How did you come to specialize in both eating disorders and sports nutrition?
I grew up in Dallas, Texas, where I was a competitive equestrian athlete, training full-time and traveling nationally to compete in hunter/jumper events and work with racehorses. At a young age, I began working with a sports dietitian and quickly recognized the critical role that nutrition plays in athletic performance, recovery, and long-term health. This early exposure not only influenced my personal athletic journey but also shaped my professional goals.
By high school, I had already developed a strong interest in sports nutrition and eating disorders. I launched Ride Fit Café, a small business that catered nutritious meals at equestrian events, and began pursuing independent research and coursework in these subject areas. I entered college with a clear focus: to become a dietitian specializing in the intersection of eating disorders and athletic performance.
I attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington, and completed the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. During my undergraduate studies, I concentrated my academic and practical experiences on this niche area. I pursued internships with athletic teams, private practices, and nutrition departments, gaining early, hands-on experience in both eating disorders and sports nutrition.
After completing my Dietetic Internship and becoming a Registered Dietitian, I returned to Dallas to begin my clinical career. I worked at a nationally recognized eating disorder treatment center across all levels of care, including residential, PHP, and IOP. I also led food service and nutrition programming at an inpatient mental health hospital. These roles provided me with foundational experience treating complex cases and working within multidisciplinary teams. During this time, I began pursuing the Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) credential, which further solidified my expertise in the field.
In 2018, I founded Nutrition DiscoveRD® with the goal of expanding access to quality, and specialized nutrition services in-person and virtually in underserved states across the country. Today, my practice provides individual and group counseling, consulting, presentations, and professional training. I obtained my CEDS credential and continued to deepen my specialization in eating disorders, particularly in athletes. Over the years, I have partnered with sports teams and organizations across various disciplines, gaining a broad range of experience in the intersection of performance, nutrition, and mental health. We collaborate closely with treatment teams.
As a CEDS-C, I provide clinical consultation, lead both in-person and virtual workshops and trainings for dietitians, mental health providers, physicians, athletic trainers, and coaches, and serve as a dietetic internship preceptor for those seeking specialization or a deeper understanding on how to best support athletes with disordered eating, RED-S, and eating disorders. I also have had the privilege of working with a wide range of athletic populations and currently serve as the dietitian for SMU Spirit, supporting their cheer and pom teams.
My professional work is guided by a deep commitment to high-quality compassionate care, ethical practice, and continued education. I remain passionate about increasing awareness, improving access to specialized services, and supporting the next generation of clinicians working at the intersection of performance nutrition and eating disorder recovery.
What types of athletes and eating disorders do you work with? Would you consider a hobby jogger an athlete?
I have extensive experience working hands-on with athletes across all levels, sports, and ages. This includes youth and recreational athletes, collegiate athletes, and professionals. My practice works with a diverse range of sports and performing arts disciplines; however, we see the highest prevalence of eating concerns among athletes in dance, gymnastics, cheer, equestrian sports, soccer, and endurance events such as marathons and triathlons. We also frequently support tennis players, golfers, swimmers, and volleyball players, as well as athletes in non-traditional or aesthetic-focused sports.
The severity of eating disorders we treat varies widely. Some clients present with subclinical or mild disordered eating patterns, often related to performance pressure or aesthetic demands which are, unfortunately, often normalized in sport. Others require a higher level of care due to more complex or severe eating disorders. We help identify these needs early, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and support individuals across the entire spectrum of care, from outpatient recovery to coordination with residential and inpatient programs.
Concerns often become more problematic when an athlete becomes increasingly rigid or compulsive with their training and nutrition, feeling like it is never enough. When athletic identity begins to overshadow one’s sense of self, and performance becomes tied to personal worth,the risk for physical injuries, RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), and the development of a clinical eating disorder rises significantly.
As for whether a “hobby jogger” counts as an athlete— yes, absolutely! If you are engaging in intentional movement, challenging your body, striving toward a physical goal, or pursuing physical improvement, you are an athlete. Whether you are running for fitness or training for races, you are actively pushing your body to perform, and RED-S and eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of skill level or competitive status.
What differences have you seen between treating EDs in the athletic vs general population?
