It feels like a lifetime ago, but running was once a huge part of my identity. And, in many ways, it became entangled with disordered eating.
Not all at once, and not in a way that felt obvious to me at the time. It actually showed up quietly—sometimes as discipline and “health,” other times as dedication and grit. There were long miles paired with rigid food rules, mostly habits I picked up through observation. There was exposure to the kind of praise that rewards shrinking (or, more insidiously, a certain type of body). And all of this within a culture that manages to frame control as commitment and suffering as proof you’re doing it right.
If you’ve spent time in endurance sports, you might recognize this terrain—where nourishment becomes something to master and worth is measured in output.
Running gave me so much. And at the same time, the ecosystem around it made it dangerously easy to lose trust in my body. Research confirms what many athletes live: disordered eating is more common in endurance sports, especially in spaces where leanness is equated with performance. But data alone doesn’t shield you when the messaging is constant and the stories we tell about “successful” bodies are so narrow.
So, needless to say, I am so happy to bring you this week’s conversation with Zoë Rom and Kylee Van Horn.
Zoë is a journalist, elite runner, and advocate for nuanced storytelling in sports media. Kylie is a dietitian working directly with athletes. They join me to share their insights on navigating nutrition myths, challenging unrealistic body ideals, and fostering a healthier, science-backed relationship with movement and food.
Gentle note: Part of this episode is just for paid subscribers.
As you may know, I do about two bonus podcasts per month behind the paywall.
To join us, click the button below! (you’ll get full access to the archives, too ☺️)
In the full conversation, we get into:
How diet culture shows up in running and endurance sports
The role of media in reinforcing harmful body standards for athletes
Why nutrition myths—especially around carbohydrates—are so persistent
The particular brand of disordered eating in runners
How the attention economy rewards extremes over nuance
The pressure athletes face with appearance and body composition
Why humor is such a powerful part of recovery and healing
What it means to ask deeper questions about our beliefs around food, health, and performance
The importance of representing diverse bodies in athletics
I hope you enjoy this one! It’s full of stories, science, and a little humor along the way—including why, yes, pizza really is the hero we all deserve.
