47: Dakotah Popehn: The Road to the Paris Olympics

In this candid conversation, Dakotah Popehn shares her journey from hockey goalie to Olympic Trials marathoner, but the heart of this episode goes deeper than training.She opens up about how disordered eating can spread through women’s teams “like cancer,” quietly shaping what athletes believe is normal. While that culture swirled around her, Dakotah kept her head down and stayed hungry to compete, not to shrink.She discusses fueling for performance, adapting to different race climates, preparing for the Olympic Trials, and why her future plans and goals as a 2024 Olympian. 00:00 Introduction and Minnesota Pride02:52 Training Preferences and Cold Weather Gear05:46 Transition from Hockey to Running08:37 Long-Term Growth and Injury Prevention11:24 The Olympic Dream and Career Aspirations14:25 Nutrition and Fueling Mistakes16:52 Fasted Running and Its Implications20:35 Navigating Life as an Athlete and Professional21:52 Heat Acclimatization for Olympic Trials23:57 Nutrition Strategies for Endurance Racing26:12 Carb Loading: Myths and Realities28:35 The Emotional Journey of Competing29:52 Training Adjustments for Paris Marathon30:20 Pre-Race Rituals and Fueling32:27 Taylor Swift: The Soundtrack of Training35:30 Future Goals and Aspirations37:56 Empowering Women in Endurance SportsConnect with Dakotah:Dakotah’s InstagramDakotah’s StravaThis episode of Endurance Eats is brought to you by Alex Larson’s 1:1 Nutrition Coaching.If you’ve ever wondered, Am I eating enough? Am I fueling this right? Why do I still feel tired? you’re not alone. Alex Larson Nutrition helps endurance athletes cut through the confusion and build a fueling plan that actually works for their training, lifestyle, and goals.You can learn more at alexlarsonnutrition.com.This episode is brought to you by Thorne. Shop Thorne Supplements and get 15% off Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Apply for 1:1 Coaching with an ALN Dietitian https://alexlarsonnutrition.comFREE Athlete Fueling GuideTailwind Nutrition Dakotah Talks aboutConnect with Me:Instagram: @alexlarsonnutritionWebsite: alexlarsonnutrition.comDon’t Forget to Subscribe!Click that follow button to stay updated on future episodes packed with actionable insights and expert advice for endurance athletes.Have Questions or Suggestions?Send me a message, and I might cover it in a future episode!