Athletes are at higher risk of developing eating disorders due to a “perfect storm” of physical, psychological, environmental, and genetic factors. Beyond the obvious pressure to perform, certain sports emphasize body composition or weight classes, which can foster unhealthy body image concerns. These pressures are often compounded by societal expectations, where athletes might feel their athletic bodies do not fit the ideal image promoted in mainstream culture.
Athletes often possess traits such as drive, perfectionism, and competitiveness. These qualities may enhance performance in sport but can become harmful when applied rigidly to food and body image. Restriction may be framed as a way to “optimize” performance, although it ultimately compromises health and athletic outcomes.
Intense training can skew hunger cues, making it more difficult to recognize the need for fuel. Without proper nutrition education or access to adequate food, especially among younger athletes or those in low-resource settings, chronic underfueling can develop. Body changes during puberty, injury recovery, and fear of weight gain in the off-season can also trigger restrictive behaviors. Some athletes may cycle between restriction and behaviors such as bingeing, purging, or compulsive exercise in an effort to maintain control or improve performance.
Sport culture can further reinforce these patterns. Athletes may internalize a mindset of sacrificing health for success, making disordered behaviors feel normal or even admirable.
Treating eating disorders in athletes differs from the general population in key ways. Athletes may not view their behaviors as problematic, particularly if they are praised for their discipline, physique, or performance. Treatment must also address sport-specific factors such as training loads, injury risk, and return-to-play timelines, while navigating the athlete’s identity and self-worth, which may be closely tied to performance.
Finally, athletes often present with subtle or ‘normalized’ symptoms such as fatigue, injuries, digestive issues, amenorrhea, or performance decline, rather than dramatic weight loss. These signs are easily missed by coaches and support staff who may mistake them for dedication.Effective treatment requires a nuanced, collaborative approach that integrates an understanding of sport culture with medical, psychological, and nutritional care.
RED-S, LEA, male/female athlete triad, what do these terms mean? What is the difference between RED-S and energy deficiency in the general population?
Let’s break these terms down. LEA stands for Low Energy Availability, and RED-S stands for Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. These terms are connected but differ in severity and scope.
Low energy availability occurs when the energy consumed through food and drink is not enough to support the body’s needs for exercise, daily activities, and essential functions. This can happen to anyone; for example, skipping breakfast or eating only part of a meal. Occasional underfueling may not cause long-term harm, but consistently not meeting energy needs can lead to serious health issues, especially for athletes training multiple hours a day.
The Female Athlete Triad was an earlier model that described the effects of chronic low energy availability: disordered eating, irregular menstrual cycles, and a decrease in estrogen leading to low bone mineral density. However, this model was limited to female athletes and did not reflect the full range of health consequences or acknowledge that male athletes can also be affected.
Because of these limitations, the Triad is now considered outdated.
RED-S expanded on the Female Athlete Triad, highlighting the broader consequences of underfueling, affecting not just reproductive health and bone density but also other bodily systems like metabolism, immune function, cognitive health, cardiovascular health, and psychological well-being. It affects both male and female athletes, making it a more inclusive and comprehensive framework.
In contrast, energy deficiency in the general population typically refers to not consuming enough calories to meet basic physiological needs. While this can also lead to malnutrition and related health problems, it does not usually involve the same physical demands or the multi-system consequences seen in athletes. RED-S is specific to the athletic population and is shaped by the added stress of training and performance demands.
We’ve seen elite and Olympic-level athletes come out with an ED. From the outside, it’s surprising how they were able to reach such a high level while underfueling. Can you explain this?
It’s true that some elite and Olympic-level athletes have publicly shared their struggles with eating disorders (EDs) or disordered eating (DE), which can create the misconception that underfueling or restrictive eating might somehow contribute to their success. While these athletes may have reached extraordinary levels of performance despite their EDs, this does not mean that an eating disorder is involved in their success. In fact, it would have been even more remarkable to see what they could have achieved with proper fueling.
