Binge Eating Is Normalized in Powerlifting… But Should It Be? (with Malisa Nguyen, RD, LD

Binge eating isn’t just something that happens when you’re stressed out with a pint of ice cream; it’s often built into the culture of certain sports.

I'm sitting down with fellow dietitian and strength coach Malisa Nguyen, RD (founder of Strength and Intent) to pull back the curtain on how binge eating and disordered eating are normalized in the world of powerlifting — and what athletes and coaches can do differently.

TOPICS COVERED:

• 🏋️‍♀️ The hidden side of powerlifting nutrition — why “making weight” often comes at the expense of health
• 🍔 Binge eating after weigh-ins — how it’s normalized, glamorized, and why it can be harmful long-term
• 🧠 Recovery & physique goals — can you pursue fat loss or body composition changes after disordered eating without relapsing?
• 💬 The power of intention — why your why matters more than the macros
• 👭 Support systems — how coaches, dietitians, and community can make or break an athlete’s relationship with food

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or just someone who wants to know if you can pursue fitness goals without sliding back into old food struggles — this conversation is a game-changer.

JUMP TO:

01:08 – How Malisa went from business major → dietitian

05:47 – Growing up with mixed food/body messages (clean your plate… but don’t get fat 🙃)

10:22 – Can you actually chase fitness goals without wrecking your head?

15:03 – The messy middle of recovery + learning to eat without tracking every bite

21:32 – Realizing “oh wait, I get to decide what’s best for me”

23:06 – Why you still need people in your corner (even if you’re a pro)

27:57 – Powerlifting has a binge eating problem… let’s talk about it

35:13 – How to fuel smart for performance instead of last-minute crash diets

37:21 – Building a community that doesn’t glamorize disordered eating

📲 CONNECT WITH MALISA:

• Instagram: Malisa Nguyen
• Instagram: Strength & Intent
• Website: Strength and Intent
• Nutrition for Powerlifters Course
  
  

💡 Ready to quiet the food noise, stop binge eating, and build a healthy relationship with food? Grab my free mini-course: The Binge Free Blueprint

Tap me to send anonymous feedback

Support the show

LEARN MORE
🔥 My Signature 4-Month Program, Nourished & Free®
📲 Follow me on Instagram (you'll get to know me pretty quickly!)
📖 Check out my Blog for tons of helpful articles

SHOW SOME LOVE
⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts or Spotify (thank you!)
💌 Help me make more episodes!
💰 Support the Show