercise dependence in the past, and also because of how frequently I see people exercise beyond what is safe or recommended. 

Leslie and I discuss:

• What exercise dependence is, and who is most at risk
• How to tell if exercise is healthy or potentially harmful
• What Leslie's message, "If you fuel it, you can do it" means in practice
• The connection between underfueling and over exercise
• Signs that you might be weight suppressed
• What compassionate change can look like

Also, toward the end of the episode, we walk you through a validated questionnaire to help you evaluate if you may be experiencing some level of exercise addiction. 

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Links & Resources

• Follow Leslie Schilling on Instagram and visit Leslie's Website
• Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
• Check out my free nutrition downloads
• Browse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)
• Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
• Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community
• Get in touch at [email protected] 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm back with one last bonus episode of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, this time with a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s actually like to work with a sports dietitian.

I walk through how I work with athletes inside my private practice, from start to finish. I discuss who 1:1 nutrition coaching is best for, how long athletes typically work with me, what my approach looks like, the kinds of changes I often see when athletes get the right support in place, and so much more.

I also share an overview of my monthly membership, Fuel for Life Crew, which is designed for athletes who want nutrition guidance, education, and community without full 1:1 coaching.

This episode is meant to be informative, not a sales pitch. It answers the most common questions I get about my services so you can decide if working with a sports dietitian makes sense for you!

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Mentioned in today’s show:

🎉 New Year’s Sale (January 1–3 only)
Everything I offer (except 1:1 coaching) is 50% off with code JAN50, including:
 • All masterclasses and mini guides (the bundles too)
 • My course, Peak Performance
• Your first month in Fuel for Life Crew

Shop the sale here

💪 1:1 Nutrition Coaching - Fill out a new client inquiry form 

👥 Fuel for Life Crew (Membership) - join now for just $39/month 

📩 Get in touch: [email protected]

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

I'm back with another short bonus episode, this time, all about how to fuel confidently during the holidays. I build on what I talked about in the last episode, so if you missed it, go back and give it a listen!

Between disrupted routines, travel, stress, social events, and allll the festive foods, it’s easy to slip into patterns like skipping meals or trying to “earn” or “burn off” what you eat. But the truth is: your nutrition needs don’t suddenly change just because it’s December.

In this episode, I share simple, compassionate strategies that help you stay fueled, enjoy the foods you love, and keep your energy steady during this busy season.

I cover:

• Why the holidays don’t require a new nutrition approach, just more flexibility
• The most common pitfalls people face
• Why skipping meals (especially breakfast) and "saving" calories backfire
• How to build a flexible holiday fueling framework
• Practical strategies for how to eat when you have a big meal or event planned
• What “checking in with your body” actually looks like
• Travel-friendly fueling strategies that keep you energized on the go
• How to move your body during the holidays without slipping into the earn/burn mindset

This is a must-listen if you tend to get thrown off your routine this time of year or find yourself feeling stressed about food, travel, or holiday meals. These tools will help you stay grounded without rigid rules, and enjoy the season more fully.

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Mentioned in today’s show:

• Blog post and free download: Travel Nutrition Tips for Athletes
• Access the full masterclass, The Athlete's Guide to Off-Season and Holiday Fueling, inside my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $30
• Shop my sale through 12/20: Use code DECEMBER25 for 25% off hats and sticker packs plus get a free sticker with each purchase
• Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (new clients start January 2026)
• Get in touch: [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with someone who might need support this holiday season!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical or nutrition advice.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Happy December! I'm hopping back on the mic to bring you a bonus episode all about a topic that comes up every single year with my clients: off-season fueling. 

When training volume drops and structure loosens, it’s easy to shift your focus away from your nutrition. And let's face it - it's also a crazy time of year. But what you eat in the off-season has a huge impact on your energy, recovery, general health, and how you feel heading into your next training cycle.

Whether you're taking real time off, switching activities or sports, or simply doing less of the same, this episode will help you stay fueled without micromanaging every bite.