The reality is that eating disorders and disordered eating can have severe, often hidden impacts on the athlete’s body, performance, and daily routines. Just because an athlete appears “healthy” on the outside, by performing at a high level or maintaining a certain physique, doesn’t mean their body is functioning optimally beneath the surface. Disordered eating can impair metabolic function, slow recovery, and make it harder to maintain or improve performance over time. Reduced bone mineral density puts athletes at higher risk for fractures and long-term bone health issues. Hormonal imbalances, such as low estrogen in females or testosterone in males, can affect reproductive health and energy levels. Weakened immune function makes athletes more susceptible to illness, leading to more sick days. Mental fatigue, anxiety, and depression reduce focus, motivation, and drive, which are critical factors for high-level competition.
You may see the trophy they received, but you do not see the debilitating effects on their energy, mental health, and interference with daily activities. The truth is that eating disorders are harmful and affect much more than performance. Imagine not being able to enjoy family meals or social events, fearing eating in public, avoiding situations involving food due to guilt or anxiety, and no one noticing, further isolating the individual.
This is where a Registered Dietitian specializing in Eating Disorders (CEDS) comes in. We understand the link between nutrition and mental health, offering the guidance and support athletes need to overcome eating disorders and develop healthy habits that enhance performance and longevity. We focus on restoring mental clarity, helping break free from distorted beliefs, and promoting a healthier relationship with food. With our expertise, athletes can reach peak performance without sacrificing their health or well-being.
What training should one seek to work with eating disorders in athletic populations? Would you recommend acquiring the Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) or CEDS?
Working with athletes who have eating disorders is incredibly rewarding, but also complex. It truly requires specialized knowledge in both areas. Because of this, I believe it is important to intentionally seek out training and experience in both sports nutrition and eating disorders. This might include joining relevant professional organizations, attending workshops or conferences, or pursuing supervised clinical experience.
For newer registered dietitians or students interested in this population, I strongly encourage gaining experience in a higher level of care setting for eating disorders, where they can be supported by a multidisciplinary team. This allows for invaluable hands-on experience and supervision with more acute clients, which helps build a strong foundation. Similarly, if there is an opportunity to volunteer or shadow with a sports team during school or internship, I would recommend taking it. The more exposure one can get in both fields, the better.
When it comes to credentials such as the CEDS (Certified Eating Disorders Specialist) or CSSD (Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics), both are meaningful, and both take time to earn. I do recommend pursuing them if it is feasible, as they help demonstrate your commitment and expertise in these areas. However, I also want to acknowledge that there are very real barriers to obtaining these credentials. Cost can be a significant factor, although there has been improvement in recent years. Additionally, some individuals may feel that their values or professional philosophy do not fully align with the credentialing organizations.
What is most important is that anyone working with athletes who have eating disorders is deeply committed to ongoing education, seeks appropriate supervision, and stays within their scope of practice. Some of the most skilled, compassionate, and knowledgeable providers I know do not hold the CEDS or CSSD credentials. However, they are highly intentional about building and maintaining their expertise through continued learning and experience.
If you specialize in working with athletes, you may not have adequate training to support an athlete with an eating disorder. Likewise, if you specialize in eating disorders, you may not have the experience needed to guide an athlete through recovery and return to sport. It is critically important that whether or not you hold a credential, you consistently ask yourself, “Am I the best provider to support this client?” A sign of a strong clinician is knowing when to refer out in the best interest of the client, while remaining committed to learning and growing in those areas of limitation.
As a CEDS-C (Certified Eating Disorders Specialist-Consultant) myself, I am passionate about supporting others who want to grow in this space and believe strongly in the value of supervision and mentorship. If you are just starting out, I recommend beginning with the credential that aligns best with your current work environment and allows you to begin accruing hours. There is no single right path, but having solid guidance, education, and experience is essential for doing this work well.
How can one get a job working with eating disorders in the athletic population as this highly specialized role is not often advertised on job boards? Would you recommend searching for ED or sports positions?
This type of role is highly specialized and rarely listed as a stand-alone position, so it often requires creating your own path. For me, it was a long-standing passion. I intentionally sought out every opportunity to gain experience and education in both sports nutrition and eating disorders. That included continuing education, mentorship, case consultations, volunteering, and building relationships with professionals across both fields.
The first step is to identify your primary area of interest. If your passion lies in eating disorder treatment with a desire to work with athletes as a subset, focus on positions in eating disorder treatment settings and look for opportunities to connect with athletes within that context. On the other hand, if your goal is to work primarily in sports nutrition with the possibility of supporting athletes with eating disorders, then applying to general sports RD positions is a better fit.
