131: Eating Disorder Recovery Made Me A Better Athlete

Female Athlete Nutrition

In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition, I talk with Nike-sponsored professional trail runner Bailey Kowalczyk. More than an incredible athlete, Bailey is a role model on and off the run. She bravely shares how an incredibly toxic college running environment was the catalyst for a severe battle with anorexia, ripping her away from the sport she loved. Bailey talks about her recovery journey, through relapse and inpatient treatment, unpacking disordered thoughts and behaviors. We discuss how eating disorders are often about much more than food, as well as the influence of coaches and those around you on mindsets and beliefs. Like many athletes, Bailey fell into the trap of thinking that losing weight would make her faster, but instead it led to injuries and being forced to stop running; now at a heavier weight, with a healthy well-fuelled body, Bailey is performing better than ever and is currently running professionally for Nike.

Bailey and I talk about recovery silver linings and lessons that can be learned through times of struggle. Recovery is not a linear process, but with a growth mindset, relapses and setbacks can help you find greater healing in the long term. For Bailey, recovery left her with gratitude for her health and the ability to run, and she shares how with a healthy body she is now performing better than ever! We hear what a day in the life as a professional trail runner is like, and Bailey and I bond over our shared love for loaded smoothie bowls!

For more on Bailey, check out her website www.baileykowalczyk.com

Follow Bailey on Instagram @baileykowalczyk and me, your host Lindsey Cortes, @female.athlete.nutrition

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In this episode we talk about:

4:40 Lessons learned through anorexia recovery

8:15 It’s not about the food; recovery, relapse, and disordered thoughts

13:00 Bailey’s running story

16:00 From “healthy” clean eating to anorexia nervosa

21:00 Recovery silver linings and growth through struggles

25:00 Toxic team cultures and running pressures

31:00 Lighter is not faster, a healthy body is; body image concerns

34:50 Bailey’s treatment and recovery experiences; stepping away from sport

36:30 Running before, during, and after recovery

41:30 Inpatient eating disorder treatment

45:30 Life as a professional trail runner

54:30 End of the podcast questions