In this episode, Becca McConville, an expert on relative energy deficiency in sports, shares insights on REDs and its impact on health and performance. We break down the complexities of metabolic dysfunction, the "sneaky" ways athletes end up under-fueled, and why a low resting heart rate might not be the "fitness flex" many think it is.

From the impact of GLP-1 medications on performance to the psychology of "a la carte" movement, this conversation provides a roadmap for athletes and clinicians to move from a state of survival to true performance.

We chat about:

• REDS and its effects on metabolism and health
• Unstructured activity and its role in energy expenditure
• Nutritional strategies for athletes to prevent REDS
• Metabolic markers and signs of low energy availability
• The impact of low heart rate and HRV on athlete health
• And so much more!

Stay Connected:

• Follow Becca on Instagram: @rebeccaeddietitian
• Check out Becca's website: https://beccamcconville.com/
• Follow Stevie on Instagram: @stevielynlyn
• Join Stevie’s newsletter: Stevie Lyn Nutrition newsletter

In this episode we dive deep into the "middle space" between athletic coaching, mental performance, and clinical therapy. Guest Neal Palles is a psychotherapist, certified mental performance consultant, and ultra-running coach. He shares his unique perspective on the "many hats" he wears supporting athletes

We explore the dangerous glorification of suffering in endurance sports and how "grit" can often transform into "rigidity."

Neal breaks down the critical differences between performance coaching (skills and strategy) and therapy (core beliefs and identity).

We also chat more about:

• Athlete identity
• Burnout, overtraining, and resilience in endurance sport athletes
• Mental health for athletes
• The "suck it up" mentality in sport
• Viewing injury from a mental health perspective
• ADHD in athletes
• And so much more!

Stay connected:

• Check out Neal's website here
• Follow Neal on Instagram @nealpalles
• Follow Stevie on Instagram: @stevielynlyn
• Join Stevie’s newsletter: Stevie Lyn Nutrition newsletter

In this episode I sit down with my colleague to dive into how sports nutrition is growing in the tactical and high-performance field. He also shares practical tips to spot nutrition misinformation, gives his take on the new dietary guidelines, and more!

Brandon Lee, DHSc, RD, CSSD, CCRP, FAND, is a human performance practitioner, researcher, and educator dedicated to advancing athlete health, readiness, and resilience. A Registered Dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, he serves as a Dietitian within the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system, providing performance nutrition support to more than 4,000 Soldiers in the 10th Mountain Division. His work integrates evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and applied research to optimize tactical performance and enhance Soldier lethality and recovery.

Brandon’s background spans clinical nutrition, long-term care, collegiate teaching, sports performance, and human nutrition research. He has contributed to high-performance environments, including Minor League Baseball and the Obesity and Metabolism Unit at UC Davis, where he coordinated research on dietary patterns and metabolic health.

An active scholar and speaker, Brandon has published peer-reviewed and professional articles on low energy availability, overtraining, and tactical nutrition, and he presents regularly at national and state conferences. He also serves on advisory boards and has held multiple leadership and service roles within professional organizations.

Brandon earned his Doctor of Health Science from PennWest University and is recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In this episode Stevie chats with Brandon about:

• What is encompassed in the growing field of tactical nutrition
• Collaboration being key to be a better practitioner and to better support the individual athlete
• The three pillars of evidence-based practice
• Hot takeaways from the new dietary guidelines
• And so much more!

Stay connected:

• Check out Brandon's professional profile here
• Follow along with Brandon's work on LinkedIn
• Follow Stevie on Instagram: @stevielynlyn
• Join Stevie’s newsletter: Stevie Lyn Nutrition newsletter