Feisty Women's Performance

We're welcoming registered dietitian Alex Larson to help us dive deep into the critical (and less critical) nutrition trends of coming in 2026. Alex and your host, Dr. Erin Ayala, discuss the realities of the supplement industry, bust myths surrounding women's sports nutrition, and explore evidence-based nutrition strategies to enhance your performance. Key Takeaways What supplements should you re...

Annie Thorisdottir has stood on the CrossFit Games podium six times and built a career as one of the most recognizable and respected athletes in the world. But some of the most defining moments of her life happened far from the competition floor. In this episode, Annie opens up about the raw and disorienting experience of seeing herself just days postpartum and not recognizing the woman in the mir...

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani (“Dr. G”), a leading expert in medical complications of eating disorders and underfueling, joins us to explain what female athletes need to know about the many effects of fueling on your performance and health. She explains how underfueling can significantly impact your bodies and mind — and what signs you should be aware that you might not even realize are a...

What does it really take to keep women athletes healthy, performing, and in sport for the long haul? Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with Dr. Margo Mountjoy , one of the world’s leading voices in sports medicine, female athlete health, injury prevention, and athlete advocacy. Dr. Mountjoy has contributed to more than 20 International Olympic Committee consensus statements and recently served on the steer...

What is weight-inclusive care? And why does it matter for *all* active women's health and performance? Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with Dr. Heather Bergeson, a sports‑medicine physician and co‑director of the TRIA Women’s Sports Medicine program, to unpack five decades of fitness and diet fads. Past trends still shape today's wellness culture — and even if you think you're immune, you're not. Key Tak...

In this bonus episode, Hit Play Not Pause host, Selene Yeager welcomes longtime friend, cyclist, and women’s sports powerhouse Kate Veronneau to the show for a preview of the first-ever FeistyFest in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. For Kate, the location is personal. The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is where she first fell in love with bike racing, found her cycling community, and eventually l...

Ever compare yourself to others on Strava? Feel yourself pushed to do more to hit a "streak" or online badge? This episode's for you. Sport psychology professor Dr. Hayley Russell dives into the upsides and pitfalls of fitness‑tracking apps like Strava. She explores how self‑tracking can boost motivation, community, and self‑awareness — but can also fuel comparison, pressure, and body‑image concer...

Dr. Rebecka Peebles and registered dietitian Nathalia Trees dive into the booming world GLP-1 medications and the complex intersection of weight loss, body size, eating disorders, and marketing. They unpack the rapid rise of these weight loss drugs, the scientific and ethical dilemmas for clinicians, and practical strategies for navigating weight loss treatments. Whether you're on GLP-1s right now...

What are the hidden costs of “toxic productivity?” And how does it sabotages women’s performance in their careers, relationships, and athletic endeavors? Psychotherapist, digital wellness expert, and author Israa Nasir, MHC-LP shares practical strategies to spot burnout, set healthy boundaries, and reclaim balance without sacrificing ambition. You'll leave with a clear roadmap to shift from relent...

You probably *think* you're eating enough. But are you? In today's episode, Dr. Erin Ayala talks with performance dietitian and eating‑disorder specialist Rebecca McConville about Low Energy Availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED‑S) — and how even athletes (especially female athletes!) who think they're fueling enough might not be for the amount of activity they're doing....

It's a taboo topic too often overlooked in women's cycling: saddle sores. Dr. Melissa Mauskar, a dermatologist specializing in vulvar health, unpacks the medical science behind saddle sores, debunks common myths, and offers practical advice for prevention and treatment. If you've ever Googled "saddle sore remedies" at 2 a.m., this episode is a must-listen—your comfort on the bike depends on it! Ke...

Eden Morris, a registered dietitian specializing in sports nutrition and intuitive eating counseling, is helping us dive into the culture of nutrition and fueling workouts — and how that can often lead to disordered eating. What is intuitive eating? It's learning to trust your body's cues and adapting a healthier mindset for *your* nutrition needs instead of sticking to rigid rules. Key Takeaways:...