In this episode, I cover:

• What the “off-season” actually is (and why it matters)
• Core fueling principles that don’t change, no matter the season
• How to adjust your nutrition when volume and intensity drop
• A practical look at carb needs during lower-volume training
• How to build balanced meals and snacks without tracking everything
• When (and when not) to consider body recomposition goals
• Why fueling your workouts still matters in the off-season
• How to use this time to build resilience for your next training cycle

This is a must-listen for anyone feeling a little lost with their nutrition after a big training cycle or who needs a refresher on foundational fueling strategies that are relevant year-round.

🎧 Tune in to learn more! 

P.S. Spotify unwrapped came out this week and The Eat for Endurance Podcast was a top show for a bunch of you out there. Who are you? Say hi!

Mentioned in today's episode:

• Access the full masterclass, The Athlete's Guide to Off-Season and Holiday Fueling, inside my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $30
• Blog post: How much do I need to eat as an endurance athlete?
• Blog post with more guidance on daily carb goals
• Episode 124 with Sports RD Alex Larson on body comp work
• Shop my sale through 12/20: Use code DECEMBER25 for 25% off hats and sticker packs plus get a free sticker with each purchase
• Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (new clients start January 2026)
• Get in touch: [email protected]
  
  

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share with a friend who could use some off-season fueling support!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical or nutrition advice.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

Episode 127 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast is the final show of the year, and I'm dedicating it to you, my listeners, clients, and Fuel for Life Crew members. You all sent me so many great nutrition questions and stories over the past few months, and I spend this episode answering and reading all of them.

If you're an active person trying to feel and perform your best, whether you're training for a race or just for everyday life, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I cover:

• How to simplify nutrition when it feels overwhelming
• What “gut training” really means and how to start
• Tips for becoming a Board-Certified Sports RD (CSSD)
• Estimating calorie and macronutrient needs
• Navigating hunger cues vs. performance fueling
• Travel nutrition tips for busy working athletes
• Body image challenges and fueling during the off-season
• And more!

This is a must-listen for any athlete who wants evidence-based, compassionate guidance from a registered Sports Dietitian with 11+ years of experience helping athletes of all levels.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this episode. I appreciate every question and message, and am so glad to hear that this show is helping you stay well-fueled. 

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Links & Resources

• Join my membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime, discounted membership options available)
• Check out my free nutrition downloads
• Browse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)
• Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (new clients starting January 2026)
• Shop all my affiliate links for Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous, and more
• Join my Patreon community
• Get in touch at [email protected] 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

In Episode 126 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by fertility experts Laura Ligos, Registered Dietitian and founder of The Sassy Dietitian, and Danielle Kepics, Physician Assistant and founder of Empowered Mind + Body. Together, they co-run The Unconventional Collaborative, a mastermind supporting practitioners, coaches, and trainers looking to elevate their work (I’m a member myself!).

In this episode, we explore a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in athletic spaces: fertility and how it connects to performance and long-term health for both women and men.

PSA: Fertility isn’t just about having kids. It’s also a reflection of hormone and metabolic health, energy availability, and overall well-being. In other words, your reproductive health is a vital sign of how your body is functioning.

We dive into:

• Why fertility is about so much more than having kids (although we talk about that too, don't worry)
• How underfueling and stress impact fertility and hormone health
• Common signs of low energy availability in athletes
• Why menstrual cycles (for women) and testosterone levels (for men) are key performance and health indicators
• Nutrition strategies to support fertility and healthy hormones
• The role of birth control in reproductive health
• And SO much more!

This is a must-listen for any active person who wants to perform their best and protect their long-term well-being.

🎧 Tune in to learn more!

Links & Resources

• Follow Laura Ligos on Instagram and visit her website 
• Follow Danielle Kepics on Instagram and visit her website 
• Check out the Unconventional Collab if you're a provider
• Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime, discounted membership options available)
• Check out my free nutrition downloads
• Browse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)
• Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form 
• Shop all my affiliate links for Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous, and more
• Join my Patreon community
• Get in touch at [email protected] 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.

Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).