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Episode 72: Greta Jarvis (Founder of Center for Active Women)
🎙 In this episode: I sit down with the founder of the Center for Active Women for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about the complicated relationship between female athletes, food, body image, and sport. From disordered eating to the taboo topic of missed periods, we dig into what’s really going on beneath the surface of today’s youth sports culture and how we can do better for the next generation of athletes.
🔹 Discipline vs. DisorderWhere the line blurs for driven athletes who want to perfect their bodies for performance, but risk crossing into harmful patterns.
🔹 Eating Disorders vs. Disordered EatingWhy there’s a big difference between the two… and how almost everyone can relate to at least one part of the struggle.
🔹 The Athlete MindsetFocus, dedication, and perfectionism fuel success — but those same traits can increase the risk of unhealthy habits.
🔹 The Culture of SilenceCoaches may avoid saying the wrong thing, but are they saying anything to educate and help?
🔹 Shame & IsolationDespite how common disordered eating is, many athletes suffer quietly, believing they’re the only one.
🔹 When “Healthy” Isn’t HealthyOur guest’s personal story: diagnosed with osteoporosis at 24 after being told it was normal to miss her period for eight years.
🔹 The Normalization ProblemWhy missing periods in young female athletes has become almost expected and why that’s a dangerous misconception.
🔹 Under-Eating & Over-TrainingHow many athletes are unintentionally starving their bodies of what they needÂ
🔹 Breaking the TabooHow to make conversations about periods, nutrition, and health less awkward (and more essential).
🔹 Representation MattersWhy more female coaches, trainers, and leaders in sports can make a huge difference in these conversations.
🔹 Real Talk from the SidelinesCoaches are seeing it firsthand... athletes fainting, lightheaded, or weak... and it almost always comes back to food.
🔹 A Word of CautionThink twice before complimenting someone’s weight loss. What sounds positive might reinforce something dangerous.