Dr. LaTisha Bader, an expert in sport psychology and addiction counseling, goes deep with us into the complexities of cannabis use and its effects on mental health and athletic performance. With the rise in legal marijuana use and a growing number of questions about its impacts on health, what do you need to know? With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Bader shares her insights on how cannabis pote...

Dr. Briana Botsford, a naturopathic doctor and advocate for women's health, helps us dive deep this week into the world of predatory health and fitness marketing. How can you learn to recognize the misleading claims around proprietary blends in the supplement industry? How do you measure the evidence over the marketing hype? Key Takeaways: Understand how to identify and avoid predatory health mark...

Dr. Stephanie Mundt, a physical therapist and former collegiate runner, shares her expertise on bone health and the often-overlooked issue of bone stress injuries in female athletes. From her personal experiences with injuries and recovery, she provides valuable insights into what truly makes bones healthy and why many athletes suffer from misdiagnoses. Listeners will learn actionable strategies t...

In this episode, Dr. Margie Davenport, a leading expert in exercise during pregnancy and postpartum, dismantles long-held myths about training before, during, and after pregnancy. Dr. Davenport explains the significant physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and how they affect exercise safety and guidelines. And she dives into the evidence to support high-intensity training, and practic...

In this episode, we dive into the messy journey of transitioning away from a beloved sport with Dimity McDowell, an experienced athlete and author of The 27th Mile . How do you know when it's time to quit or move on? Dimity shares her personal struggles and triumphs in navigating her retirement from running, shedding light on the complex relationship between athletic identity and self-worth. And s...

In this episode, Dr. Kim Hollingdale, a renowned sport psychologist and owner of MOVEMENTAL, unpacks the damaging "no pain, no gain" mentality prevalent in sports culture. How does this outdated rhetoric lead to burnout in athletes? Gain valuable insights into prioritizing emotional health as a foundation for peak performance. Key takeaways: Understand the impact of "no pain, no gain" on mental he...

In this episode, Erin sits down with strength coach and Iron Soul Gym co-owner Cassi Niemann to challenge outdated narratives about women and strength training. Cassi shares her journey from elite gymnast to architect to strength coach, bringing a fresh perspective on how women can approach fitness without fear of "getting bulky" or feeling intimidated. And she has practical advice for any woman g...

In this episode, Staci Mannella and Dr. Andrea Bundon dive deep into the nuanced world of Paralympic sports. With the Paralympics starting this Friday, what do you need to know to learn from and support these amazing athletes? Manella and Dr. Bundon challenge common para-athlete misconceptions, discuss the vital guide-athlete relationship, and explore the structural barriers that still exist. Key...

80% of runners will deal with injuries at some point. So, what do you need to know about running injuries? And how can you nip those niggles in the butt? Physical therapist Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards explores the factors that contribute to this injury rate and how you can shift your perspective on athletic identity and injury prevention. Key Takeaways: The emotional attachment to running can influenc...

In this episode, we dive deep into the systemic barriers that women face (and still face!) in sports coaching with Dr. Nicole LaVoi, a leading expert in gender equity in sports. Despite the surge in female athlete participation since Title IX, why have women's coaching numbers significantly declined? And Dr. LaVoi shares actionable strategies for women navigating male-dominated environments. Key T...

On today's episode, we sit down with Mel Sulaver , a registered dietitian specializing in women's health and sports nutrition, to talk about all aspects of a woman's cycle — what does and doesn't show up, and what women should know about all the stages of their active lives. Mel dives deep into the topic of menstrual health for female athletes, and how understanding your cycle can enhance performa...

In this conversation with Dr. Allison Brager , military sleep researcher and human performance expert, we explore the science of sleep optimization. Dr. Brager debunks common sleep misconceptions, explains gender differences in sleep patterns, and shares practical strategies for maintaining sleep quality while traveling. Whether you're a competitive athlete or someone looking to just get some good...

In this special episode, your Feisty Women's Performance podcast host Dr. Erin Ayala brings together a group of experts on mental health to talk about the science and psychology of stress and collective trauma. Along with being a sports psychologist & therapist in her own right, Erin also lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota — which has been at the center of the news over the last month since it be...