Project Unlaced

What does it mean to bring the power of play to mental health care?

In this episode of the Project Unlaced Podcast, Mia sits down with Mehek Mohan, co-founder of Kahani, an AI-powered companion to improve users’ relationships with food and their bodies. Drawing from her background in molecular biology at UC Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford, Mehek discusses the lessons that shaped her path from scientific research to entrepre...

Eating disorders are often misunderstood as a “women’s issue,” leaving countless boys and men struggling in silence.

In this episode of Project Unlaced, Mia Lerner sits down with clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School lecturer Dr. Roberto Olivardia to discuss the realities of eating disorders in men, the rise of muscle dysmorphia, and how social media and fitness culture are shaping body image today.

Toget...

In this conversation, Diya Mankotia, founder of EDSA, shares her personal journey with eating disorders and how it inspired her to advocate for mental health awareness among youth. She discusses the challenges of starting a youth-led organization, the importance of outreach, and the need for more support in schools. Diya emphasizes the significance of relationships in recovery and offers valuable advice for aspiring advocates. She ...

In this episode of Project Unlaced, Mia Lerner interviews Christie Dondero Bettwy, the executive director of Rock Recovery, who shares her personal journey through eating disorders and recovery. Christie discusses the complexities of eating disorders, the importance of seeking help, and the mission of Rock Recovery to provide accessible treatment. The conversation also touches on leadership challenges in nonprofits, misconceptions ...

In this episode of Project Unlaced, we’re joined by Erica Mulholland, a certified speed, agility, and strength coach and former Hall of Fame soccer player. Erica shares how her journey from elite athlete to coach shaped her mission to help young female athletes train smarter, stay healthy, and build confidence.

Erica’s Athletic Journey

Erica reflects on her path from youth soccer to semi-professional play in the U.S. and...

In this episode of Project Unlaced, we sit down with Jason Wood, Director of Community Engagement at ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders), to talk about eating disorders, recovery, and breaking long-standing stigma—especially for men.

Jason shares his personal journey with orthorexia, including how weight-based bullying, perfectionism, and diet culture fueled over 20 years of disordered ea...

In this episode of Project Unlaced, we sit down with Maegha Ramanathan, founder of Girls for Sports, a youth-led nonprofit working to combat gender inequality in sports. Founded when Maegha was just 13 years old, Girls for Sports has since grown to over 25 chapters, mobilized 1,500+ youth volunteers, and donated 10,500+ pieces of sports equipment worldwide.

Maegha shares her journey as a multi-sport athlete and the moment she notice...

In this episode of Project Unlaced, we’re joined by Hailey Goforth, a high school senior and the founder of the Crowded Minds Project. Hailey shares her personal journey with ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and emetophobia, and opens up about how therapy, medication, and a strong support system helped her through some of her lowest moments.

We dive into what inspired her to start the Crowded Minds Project, how sharing her story online bec...

In this episode, we're joined by Cami Merickel, a Division I runner for Nebraska Track & Field / Cross Country. Cami shares her journey from growing up in Phoenix and playing soccer to competing at the collegiate level and serving as a team captain.

We talk about navigating the recruiting process during COVID, adjusting to the demands of Division I training, and overcoming injuries and confidence setbacks. Cami also dives into h...

Dr. Nicky Keay explains how the body conserves energy much like we do in daily life: slowing down with an empty petrol tank or using low-power mode on a phone. She connects these examples to metabolic rate, hormonal shifts, and how low energy availability can progress into REDs.

Key Takeaways

• The body reduces metabolic rate when energy is low, similar to low-power mode.
• Hormones act as signals, adjusting processes like thyroid fun...

Sports dietitian and endurance athlete Stevie Lyn Smith joins host Mia Lerner to share her journey into triathlon, her evolving philosophy on nutrition, and the inspiration behind her new book Power Up. She discusses how young women can build a healthier, more empowering relationship with food, body image, and performance.

Key Takeaways

• Athletes can easily under-fuel when training volume increases without a matching nutrition inc...

In this episode, sports dietitian and author Rebecca McConville joins us to break down the realities of eating disorder recovery, athlete underfueling, and the path toward a healthier relationship with food, movement, and performance. She shares practical, compassionate strategies for healing and for understanding the body’s true needs.

Takeaways:

• Many athletes underfuel without realizing it.
• Rest and self-care are key to su...

In this episode, Candace Lindenzweig shares her personal journey through eating disorders, perfectionism, and the path to recovery while exploring her work in counseling. She highlights the importance of self-validation, supportive relationships, and mindful engagement with social media for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.

Takeaways

• Safe spaces and supportive relationships are crucial for mental health and recovery.
• Ea...

In this episode, registered dietitian Alyssa Leib shares her journey into the world of nutrition and her discovery of the anti-diet philosophy. She discusses the dangers of diet culture, the misconceptions around processed foods, and how athletes can cultivate a more compassionate, intuitive relationship with food and their bodies.

Takeaways

• The anti-diet philosophy centers on holistic health and body acceptance rather than restr...

Lynsie Gram, a registered dietitian specializing in sports medicine, shares her journey from college running to nutrition coaching. In this episode, she breaks down how proper fueling impacts performance and recovery, especially for young and female athletes.

Takeaways:

• Nutrition is essential for optimizing athletic performance and recovery.
• Common fueling mistakes include under-eating, skipping carbs, and neglecting post-workout ...

Dr. Megan Hellner, a clinician specializing in eating disorders and sports nutrition, unpacks the connection between fueling, mental health, and performance in athletes. She explains what REDs really is and why understanding it matters.

Key Takeaways:

• REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency) is a medical condition distinct from eating disorders.
• Regular, balanced eating supports performance and hormones.
• The menstrual cycle is a powerful ...

Molly Hurford, an endurance athlete, author, and founder of Strong Girl Publishing, shares her journey to becoming a voice for women in sports. She opens up about body image, nutrition, and the importance of storytelling and visibility in empowering young female athletes.

Takeaways

• Balancing multiple roles as an athlete, author, and advocate takes intention and self-awareness.
• Young female athletes need better education around nut...

In this episode, collegiate runner Ellie Hanowski from the University of Minnesota Duluth opens up about her evolution from a young hockey player to a dedicated cross-country and track athlete. Ellie shares how her love for running developed, what the recruitment process was like, and how college competition reshaped her perspective on training and identity. She discusses the challenges of fueling, body image, and mental health, as...

In this conversation, Emily Arthur, a registered dietitian, shares her journey from traditional dietetics to focusing on menstrual health. She discusses the pervasive shame and confusion surrounding women's health, particularly in relation to diet culture and social media. Emily emphasizes the importance of understanding conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, advocating for better education and awareness around menstrual health. T...