#118 - Amanda Presgraves | Peeling Back the Layers of an Athlete
Mar 8, 2022
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Former competitive swimmer and world-level teen USA triathlete, Amanda Presgraves, talks about reframing negative experiences, living with ADHD, and her work in food and nutrition with her new book coming out soon entitled “The Non-Recipe Book”.
The importance of nourishing the body and developing empathy towards oneself when it comes to food.
The significance of teaching young athletes about food and nutrition to empower them to make informed choices and fuel their bodies for growth and performance.
Recognizing the holistic impact of food on performance and overall well-being, going beyond just viewing calories in and out.
Deep dives
Developing a Nourishing Relationship with Food
The speaker shares her personal journey with food, starting from a young age when she had to cook for herself and recognizing the impact of food on her performance. She emphasizes the importance of nourishing the body and developing empathy towards oneself. She highlights the power of mindset and how our perception of food changes its digestion and response in the body. The speaker encourages seeing food as a treat and indulging in it while listening to our body's needs.
The Intersection of Food and Mindfulness
The speaker explores how our mindset towards food affects our well-being and nutrition. She references a study where participants who were told they were having an indulgent treat digested their food better than those who believed they were having a lower-calorie option. She discusses being compassionate towards our food choices and reframing indulgence as an act of self-nourishment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of abundance, embracing variety, and tuning into our own needs to make food choices that nourish our bodies.
Empowering Young Athletes with Food Knowledge
The speaker discusses the significance of educating young athletes about food and nutrition. She mentions an example of a food education program for young footballers, emphasizing the importance of teaching them how to cook nutritious meals after games. The speaker emphasizes that young athletes need to understand how to nourish themselves and develop a healthy relationship with food. She highlights that empowering young athletes with this knowledge allows them to make informed choices and fuel their bodies in a way that supports their growth and performance.
The Role of Nutrition in Performance
The speaker references the example of professional tennis player Novak Djokovic, who emphasizes the monitoring of everything that goes into his body. She suggests that athletes should recognize the deeper role of nutrition in performance and overall well-being. The speaker encourages athletes to go beyond just viewing calories in and out and consider the holistic impact of food on their bodies. By monitoring their nutrition and understanding its effects, athletes can optimize their performance and achieve their goals.
The Power of Food and Self-Reflection
Food plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, impacting not just our physical health but also our mental and emotional state. By understanding the various properties and benefits of different foods, we can harness their power to enhance our performance in various aspects of life, including sports. Food can be seen as a form of medicine, with natural and nourishing properties that support our bodies in multiple ways. It is important to recognize and appreciate the connection between what we eat and how it positively affects our bodies and minds.
Navigating ADHD and Embracing Individuality
Diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, the podcast guest shares her experience growing up with the condition and the impact it had on her perception of herself. Despite the challenges associated with ADHD, such as difficulty focusing and sitting still, she found solace and acceptance in the world of sports. Swimming became her outlet, allowing her to utilize her energy in a positive way and boosting her self-image. The guest opened up about her decision to stop taking medication for ADHD in college, realizing that her unique qualities and multi-potentiality were strengths that should be embraced rather than suppressed. She emphasizes the importance of embracing our individuality and breaking free from societal norms and expectations.
Amanda Presgraves is a former competitive swimmer and a world-level teen USA triathlete. We talk about reframing negative experiences, living with ADHD, and her work in food and nutrition with her new book coming out soon entitled “The Non-Recipe Book”.
[02:53] Introducing Amanda Presgraves [05:18] Getting into Endurance [07:37] Life Post-Career [10:51] Beginner’s Mindset [18:48] Mindfulness and Being a “Multipotentialite” [31:19] Swimming Culture Towards Men [35:36] Exploration with Food [41:20] Being Compassionate for Your Food [50:54] Food is Medicine [55:52] Growing Up With ADHD [01:03:25] Embracing Uniqueness [01:10:11] Gratitude and “Our Best Self Story” [01:15:35] Amanda’s Book Recommendations [01:17:57] Where to Find Amanda
