Dear Athlete,

 

As a female athlete, you might be feeling hopeless. I totally get it.

 

Injury, playing time, not performing how you want…whatever the reason may be, we sometimes struggle to find our worth in our sport. You might be feeling frustrated, and maybe you’re feeling a lot of the pressure. Whatever it may be…I guarantee you are not alone.

 

It’s time to come together as female athletes, to switch the mindset that thinner is faster; to switch the mindset that our self-worth is based on the times we run, the places we get, and the food we do/don’t eat.

 

Here is another note from one of our own. Someone who gets you…someone who has been there…someone who’s had their sport ripped from them because they didn’t nourish their body with the nutrients it needed, and someone who is sharing their story:

Female Athlete Testimonial #2:

 

“It is coming up on the one year anniversary of being diagnosed with two femoral stress fractures and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S)–the exact date being August 19, 2020. Shockingly, this was the best thing to ever happen to me. Though, it definitely didn’t feel that way in the moment…

 

All that pain–phiscially, but more so mentally. I endured months upon months of learning lessons, months upon months of battles in my mind.

 

The hardest part was the mental side of things.”

 

For a while it all felt physical–the cross training to maintain shape, physical therapy, the forced weight gain, the mission to get my period–but the hardest part was the mental side of things. In the moment I felt like I was at rock bottom, but I believe that rock bottoms don’t necessarily exist…it always feels as if there could be a rockier bottom.

  I had to learn the lesson the hard way”

 

This injury is that new lowest point. It occurred, of course, after a cumulation of years. Most of those years also consisted of being at “low points”…Extreme restriction, body dysmorphia, false beliefs that I needed to be as small as possible to be faster flooded my mind.  I had to learn my lesson the hard way…a way that ultimately meant cracking the biggest bone in my body, twice.

 

The old me would’ve never thought she would have a healthy relationship with food or running again. She didn’t want to recover, as all she would consume was fear.

 

But the new me isn’t like that. The person I am now. I can finally identify with my bracelet that reads: “Fearless”. I may look physically different from the old me, but the mental change is more outstanding.  The new me is strong, fearless. I used to take the stories and photos of others who were struggling, to get sicker, rather than to truly see their growth.

 

I can finally identify with my bracelet that reads: “fearless”.”

 

Now, I find inspiration from the resilience and newfound confidence of those who have recovered. The new individuals they became because of it. I still struggle everyday, and the thoughts haven’t completely disappeared.

 

Running every morning in a sports bra is a challenge with the thoughts that I may look different now. However, a change in weight is much less significant than the optimistic, fearless, and powerful individual I have become. I am everything I used to NOT be.

 

I have regained control over my narrative,”

 

The old me could never be a school record holder or a Meet Of Champion qualifier. Only the healthy and happy version I am now did those things. I’ve focused on being my best self while inspiring others to find their power, too.

 

I am beyond grateful I have regained control over my narrative, and to use my story to help others write theirs.”

 

-Anonymous

(Track/XC Female Athlete)

 

 

 

Thank you for reading. And if this resonates or if you have a story you want to share, send me a DM or even email it to me. Type it in your notes app, write it on paper, free text it…whatever format is best! I’ll be sure to keep it anonymous (if that’s what you prefer) and post it under the Testimonial page. Female Athlete Testimonial posts are updated weekly.

 

Your story matters. Your experience may be unique…but many people will relate, and they need to hear what you have to share. Let me be the bridge between your story and getting your words out to the world.

 

Have you listened to the podcast yet?! If not, listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

 

 

Check out where my “Dear Running,” episode is located; click here and listen!