Eating Disorders & RED-S in Athletes Speaker
Eating Disorders and RED-S in Sport: Education with Care and Lived Experience
I’m a speaker specialising in eating disorders and RED-S in sport, bringing together lived experience as an ultra-endurance athlete, counsellor, and a deep understanding of athlete psychology.
I work with sports clubs, performance programmes, universities and schools to deliver education that is honest, safe and non-triggering. My talks support athletes, coaches and organisations to understand risk without fear, and to create environments where wellbeing is protected alongside performance.
As an AuDHD woman and endurance athlete, I understand the intensity, identity and pressure that often shape sporting culture and how easily harmful patterns can be mistaken for dedication or commitment.
Why This Topic Matters in Sport
Eating disorders and RED-S are common in sport, yet frequently missed or misunderstood. Many behaviours associated with risk are praised, reinforced or normalised, making it difficult for athletes to recognise when something is wrong.
RED-S affects far more than performance. It can impact mood, hormones, recovery, cognition, identity and emotional wellbeing. Many athletes don’t recognise these changes until they are deeply unwell, particularly when they are still training or competing successfully.
My lived experience gives me insight into this reality in a way textbooks cannot, and my counselling training ensures these conversations are held with care, ethics and psychological safety.
What I Speak About
I speak about how eating disorders can develop subtly in sporting environments, particularly where perfectionism, identity and pressure intersect. I explore how neurodivergence can increase vulnerability, and why high-achieving athletes are often the least likely to be flagged early.
When speaking about RED-S, I offer a gentle, non-medical explanation that focuses on emotional, psychological and identity impact as much as physical health. I talk about why athletes often don’t recognise RED-S, how it shows up beyond weight or appearance, and what early warning signs can look like in real life.
A key part of my work is supporting culture change. I speak to coaches, parents and staff about language, expectations and communication, and how small shifts can make environments significantly safer for athletes.
Who I Speak To
I work with youth and adult sports clubs, elite performance programmes, universities and colleges, schools, running and endurance communities, and multidisciplinary teams including coaches, physiotherapists and strength and conditioning staff.
Why Organisations Book Me
Organisations book me because I offer a rare combination of lived experience and counselling-informed understanding. My delivery is trauma-aware, non-triggering and grounded in real athletic experience.
Athletes leave these sessions feeling supported rather than frightened. Coaches and staff leave with clarity, confidence and practical understanding that goes beyond surface-level education.
What Audiences Take Away
Athletes gain understanding, compassion for their bodies and minds, and reassurance that they are not alone. Coaches and staff gain confidence in recognising concerns early and having supportive conversations without increasing shame or fear. Parents gain insight into subtle emotional distress and how to approach it safely.
My Speaking Style
My speaking style is honest, grounded and respectful. I combine lived-experience storytelling with clear, accessible education, always prioritising psychological safety and inclusivity.
These sessions are suitable for both young people and adults, and are delivered with professionalism and safeguarding awareness.
Formats
I offer keynote talks, longer workshops, coach and staff training sessions, athlete wellbeing sessions, panels, Q&A discussions, and school or university-based programmes. All formats are adapted carefully to context and audience.
Why I Speak About This
I speak about eating disorders and RED-S in sport because athletes deserve emotional protection as much as physical training. My own journey through endurance sport, identity disruption and recovery showed me how damaging silence can be and how powerful informed, compassionate environments can be.
This work is about reducing shame, increasing safety, and ensuring athletes are supported as whole humans.
Booking & Availability
I’m available for in-person and online events. All sessions are tailored by age, sport and performance level, with pre-event planning calls included.
Get Started
If you’re looking for a speaker who brings lived insight, psychological understanding and safe, meaningful education on eating disorders and RED-S in athletes, I’d love to support your event.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. My talks are designed to be non-triggering, non-graphic and psychologically safe. Content is carefully framed to reduce harm, avoid behavioural detail and prioritise compassion and understanding.
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No. I avoid numbers, methods and specific behaviours. The focus is on emotional, psychological and identity-related aspects of eating disorders and RED-S rather than on physical metrics.
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Yes. I regularly speak to youth athletes and school-aged audiences. Content is adapted carefully based on age, sport and safeguarding requirements, with appropriate language and pacing.
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RED-S is explained in a non-clinical, accessible way. I focus on how it shows up emotionally, psychologically and behaviourally, alongside its impact on health and performance, rather than medical detail.
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No. Audience members are never asked to disclose personal experiences. Sessions are reflective and educational, not participatory in a way that pressures sharing.