The Bigger Girl That Could Run with Michelle Barnes

Send us Fan MailA Conversation with Michelle BarnesIn this episode of Female Athlete Diaries, host Kirsty She-in welcomes guest Michelle Barnes, a Trisutto coach, and accomplished triathlete, to discuss the unique challenges faced by female athletes. Michelle, who has completed 17 Ironman races and qualified for Kona nine times, shares her personal journey through the ups and downs of training, diet, and hormonal health. They dive into Michelle's brush with low-carb diets, relative energy deficiency syndrome (RED-S), and her path to achieving a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. The conversation touches on the importance of proper nutrition, the impact of weight and body composition on performance, and the nuances of training as an older athlete and coach. This episode is packed with insights for female athletes looking to improve their training and overall well-being.00:00 Introduction to Female Athlete Diaries00:37 Meet Michelle Barnes: Triathlon Coach and Athlete02:13 Michelle's Journey: From Low Carb to Balanced Nutrition03:29 Understanding Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome (REDS)04:47 The Impact of Proper Nutrition on Performance10:55 Embracing Your Natural Body Weight16:13 Weight Fluctuations and Hormonal Imbalances16:54 Marathon Achievements and Weight Impact17:47 Strength and Injury Prevention18:58 Nutritional Adjustments and Iron Levels20:32 Current Running and Training Challenges24:08 Adapting Training for Hormonal Health27:32 Future Plans and Upcoming Topics29:21 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview