In Running on Om’s July 25th #213 podcast with Muse minds Fleshman and Moore, Julia Hanlon round tables with the two, exploring “…how to change the culture of body image and eating disorders in running.” The trip covers topics the likes of:
- Why runners are at risk for eating disorders
- How to use team captains and coaches as positive agents for change
- Debunking the myth of perfection
- How we can change the language we use to discuss body image
- Weight and performance
- The female athlete triad
- Tools for eating disorder prevention and recovery
Some points of interest/questions:
- The trio talk about how our view of pro female runners are shaped by viewing their bodies at peak performance, which doesn’t take into play the rest of the year, off time, etc.
- “Runners are very…we’re a strange breed. Especially highly competitive runners. You know, we can be pretty cynical and resistant to any kind of advice that feels general. There’s like this, ‘I’m so special, I can only listen to someone who really knows me and my sport and my level and what it takes…'” – Lauren Fleshman
- Not honoring, working with, or celebrating “becoming a woman” and puberty. Instead we’re apt to fight it. How can we change this? Can we begin with coaches?
- “…team bubbles; how they can help lift one another up when the issue is present on their team, because it’s not ‘if’ the issue is present on their team…” – Lauren Fleshman
- How comparing oneself is so seductive.
- The stories of those who have fallen from running due to disordered eating aren’t being told (likely due to shame), but these stories are important.
- “Shame thrives in secrecy.”
- “You have to imagine the person separate from the eating disorder…you will not shame the individual by talking about the behaviors…” – Dr. Moore
- How we view and treat ourselves is how we view other women. “The root of the root of the root of what’s happening is that if I don’t feel like I’m enough, then I’m going to find ways to make each of you two beautiful women feel like you’re not good enough either, because that’s the only way I can feel connected. And all of us are neurologically, biochemically, emotionally wired to be in connection. We all want a sense of belonging. But if I don’t feel like I belong, then I don’t really want you to belong either.” – Dr. Moore
- “You think you’re giving someone a compliment, but you’re actually doing harm…” – Dr. Moore How women will compliment outfits, hair, weight first. Even the compliment, “you look fit.” How we need to evolve this and compliment that which is more internal, characteristics, etc.
These are just a few of the numerous incredible points, questions posed and possible solutions Hanlon, Fleshman and Moore address in the podcast. You must give it a lesson, especially if you’re a coach, on a team, or concerned for friends, family or teammates and would like to better understand what they might be going through & how to communicate with them about it.
