Underfueled & Overtrained: How Female Athletes Rebuild Performance, Hormones, and Joy

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy sits down with friend and fellow athlete Rosie—a semi-pro soccer player and recent half-marathoner—to unpack the quiet crisis of female athletes: training like a pro while fueling like a hobbyist. Together they explore the identity shift from perfection to performance, how to spot under-fueling (hint: your brain knows first), and why carbs and fats are the unsung heroes in a protein-obsessed culture.You’ll hear real talk on nervous-system regulation as the new pre-workout, the tightrope between discipline and obsession, and how “optimal” becomes unsustainable when it ignores your actual life. If you’ve ever hit your numbers and still felt foggy, flat, or fried—this one’s your permission slip to eat for clarity, capacity, and consistency.You’ll learn:Fueling as mindset (not math) and using hunger as data—not dangerWhy cognitive fatigue shows up before physical fatigueThe role of carbs + fats in hormones, thyroid, recovery, and moodRed flags that “discipline” has slid into obsessionHow 80% consistency beats 100% control for long-term performance🎧 If this helped, share it with the teammate who’s learning to soften without slowing down.🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community.📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests. Connect with Rosie here