Mind, Body, Food, and Culture: Eating Disorders in Athletes

Saline Cross Country is glad to welcome Rachael Steil as she shares her expertise in identifying and speaking about eating disorders in athletes.

This event is taking place in coordination with the Tracksmith Twilight 5k series. To register for that run, visit this link and use the code A2TWILIGHT to save $10.

Mind, Body, Food, and Culture: The 1 in 8 Athletes Running in Silence

Statistically, 1 in 8 athletes–in any sport and any gender–will be more likely to struggle with injuries or declining sport performances due to a factor often shrouded in shame and silence. In female distance runners, it’s 1 in 5. For men in weight class or aesthetic sports, it’s 1 in 3.

Author and cross country/track coach Rachael Steil shares how to speak openly about and address eating disorders, something she unknowingly struggled with for years as an All-American runner at Aquinas College. Steil turns this often-misunderstood topic into an engaging conversation through stories of her experience, why it can be so difficult to spot, and how to reach out and support a teammate who could be struggling. In turn, athletes are empowered to advocate for a healthy team environment around food and body image, identify expert nutrition resources, and know when some forms of athlete dedication harms more than it helps. Whether you suspect you’ve struggled with disordered eating or know a teammate who has, knowing this information, especially when so many athletes are running in silence, could save a life.This powerful, 60-minute Running in Silence keynote will show attendees how to:

Recognize a possible eating disorder beyond weight so that they can break stereotypes and support a teammate who could be struggling in silence.
Explain what it's like to struggle with an eating disorder as an athlete so that they understand how it can affect athletes physically, socially, and emotionally.
Describe how to approach a teammate they think may be struggling with an eating disorder so that an athlete is more likely to get professional help sooner.
Describe how to advocate for a healthy team environment around food and body image and what steps team leaders can take if more support is needed.
Summarize what athlete eating disorder recovery may look like so there is less fear and uncertainty around it and show how athletes can get back to doing what they love.