What happens when the pursuit of peak performance starts to come at the expense of an athlete's physical and mental health? Today, we sit down with Dr. Kelsey Dawson, sports psychologist, and Lauren Link, sports dietitian, to explore the intersection of athlete mental health, sports nutrition, body image, and eating disorder prevention.
We unpack the pressures athletes face at every level—from high school and college sports to elite competition—and discuss how coaches, parents, clinicians, and athletes can create healthier performance environments. Plus, we dive into RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), athlete identity, performance metrics, and why body weight is often one of the least helpful indicators of athletic success.
Connect with Kelsey and Lauren:
- Dawson Counseling & Performance
- Lauren’s IG: LinktoNutrition
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We talk all about:- Why athletes are at increased risk for eating disorders and disordered eating
- What RED-S is and why every athlete should know about it
- The connection between nutrition, mental health, and athletic performance
- How body image pressures impact athletes across all sports
- Why coaches should focus on performance—not weight
- The role of sports psychology in building resilient athletes
- Supporting athletes through retirement, injury, and identity shifts
- How parents, coaches, and clinicians can create healthier sport cultures
Resources & Mentions:
- American Sports & Performance Dietitians Association (ASPDA)
- National Alliance for Eating Disorders
- The Healthy Former Athlete by Lauren Link
- Clinical Counseling Sports Psychology Association (CCSPA)
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