A conversation with Melissa, PhD Candidate & Collaborative Health Advocate
Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode, we sit down with Melissa, a passionate researcher and advocate for female athlete health, currently pursuing her PhD with a focus on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). Melissa’s work is rooted in her personal journey as a young girl in sports. Starting with her love for soccer, Melissa discovered her natural talent for cross-country running in high school. Yet, like so many girls in sports, she faced pressure to conform to fitness standards, developed an under-fueled routine, and struggled to find clear answers to support her physical and mental well-being.
Melissa shares her story of growing up with older sisters who were also athletes, giving her a unique perspective on menstruation, competition, and the challenges of puberty as a female athlete. Despite this early comfort with topics like menstruation, she found herself—and her peers—unprepared for the deeper complexities that come with being a female athlete in a culture that often prioritizes appearance over health.
Now, Melissa channels these experiences into her research, where she’s tackling critical questions about fueling, bone health, and the mental toll of being undernourished. Her evidence-based findings reveal the serious impact of REDs, from declining athletic performance to long-term health issues like low bone density, brain fog, and mental health struggles. She’s also passionate about bringing these conversations to coaches, parents, and athletes to create a healthier, more informed sporting environment for girls and women.
We Covered:
Melissa's Journey in Sport:
Transition from soccer to competitive cross-country running.
Challenges faced with body image and food relationships as a young athlete.
Understanding RED-S:
What is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport?
Long-term implications for athletes, including bone health and mental clarity.
The Menstrual Cycle and Athletic Performance:
Why menstruation matters for female athletes.
Tips for athletes and coaches to foster open discussions and normalize menstrual health.
Revolutionizing Research in Female Athlete Health:
Impact of historical exclusion of women in sports science studies.
Highlights from the latest findings on transdermal 17β-estradiol and cyclic oral progesterone for bone density improvement
.
Practical Tips for Coaches and Athletes:
Using intake surveys to normalize menstruation tracking.
Encouraging athletes to communicate symptoms effectively.
Key Takeaways:
Fitness is not a “look”; it is a measure of physical capabilities and health.
Periods are a natural and critical aspect of health for female athletes.
Proactive approaches like proper fueling and awareness can prevent RED-S and support long-term performance.
Resources Mentioned:
Research study on estrogen replacement improving bone density.
Tips for fostering healthier coach-athlete communication.
Follow Melissa:
Learn more about her research and advocacy work through her website CollaborativeHealth & Wellness.
https://www.instagram.com/fed_collaborative/
https://www.instagram.com/peac_train_like_a_girl/