Athletes in aesthetic, endurance, or weight-class sports are at particularly high risk for disordered eating, RED-S, and eating disorders—but these concerns exist in all sports. Educating yourself on how these issues show up in athletic populations will position you to better identify and support at-risk athletes, even in environments where this may not be a formal part of the role. You can advocate internally to provide athlete education on fueling, body image, and warning signs, or offer training for coaches and support staff to increase awareness and improve screening and referral practices.
If you are an eating disorder RD looking to work more with athletes, start by partnering with local sports teams, schools, athletic departments, or community organizations. Offer to provide workshops, consult on specific cases, or collaborate with athletic trainers and strength coaches. Begin with lower-level or youth athletes as you build confidence, experience, and credibility, and then grow into more advanced settings. Building a network and being visible in both the ED and sports spaces is key. Also, ongoing case consultation, supervision, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential in this work, given the unique challenges that come with treating athletes with eating disorders.
Fortunately, in recent years, there has been growing awareness around this intersection of sports nutrition and eating disorder treatment. A few eating disorder treatment programs have begun to specialize or offer dedicated tracks for athletes, providing more structured opportunities for professionals to gain experience in this area and for athletes to receive more tailored care.
This path is not always linear, and you may need to take initiative in blending these specialties yourself, but it is absolutely possible with intentional focus, networking, and continued education.
What classes and experiences should a student seek out if they want to work with eating disorders in the athletic population? Not all programs offer a sports nutrition rotation.
Start by reaching out to dietitians who specialize in sports nutrition, eating disorders, or both. Shadowing is a great way to confirm that this is a path you truly want to pursue, it takes time, dedication, and a strong interest in both specialties to do this work well.
Seek out as many learning opportunities as you can, including internships, volunteer work, research, webinars, and conferences. If your program offers a sports nutrition or eating disorder track, prioritize those courses and rotations. If not, be proactive. Contact local eating disorder treatment centers, private practices, or athletic departments to see if they offer internship or volunteer opportunities.
Even if you do not have access to in-person opportunities, you can still reach out to dietitians who offer telehealth services. They may be open to hosting virtual interns or allowing shadowing experiences.
Additionally, consider joining professional organizations such as IFEDD (International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians), IAEDP (International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals), and ASPDA (American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association), as well as your state dietetics association or local focus groups. These can provide education, mentorship, and community while helping you stay current on best practices in the field.
Most importantly, take initiative! This is a unique and growing niche, and you will likely need to create your own learning pathway. The more exposure you gain early on, the more prepared and connected you will be when transitioning into your career.
Sports dietetics is a highly competitive field due to its popularity. Does specializing in EDs allow someone to stand out amongst a pool of job applicants?
It is true that sports nutrition is a highly competitive and popular field. It is fast-paced, hands-on, social, and incredibly rewarding to see your work directly impact athletic performance. However, because so many students are drawn to it, having a specialization in eating disorders can help you stand out in a meaningful and strategic way.
Athletes are highly driven individuals who often strive for perfection. While this can push them to excel, it can also increase their risk of disordered eating, RED-S, or full-blown eating disorders. Unfortunately, nutrition often gets overlooked unless athletes truly understand how it can impact their performance, they have access to professionals trained to support them, and the resources to meet their needs.
An ED RD brings a unique and valuable skill set to a sports setting. Beyond performance fueling, eating disorder dietitians are trained to identify and treat complex relationships with food and body. They often take a more therapeutic approach, building strong rapport and creating a safe, nonjudgmental space that helps athletes feel more comfortable opening up. This is particularly important because many athletes may not initially recognize or disclose struggles with food or body image due to stigma, normalization within sport culture, or fear of being benched.
Additionally, ED RDs are trained to navigate the psychological aspects of nutrition, explore underlying beliefs or fears around food and body, support behavior change, and provide individualized tools like food exposures and education that go far beyond standard sports nutrition counseling.
As awareness grows around RED-S and disordered eating in athletics, organizations are increasingly recognizing the need to have clinicians on staff who are equipped to screen for and address these concerns. Having a strong foundation in both performance nutrition and eating disorder treatment positions you to meet the athlete’s needs which is incredibly valuable in this field.