Puberty, power and progress with Dr Stacy Sims

In this episode of Untidy, Matilda and Hannah are joined by internationally renowned exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Dr Stacy Sims — a trailblazer on a mission to revolutionise how women train, eat, and perform.

Known for her viral TED Talk “Women Are Not Small Men”, bestselling book Roar, and over 100 peer-reviewed papers, Stacy has dedicated her career to closing the gender gap in sports science. In this conversation, she dives into the often-overlooked physiological and emotional challenges girls face during puberty — challenges that are too often misunderstood or ignored, causing many to lose confidence and drop out of sport.

With her new course NEXT GEN, Stacy is focused on educating coaches and parents to better support developing girls. She explores how puberty impacts performance, confidence, and injury risk, and why it’s crucial to rethink how we train and talk to our daughters. From the damaging effects of language like “girl pushups” and “sissy squats,” to the ripple effects of diet culture and uniform design, Stacy highlights the changes we need to make — and how to do it.

This episode is a rallying cry to shift the culture around girls’ health, sport, and self-image — and to give them the tools, language, and support they deserve.

Links and resources discussed in the show:

• Dr Stacy Sims – Courses & Resources
• Follow Dr Stacy Sims @drstacysims.
• Book: Roar by Dr Stacy Sims
• Book: Welcome to Your Period – Yumi Stynes & Dr. Melissa Kang
• Where to watch: Girls Can’t Surf – Documentary
• Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival On Demand

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