EPISODE #169: From Disordered Eating to Running Strong: Fueling for Performance with Nicole Dobransky

In this episode of RUNWITHALLI LIVE, Coach Alli sits down with Nicole Dobransky, run coach, certified endurance nutrition coach, and founder of Run Fuel Coaching for an honest conversation about nutrition, performance, and helping women thrive both on and off the run.Nicole shares her inspiring journey from struggling with weight and disordered eating to building a healthier relationship with food, fitness, and running. Together, Alli and Nicole discuss why proper fueling is essential for performance, recovery, longevity, and overall health, especially for women over 35 balancing careers, family, and ambitious running goals.The conversation dives into Nicole's coaching philosophy, her Run Fuel program, and how sustainable nutrition habits can lead to improved race performance, increased confidence, and positive changes in body composition without restrictive dieting. They also explore the importance of strength training, realistic goal setting, and embracing the season of life you're in while continuing to pursue your big running dreams.Whether you're training for your first 5K, chasing a marathon PR, or simply looking to build a healthier relationship with food and exercise, this episode is packed with practical advice and encouragement to help you become a stronger, healthier runner!Episode Chapters00:00 – Welcome to RUNWITHALLI LIVE01:07 – How Alli & Nicole met through the San Diego running community02:37 – Meet Nicole Dobransky: Run Coach & Endurance, Nutrition Coach03:23 – Nicole's running journey, P90X, and becoming a coach06:09 – Childhood struggles with weight and body image07:57 – Overcoming disordered eating and transforming her relationship with food11:30 – Learning to fuel for performance instead of restriction 14:50 – Finding the right balance between running and strength training16:04 – Why Nicole specializes in coaching women over 3520:07 – Balancing running, family life, work, and real-world schedules24:20 – Effort-based training vs. pace-based training28:00 – The philosophy behind the Run Fuel Program28:40 – Client success story: losing weight while getting faster30:32 – From a 1:52 to a 1:45 half marathon, and chasing Boston31:15 – Can you lose weight while training? The truth about fueling runners34:15 – Where to connect with Nicole & final takeawaysNicole's journey from disordered eating to endurance coaching is a powerful reminder that lasting change comes from balance and consistency in having it. Not restriction! In this episode, she shares how prioritizing proper fueling, recovery, and sustainable training can help you perform at your best, feel your best, and confidently navigate the realities of work, family, and everyday life!Fun fact: I met Nicole while working the RunWithAlli® booth at the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Expo this past June! Our mutual friend, Jen Steele, introduced us, and we instantly connected. Fast forward about a month, and we're sitting down to share our passion for running, coaching, nutrition, and empowering women over 35 to become stronger, healthier, and more confident runners.FINAL THOUGHTSWhether you're chasing your first marathon, balancing training around work and family, or simply wondering if your best running is still ahead of you, this conversation is a reminder that it is through proper consistency, balance, and having fun in YOUR process!And remember, there’s no pace too slow!Share this episode with a training partner who needs to hear it!Connect with Nicole Dobransky:InstagramCoachingRunner Rising PodcastThank you for being here. I appreciate you!Support the showThe RUNWITHALLI LIVE Podcast is hosted by Alli Felsenthal, founder of RunWithAlli Coaching and virtual run coach to runners around the world. Each episode brings expert guests, honest conversations, and practical tools to help you train smarter, race better, and love the process. Whether you’re chasing your first finish line or a new PR, you’re in the right place.ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? Your support helps this podcast reach more runners who need it. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It’s the #1 way to help the show grow: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runwithalli-live/id1510066149Share this episode with a runner who needs to hear itSubscribe so you never miss an episodeWORK WITH RUNWITHALLI 1:1 Run Coaching. Personalized plans from the mile to the marathon → runafastermarathon.comFollow on Instagram → @runwithalliJoin the newsletter for weekly training tips, athlete wins, running science, and more → http://runafastermarathon.com/newsletterFree community with free weekly resources → DiscordBuzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREESupport the showThe RUNWITHALLI LIVE Podcast is hosted by Alli Felsenthal, founder of RunWithAlli Coaching and virtual run coach to runners around the world. Each episode brings expert guests, honest conversations, and practical tools to help you train smarter, race better, and love the process. Whether you’re chasing your first finish line or a new PR, you’re in the right place.ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? Your support helps this podcast reach more runners who need it. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It’s the #1 way to help the show grow: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runwithalli-live/id1510066149Share this episode with a runner who needs to hear itSubscribe so you never miss an episodeWORK WITH RUNWITHALLI 1:1 Run Coaching. Personalized plans from the mile to the marathon → runafastermarathon.comFollow on Instagram → @runwithalliJoin the newsletter for weekly training tips, athlete wins, running science, and more → http://runafastermarathon.com/newsletterFree community with free weekly resources → DiscordThe Run With Alli Live podcast featured a conversation with Nicole Dobransky, a run coach and certified endurance nutrition coach based in San Diego. Nicole shared her personal journey from struggling with weight and disordered eating habits to transforming her relationship with food and running through a structured program like P90X. She discussed her approach to coaching women over 35, emphasizing relatability and the unique life contexts of this age group. Nicole explained her Run Fuel program, which focuses on balanced nutrition for runners, and shared a success story of a client who improved both her running performance and body composition. The conversation also touched on goal setting in running, the importance of strength training, a Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREE Support the showThe RUNWITHALLI LIVE Podcast is hosted by Alli Felsenthal, founder of RunWithAlli Coaching and virtual run coach to runners around the world. Each episode brings expert guests, honest conversations, and practical tools to help you train smarter, race better, and love the process. Whether you’re chasing your first finish line or a new PR, you’re in the right place.ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? Your support helps this podcast reach more runners who need it. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It’s the #1 way to help the show grow: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runwithalli-live/id1510066149Share this episode with a runner who needs to hear itSubscribe so you never miss an episodeWORK WITH RUNWITHALLI 1:1 Run Coaching. Personalized plans from the mile to the marathon → runafastermarathon.comFollow on Instagram → @runwithalliJoin the newsletter for weekly training tips, athlete wins, running science, and more → http://runafastermarathon.com/newsletterFree community with free weekly resources → Discord