The Eat for Endurance Podcast

• Fertility and Hormone Health for Athletes

  In Episode 126 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by fertility experts Laura Ligos, Registered Dietitian and founder of The Sassy Dietitian, and Danielle Kepics, Physician Assistant and founder of Empowered Mind + Body. Together, they co-run The Unconventional Collaborative, a mastermind supporting practitioners, coaches, and trainers looking to elevate their work (I’m a member myself!).In this episode, we explore a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in athletic spaces: fertility and how it connects to performance and long-term health for both women and men.PSA: Fertility isn’t just about having kids. It’s also a reflection of hormone and metabolic health, energy availability, and overall well-being. In other words, your reproductive health is a vital sign of how your body is functioning.We dive into:Why fertility is about so much more than having kids (although we talk about that too, don't worry)How underfueling and stress impact fertility and hormone healthCommon signs of low energy availability in athletesWhy menstrual cycles (for women) and testosterone levels (for men) are key performance and health indicatorsNutrition strategies to support fertility and healthy hormonesThe role of birth control in reproductive healthAnd SO much more!This is a must-listen for any active person who wants to perform their best and protect their long-term well-being.🎧 Tune in to learn more!Links & ResourcesFollow Laura Ligos on Instagram and visit her website Follow Danielle Kepics on Instagram and visit her website Check out the Unconventional Collab if you're a providerJoin my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime, discounted membership options available)Check out my free nutrition downloadsBrowse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form Shop all my affiliate links for Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous, and moreJoin my Patreon communityGet in touch at [email protected] Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

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• Bonus episode: I want to hear from YOU!

  This one’s short and sweet! I’m popping in for a few minutes to let you know that my final episode of 2025 is going to be all about you.I’d love to feature your questions, stories, reflections, and feedback. Maybe you…Had a race go really well (or really badly!)Took away something from an episode that stuck with youWant to share your personal journey with fueling, health, or performanceHave a question you’d love me to answerOr simply want to tell me what you’d like to hear more of in 2026This podcast has grown into such a special community over the last six years, and your voices are what keep me motivated to continue the show. I’d be SO grateful if you reached out and shared your stories or whatever is on your mind with me.📩 Send your questions/stories/feedback by October 22nd to:Email: [email protected] contact form: eatforendurance.comInstagram DM: @eatforenduranceYou can stay anonymous if you prefer - just let me know.THANK YOU so much for listening, sharing, rating, reviewing, and supporting my show. I can’t wait to highlight you in the final episode of the year!P.S. If you haven't yet grabbed my new fueling-themed stickers, show your support by purchasing them here. Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

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• Behind the Mic with Lindsey Hein: Fueling Life as a Running Coach, Podcaster, and Mom of 4

  In Episode 125 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by running coach and podcaster Lindsey Hein.If you’re a runner, you may already know Lindsey’s voice as she’s the host of the I’ll Have Another Podcast, and co-host of The Relay Podcast. She’s also a longtime distance runner, certified running coach, race announcer, and mom of four boys.In this episode, we go behind the mic to talk about Lindsey’s personal journey through running, motherhood, and nutrition. From navigating major life transitions like a preventative double mastectomy and hysterectomy, to fueling a busy family of six, Lindsey shares what it looks like to juggle miles, meals, and motherhood, all while building a thriving career in the running community.Lindsey and I discuss:Her path from passionate runner to coach, podcaster, and community-builderReal-world strategies for fueling an active family without overcomplicating mealsHow major life transitions shaped her outlook on her body, nutrition, movement, and self-careWhy nutrition isn’t static, and how to let it evolve across life stagesThe importance of authenticity and connection in coaching and podcasting🎧 Tune in to learn more!Links & ResourcesFollow Lindsey Hein on Instagram and visit Lindsey's WebsiteJoin my membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime, discounted membership options available)Purchase my new fueling-themed stickersCheck out my free nutrition downloadsBrowse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)Shop all my affiliate links for Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous, and moreGet in touch at [email protected] Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

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• Should Endurance Athletes Try to Change Body Composition During a Training Cycle?

  In Episode 124 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by sports dietitian and multi-sport athlete, Alex Larson, RD LD, to explore two important topics: triathlon nutrition and body composition for endurance athletes. We dive into questions like what makes fueling for triathlon uniquely challenging, and whether or not endurance athletes should directly work on body composition goals during a training cycle (or, ever). Key timestamps:8:53: Triathlon nutrition34:20: Body composition and endurance trainingAlex and I discuss:How fueling strategies differ across swimming, cycling, and runningCommon nutrition mistakes triathletes makeHow to build a solid pre-race meal, why fueling on the bike should be a “mobile buffet," and other race-day logisticsTroubleshooting fueling and other challenges during long-course triathlonsWhether or not endurance athletes should pursue body comp goals during training (Alex has a slightly different take on this one)Which types of athletes should not be working on body comp changes Why a performance and health-first approach should guide nutrition decisionsHeads up – we talk a lot about body comp for athletes in this episode, and it is a very nuanced topic. While "getting leaner" is a common goal for many active people, I want to be clear: your health, performance, and worth do NOT depend on you being "lean," however you define that. It's okay to want to change your body composition, and for some athletes, this can be done safely in certain situations. It's also okay (and for some athletes, very necessary) to NOT chase body comp goals, ever. So please take care of yourself, and remember - your body is meant to change over time.  🎧 Tune in to learn more!Links & ResourcesFollow Alex Larson on Instagram and visit Alex's WebsiteCheck out my NEW Ultimate Fueling Sticker Pack, a collection of 6 high-quality stickers to help you celebrate how you fuel your active lifestyle Join my membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime)Check out my free nutrition downloadsBrowse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (spots limited for 2025)Join my Patreon communityGet in touch at [email protected] Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

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• How the Food Matrix Impacts Nutrient Absorption with Sports Dietitian Marie Spano

  In Episode 123 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by sports dietitian and nutrition communications specialist, Marie Spano, MS, RD, CSCS, CSSD. Marie is the Sports RD for the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Hawks, and she has previously worked with powerhouse teams including the Atlanta Braves (World Series champions in 2021), Chicago Cubs, and more. I’ve admired Marie’s work and have been trying to get her on the show for many years, so I’m extra excited to finally share this conversation with you.In this episode, we’re diving deep into the food matrix, including what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts nutrient absorption. As Marie explains, “Food is so much more than the sum of its nutrient parts.” We break down how nutrients interact within foods, how processing or cooking can change them, and what this means for fueling, recovery, and performance.Marie and I discuss:What the food matrix is and why it’s so important for athletesHow the food matrix impacts nutrient absorption, hunger/satiety, gut health, and moreReal-world examples of how protein, carbs, and fat behave differently depending on food formThe role of fiber, antioxidants, and other plant compounds in long-term health and performanceWhy processed foods (like sports drinks, juice, or protein powders) can be the best choice for athletes in certain situations🎧 Tune in to learn more!Links & ResourcesFollow Marie Spano on Instagram and visit Marie’s WebsiteJoin my membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime, discounted membership options available)Check out my free nutrition downloadsBrowse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (spots limited for 2025)Shop all my affiliate links for Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous, and moreJoin my Patreon communityGet in touch at [email protected] Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!Support the showThanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

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