Hi Reader,
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Okay, story time! 👀
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Last month, I raced the YWCA Minneapolis Women’s Triathlon, and placed 2nd out of 167 women in my age group. I qualified for nationals. I felt STRONG 💪.
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Then the race photos dropped. And my first thought was… “Ugh, I hate how big I look in that tri kit.” 🫠
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Not “wow, look at that performance.” Not “holy crap, I’m going to nationals.” Just…my body size.
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I’m a sport psychologist. I literally teach people about diet culture for a living. I know better. And STILL. My brain went straight there.
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If you’ve ever crushed a workout or race, then immediately zoomed in on how your legs looked or whether your stomach was flat enough in the finishing photo: Hi, welcome, you’re in good company. 💙
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Here’s what I need you to know (and what I keep reminding myself!): BOTH things can be 100% true at the same time.
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​👉You can have your best race ever and still cringe at the photos.
👉You can know everything about diet culture and still get caught in its grip.
This isn’t a you problem. It’s a culture problem.
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Research shows female athletes struggle with body image way more than those who aren’t athletes, especially in sports with tight uniforms or “race weight” talk. (Triathlon? Oh, HELLO!)
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So what actually helps when you’re staring at a race photo and spiraling? Here’s the strategy that’s been saving me:
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​🎯 Redirect to function.
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​Instead of asking “how do I look?” ask: What did my body DO today?
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​My body, the one I wasn’t vibing with in the photo…
🏊‍♀️swam 500m
🚴‍♀️biked 25K
🏃‍♀️ran 5K
and placed 2nd out of 167 30-39 year old women. THAT body did all of that. 💪
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Focusing on what your body can do instead of what it looks like? The fact that I even noticed my reaction is a major win. The fact that I can hold both truths (crushed the race + struggled with the photos) is also major. The fact that I’m talking about it openly? Let’s goooooo. 🔥
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In other words, you’re allowed to have breakthrough performances and still have tough body image days. You’re allowed to be an expert and still be affected by all of the noise and the nonsense. You’re allowed to know all the right things and still struggle.
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The work always continues. And honestly? You’re crushing it.
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​Ready for the other strategies? 👀 I’m breaking down the full science of why diet culture is so sticky (even when you know better), PLUS the three other research-backed strategies I use when race photos hit different.

💚What's Happening inside the Skadi Community:​
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Speaking of diet culture and body image... this is EXACTLY what we're tackling in our November challenge inside the Skadi Community!🎉 After I shared this story with our members, they voted on the November challenge, and this topic won by a landslide. If you've been wanting a supportive space to work through this stuff with other athletes who get it, now's your time. Learn more about joining the Skadi Community here!​
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Plus there are only a few days left to join us for Jen Kates' live session on Friday, September 25th at 3pm EDT inside the Skadi Community! Jen's an expert in nervous system regulation, and to tie up our September challenge she's helping us understand the restless exhaustion cycle that keeps so many high-achieving athletes stuck. We'll explore practical strategies for setting boundaries, regulating your system, and giving yourself permission to rest without earning it first.

Til next time,
Dr. A

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