Allie Ostrander on RED-S and Recovery | The Mental Battle Behind Elite Running

This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, which some listeners may find upsetting. If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. In the UK, Beat Eating Disorders offers confidential support at beateatingdisorders.org.uk. In the US, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) at nationaleatingdisorders.org.

“It’s about what your body can do - not what it looks like.”

Recorded in Chicago following the Marathon, Coach Anya Culling sits down with NCAA Champion Allie Ostrander to explore what happens when performance comes at the cost of health. 

Known for her success in the 3,000m steeplechase, 5K, and trail running, Allie’s career appeared picture-perfect. But behind the medals, she was being tested in ways her training never prepared her for.

Allie reflects on her battle with an eating disorder, the female athlete triad, and RED-S, and how she rebuilt trust in her body, redefined success, and returned to a joy-centred approach in her training. 

Highlights Include:

👟 Alaska Roots: Growing up outdoors & learning to love running 

🏆 Elite Performance: The pressure of being an NCAA champion & pro athlete 

🧠 The Perfectionism Trap: Navigating an eating disorder, RED-S, and running burnout

❤️ Injury Cycles: How to rebuild trust in a broken body 

🏃‍♀️ Joy-First Training: Redefining success beyond times, medals, and results

This episode is a powerful reminder that in running, what your body can do will always matter more than how it looks!

🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and inspiring voices form the running community. 

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