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 foodWhether 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 → dietitian05:47 – 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 bite21:32 – 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 it35:13 – How to fuel smart for performance instead of last-minute crash diets37:21 – Building a community that doesn’t glamorize disordered eating📲 CONNECT WITH MALISA:Instagram: Malisa NguyenInstagram: Strength & IntentWebsite: Strength and IntentNutrition 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 BlueprintSend an anonymous love note, or suggest a future episode!Support the showLEARN 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!)🏷️ Show me you're listening by tagging me on socials! @yatesnutrition