Fitter Radio Triathlon Podcast #623 - Relative Energy Deficiency: Lionel Sanders. Christine Byrne
Jun 23, 2025
Lionel Sanders, a professional triathlete known for his candid YouTube insights, discusses his journey with injuries and relative energy deficiency in athletes. He shares how energy deficits can directly impact performance, linking them to stress fractures and hormonal health. Joining him is Christine Byrne, a registered dietitian and anti-diet advocate, who dives into the complexities of nutrition and eating disorders in sports. Together, they emphasize the critical balance between proper fueling and performance, dispelling myths surrounding clean eating and caloric needs.
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Outward Performance Masks Internal Deficits
- Athletes often appear healthy and perform well despite underlying health issues caused by low energy availability.\n- Lionel's case shows how extreme leanness and inadequate calorie intake harm long-term health despite short-term performance.
Tim Brazier Eats Through Deficiency
- Tim Brazier described eating more than usual to recover from energy deficiency during increased physical activity at altitude.\n- He found that pushing calorie intake was necessary even when feeling full to avoid a performance drop.
Track Calories and Consult Experts
- Athletes should track calories using apps like MyFitnessPal to understand actual intake versus needs.\n- Consulting with sports dietitians and adjusting nutrition to training load is essential to avoid energy deficiency.