Hey there,
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You’ve been training consistently for months. Early morning workouts? Check. ✅ Long runs on the weekend? Done. ✅ You’ve put in the miles, the intervals, the recovery sessions. You’re committed to your sport.
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Here’s what is also true for a number of athletes:
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👉🏻They’ve spent hours trying to find gear that actually fits their body.
👉🏻They’ve had someone assume they’re “just starting out” based on how they look, even though they’ve been racing for years.
👉🏻They’ve scrolled through race photos only to realize they’re the only person who looks like them in the entire gallery.
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And maybe, just maybe, they’ve wondered if they really belong in this sport at all.
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Here’s what I want you to know: They belong! You belong! We all belong!
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And if you’re reading this thinking, “This isn’t about me,” it’s even more important for you to keep reading. Because whether you’ve personally experienced these barriers or not, understanding them makes you a better teammate, training partner, and community member.
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One of the most damaging assumptions in endurance sports is that athletes in larger bodies participate primarily for weight loss. Frankly, this assumption needs to end. 🛑
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Here’s why:
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Research shows that intrinsic motivation, doing something because it’s inherently rewarding, leads to better long-term performance than extrinsic motivation (like running solely to lose weight).
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When someone assumes your goal is weight loss (or when YOU internalize that assumption), it can shift your entire relationship with training.
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Instead, we want you (yes! all of you!) to focus on:
✅ Building strength and endurance
✅ Achieving process goals
✅ The mental health benefits of movement
✅ The joy of competition and community
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When we start measuring success by body changes instead of actual athletic progress, it becomes a recipe for burnout instead of sustainable performance.
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Here’s what many athletes in larger bodies navigate that affects their mental game:
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​The Gear Struggle: When standard athletic gear doesn’t fit, it becomes a constant reminder that this space wasn’t “designed” for them. That mental tax affects confidence and focus.
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​The Assumption Tax: Constantly having to prove their experience level, explain their goals, or justify their presence takes cognitive energy away from actual performance.
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​The Representation Gap: When they never see bodies like theirs succeeding in their sport, imposter syndrome hits harder. Their brain has to work overtime to believe they belong.
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​The Advocacy Burden: Having to constantly speak up about barriers, advocate for their needs, or educate others is exhausting—and it’s emotional labor that athletes in smaller bodies rarely have to do.
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This mental load is REAL. And it affects performance.
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​What You Can Do Right Now (Yes, You!)

Whether you’re personally affected by these barriers or you want to be a better ally, here are practical steps you can take TODAY:
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​1️⃣ Check Your Own Assumptions
​Next time you’re in a group ride or run, notice your internal reactions when a new person shows up. Are you making assumptions about their pace, experience, or goals based on appearance? Challenge those assumptions. Everyone there earned their place by showing up.
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​2️⃣ Speak Up When It Matters
​If you hear comments about someone’s body or assumptions about their goals, you don’t need to give a lecture. Sometimes a simple “Hey, that’s not cool” or “They’re here for the same reasons we are” is enough.
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​3️⃣ Be Mindful During Regrouping
​If your training group regroups during runs or rides, pay attention to whether everyone gets equal rest time. The athlete who just worked harder to catch up needs recovery before you roll out again.
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​4️⃣ Advocate for Better
​Choose races and events that keep finish lines open for all participants. Support brands that offer size-inclusive gear. Share race photos and stories that represent the full spectrum of athletes in your community.
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​5️⃣ Reconnect With YOUR “Why”
​Regardless of your body size, take a moment to reflect: Why do YOU do this sport? Is it for the challenge? The community? The mental clarity?
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Keeping your intrinsic motivation front and center protects you from burnout and keeps training joyful.
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Creating size-inclusive spaces isn’t just about being nice. It’s about removing psychological barriers that prevent talented athletes from reaching their potential. When athletes can show up without the mental load of proving they belong, without the cognitive tax of constant advocacy, without fighting imposter syndrome at every turn? THAT’S when we see what they’re truly capable of. And when we build communities where diverse bodies are celebrated, everyone benefits.
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Because talent, dedication, and competitive drive aren’t determined by body composition. Athleticism comes in all sizes. Period. 💯
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I want to hear from you: If you’ve experienced these barriers yourself, what’s one thing you wish your training partners understood?
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​Hit reply and let me know. I read every response, and these conversations matter. 💙
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And if you want to dive deeper into the research on intrinsic motivation, the psychological impact of weight stigma in sports, and specific strategies for building more inclusive communities (including what event organizers and coaches need to know), I wrote a full blog post about it.

🎙️This week on the Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast…

Dr. LaTisha Bader dives deep into the evolving landscape of cannabis and its impact on mental health and athletic performance. She reveals how modern cannabis is eight times more potent than what previous generations experienced, and why this matters for women athletes. Don’t miss this empowering conversation—tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
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Til next time,
Dr. A

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