Q: How Can Hypermobile Dancers Support Their Body and Performance?

Have you ever been called “bendy” or “double-jointed”? For many dancers, hypermobility feels like an advantage—those gorgeous lines, extensions, and flexibility that make choreography look effortless. But behind the aesthetic can come real challenges: joint instability, pain, fatigue, and even digestive issues. In this episode, Rachel Fine explores what hypermobility really means for dancers, how it differs from flexibility, and the unique role nutrition plays in supporting performance and preventing injury.You’ll learn:✅ The difference between hypermobility and flexibility✅ Common symptoms dancers with hypermobility may experience✅ Why hypermobility increases the risk of disordered eating✅ Nutrition strategies for gut health, inflammation, and energy management✅ How to approach food without anxiety or rigid restrictions✅ Practical steps to support injury prevention and long-term performance📅 Perfect for: hypermobile dancers, educators supporting “bendy” students, and families navigating complex nutrition challenges tied to hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos spectrum disorders.📖 Read the full blog: https://dancenutrition.com/hypermobility-and-nutrition/📲 Follow on Instagram: @ToThePointeNutrition🔔 Subscribe on YouTube: Nutrition for Dancers🎙️ Listen on Apple + Spotify: Nutrition for Dancers with The Dance Nutritionist® PodcastTimestamps ⬇️ (Skip to the section you need!)0:00 – From “Flexy” to HypermobilityPersonal story and introduction to the topic.0:36 – Meet Rachel Fine, RDNBackground, mission, and approach to dancer nutrition.0:59 – Why Hypermobility Matters for DancersCommon experiences and challenges in the studio.1:36 – Flexibility vs. HypermobilityKey differences between muscle stretch and ligament laxity.2:50 – Causes of HypermobilityCollagen and connective tissue abnormalities explained.3:11 – Why Dancers Value HypermobilityAesthetic ideals and studio culture.3:37 – Subtypes of HypermobilityFrom asymptomatic hypermobility to more complex cases.4:06 – Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder & EDSOverview of HSD, EDS, and common subtypes.4:40 – Multi-System SymptomsFrom joint pain to digestive issues, fatigue, and more.5:51 – Dismissal and MisdiagnosisThe “it’s all in your head” frustration dancers face.6:25 – Nutrition’s Role in Symptom ManagementWhy lifestyle and fueling choices matter.6:53 – Digestive Disorders & Restrictive DietsIBS, constipation, and the risks of elimination diets.9:25 – Inflammation, Joint Pain, and FoodGentle nutrition vs. restrictive “anti-inflammatory” diets.11:53 – Food Anxiety and Dancer Diet CultureHow food fears worsen symptoms and how to dismantle them.15:15 – Building Support and Next StepsWorking with a care team and improving your relationship with food.Rachel Fine, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and Certified Counselor of Intuitive Eating, works with dancers to help them build supportive relationships with both food and body.Disclaimer: This is produced for informational purposes only. This information is general, not specific to you. The information in this podcast does not substitute for medical advice. The viewer assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional regarding health conditions or concerns, and before starting a new diet or health program.