Running in Silence
~Dr. Paula Quatromoni (DSc, RD, Boston University)
Athletes are 2-3 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than the general population. Yet coaches, teammates, parents, and even athletes who struggle themselves are often unable to see it in a world where discipline, determination, and “no pain, no gain” attitude can lend themselves to disordered thoughts and behaviors around food and exercise.
Eating disorders are not visible in appearance, and athletes who eat “extremely healthy” may struggle with an unhealthy mindset. Athletes end up falling into injuries, other eating disorder patterns like binge eating and bulimia, or “permanent physical damage that, in some cases, can be career-ending or life-threatening.”
Unfortunately, coaches are left in the dark, with little training required, and unknowingly perpetuate misconceptions surrounding eating disorders. These issues are well hidden yet extremely prevalent. Meanwhile, athletes continue running in silence for fear of the shame, stigma, and confusion surrounding this difficult topic.
Our mission is to raise awareness and offer actionable steps through engaging and motivational presentations, encourage athletes to speak up about their own struggles, and help coaches navigate a piece of the sporting world that has been hidden for far too long.
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Rachael2023-11-09 12:55:132023-11-09 12:58:34The Role of an Athletic Director in a School’s Eating Disorder Protocol
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Rachael2023-09-11 11:48:082023-09-11 12:09:58Eating Disorder Education for Athletic Staff With Limited Funds? Q&A With Dr. Paula Quatromoni
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Rachael2023-03-13 13:37:312023-03-13 18:44:24“You Can Never Have An Eating Disorder That Isn’t ‘Serious Enough'”: Charmaine’s Copenhagen Marathon Fundraiser and Reflections
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Rachael2023-03-06 15:35:582023-10-23 18:57:26“I Didn’t Know Who To Tell” Guest Post by Jonathan Green
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Rachael2023-02-23 12:16:442023-02-23 12:16:44A Letter to Younger Me (Guest Post)
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Rachael2023-02-20 13:12:302023-02-20 13:13:12Is it Appropriate for Coaches to Weigh Pole Vaulters? Dr. Quatromoni Q&A
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Rachael2022-06-27 15:19:132023-01-30 15:52:34Creating Community: Recovery is Better Together (Guest Post by Sarah DeGraff)
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Rachael2022-05-09 12:02:042022-05-09 12:17:11An Athlete on Another Team Looks Underweight–What Should I Do? Dr. Paula Quatromoni Q&A
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Rachael2022-03-28 12:38:392023-02-06 11:12:085 Things Coaches Should Avoid Saying to Adolescent Athletes
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Rachael2023-11-09 12:55:132023-11-09 12:58:34The Role of an Athletic Director in a School’s Eating Disorder ProtocolYour donation helps us to reach more coaches, athletes, students, and parents to offer ways to better identify eating disorders beyond appearance, talk about recovery to bring hope, and share athlete eating disorder stories to raise awareness and show its prevalence.
“Thank you for allowing my cross country team to contribute to spreading awareness about eating disorders. If it wasn’t for Running in Silence, I would have never shared my story. Running in Silence has inspired me. It has made me go beyond my comfort zone and take a risk. It has made me be vulnerable. I could not be more appreciative of the organization for doing that. Just within a few days, I have gotten tons of people reaching out, sharing their own personal experiences of what they have dealt with. That means people are talking and listening to one another. It has been remarkable! I can’t wait to see where things will go next.” – Emily Jackson, Senior Cross Country Runner
Thanks to Emily and her teammates, $300 was raised to help grow the Running in Silence mission!
Capital High School Cross Country Team
Running in Silence opens the door on the secret world of eating disorders. It provides vital insights for those who don’t suffer from this disease and an honest and harrowing personal story for those who do.