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The Period Recovery PodcastAuthor: Cynthia Donovan Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Nutrition Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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The Hidden Eating Disorder in Athletes: Why It Can Show Up in Midlife with Betsy Brenner
Episode 115
Wednesday, 5 August, 2026
What happens when your identity has always been tied to being an athlete?In this deeply meaningful conversation, Cynthia sits down with former Division I tennis player, author, speaker, and eating disorder advocate Betsy Brenner to discuss how years of perfectionism, athlete identity, and a lifetime of "earning" food eventually led to an eating disorder in midlife.Betsy shares how returning to competitive tennis in her 40s reignited old beliefs around body image, discipline, and performance. When severe asthma suddenly prevented her from exercising, her fear of weight gain intensified, eventually leading to a diagnosis of anorexia.Together, Cynthia and Betsy explore why so many women unknowingly carry athlete mindsets long after competitive sports end—and why healing requires so much more than changing what's on your plate.In this episode you'll learn:• Why eating disorders don't only happen to teenagers• How athlete identity can shape your relationship with food for decades• The connection between perfectionism, anxiety, and overexercise• Why many women feel they must "earn" their food• How movement can become a coping mechanism instead of self-care• The role vulnerability plays in recovery• Why aging and body changes can trigger disordered eating• How parents can model healthier relationships with food and exercise• Why recovery is about far more than weight restorationOne of the most powerful messages from this episode is that it's never too late to become a work in progress. Betsy's story offers hope for any woman who has spent years believing her worth depends on performance, discipline, or the number on the scale.Connect with Betsy BrennerBetsy Brenner is the author of The Longest Match: Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Midlife, a speaker, peer mentor, and advocate helping women find freedom from eating disorders and perfectionism.Website: www.betsybrenner.comInstagram: @betsybrennerauthorIf this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another woman who needs the reminder that healing is always possible.Apply for Recipe for a Period coaching w/Cynthia: https://www.periodnutritionist.com/applyforcoachingNew to HA? Discover the truth about HA: click the link to download Cynthia's fact sheet that debunks common myths and misinformation! Trying +3 months to get your period back? Click here to download the Safety WorksheetYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theperiodnutritionist Instagram: www.instagram.com/period.nutritionist
