RED-S – Understanding Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

RED-S – Are You Eating Enough? Understanding Relative Energy Deficiency in SportIn this podcast I explore RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) — a condition that occurs when the body does not receive enough energy from food to support both daily life and physical activity.Many people assume this only affects elite athletes, but RED-S can affect anyone who is training regularly or living an active lifestyle, especially if they are unknowingly under-fuelling their body.Often people do not realise they are experiencing RED-S. They may simply feel tired, struggle with recovery, notice changes in mood, or feel that their body is not performing the way it once did.In this episode I talk about:• what RED-S is and why it matters for physical and mental health• how the body is affected when it does not receive enough energy• the difference between intentional and unintentional RED-S• how eating disorders can contribute to intentional restriction• how many people unintentionally under-fuel without realising• the signs that your body may need more nourishmentI also discuss the importance of gradually increasing food intake and restoring energy balance, allowing the body time to recover and return to a healthier state.Proper nourishment supports not only performance and strength, but also hormonal health, recovery, mood, and overall wellbeing.Learning to fuel the body well is not just about performance — it is about creating the conditions for a healthy, sustainable relationship with movement and food.Subscribe to Wholeyfit – The Soul’s Compass Method™ for more conversations on nutrition, trauma-informed healing, exercise, and living with greater balance and awareness.Follow — Victoria & Wholeyfit:Instagram: @wholeyfitFacebook: Wholeyfit – The Soul’s Compass MethodLinkedIn: Victoria PenfoldWebsite: victoriapenfold.com