177. Nutrition Culture in Pro Cycling + Eating Disorder Struggles to Ultra Running Success with Becca Windell
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This episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition podcast is with elite trail and ultra runner and wildlife biologist Becca Windell. Becca has a remarkable story from professional cycling in her early 20s, to retiring from sport due to an eating disorder, then returning to competitive sport as an elite ultra runner in her 30s, and recently earning a Golden Ticket into the Western States 100 mile race. We discuss the disordered nutrition culture Becca experienced as a professional cyclist, and how the pressure to be lighter was the catalyst for a severe eating disorder and falling out of love with sports. Becca shares about stepping away from sports to fully recover, which allowed her to find her passion for wildlife biology and animals. We talk about Becca’s journey back into elite racing as a fully fueled trail and ultra runner, and how she developed a happy and healthy relationship with sports as part of David and Megan Roche’s Team SWAP. Becca gives the listeners plenty of fueling tips for before, during, and after workout nutrition, emphasizing the power of high-carb fueling for optimal performance: more fueling equals better training and racing! TOPIC TIMESTAMPS: 7:45 Becca’s PhD in wildlife biology  11:20 Becca’s former pro cycling career 19:10 Disordered eating culture in pro cycling; Becca’s nutrition journey  21:20 The harm of commenting on bodies  27:55 Healthy vs harmful nutrition education 29:30 Eating disorder struggles as a pro athlete  33:20 Becca’s ED recovery and changing relationship with sport 35:25 Identity and life changes outside of athletics  39:30 Meat vs vegan diets in athletics and ED recovery  42:10 Returning to competitive sports in a healthy and happy way: becoming an elite ultra runner 47:10 Workout fueling tips; pre/post training snack ideas  54:20 High carb fueling for better performance; training and race day nutrition  1:01:30 End of the podcast questions We mentioned Dr. Megan and David Roche (Becca’s coach) and Team SWAP. Tune into episode 35: Run like a Puppy, Fuel with Taco Tuesday to hear them on the Female Athlete Nutrition podcast.  Find more about Becca on her website: www.beccawindell.com Follow Becca on Instagram @beccawindell and me, your host Lindsey Cortes, @female.athlete.nutrition  If you find value in this podcast and would like to support the show, join our patreon community! Become part of our Fiercely Fit and Fueled community today, and receive bonus episodes, merch, monthly recipes, access to an exclusive community message board, and have the chance to ask Lindsey your questions and get a podcast shoutout, and more! Head to patreon today patreon.com/femaleathletenutrition Your support means a lot! Need help with your fueling? Want to get in touch with Lindsey? Interested in the Female Athlete System of Transformation?  Head to www.RiseUpNutritionRUN.com to learn more & book a call! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Previnex: https://www.previnex.com/ use code RISEUP for 15% off at checkout InsideTracker: www.insidetracker.com use code LINDSEYCPRO25 for 25% off the entire store  THIS PODCAST IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY: Orgain, head to www.orgain.com and use the code RISEUP30 for 30% off your first order. Repeat customers can use the code OA2203 for 25% off future orders. Practice Better Click the link below to view plans and get a 14-day free trial. Then use the code RISEUP20 for 20% off your first 4 months: https://practicebetter.grsm.io/runp  Jen & Keri: https://jenandkeri.com/ use code RISEUP10 for $10 off your order
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