Running in Silence – 501(c)3 nonprofit to break misconceptions, heighten awareness, and offer hope and resources

Running in Silence

Empowering the athletic community through eating disorder education and awareness so athletes can receive help and achieve their potential in both health and athletic performance.

How we serve:

“Until we start putting mental health on par with physical health, and until we buy into the fact that RED-S and EDs in sport are metabolic ‘injuries’ that deserve prevention, screening, evaluation, treatment, and clearance protocols like any other sports-related injury, we will be stuck in the position of simply responding to bad outcomes that sideline our athletes rather than preventing bad outcomes that may or will eventually sideline our athletes if left unattended.”

~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. When eating disorders affect athletes, their risk of injury and even suicide goes up.

Many athletic programs are left in the dark, with little training required, and unknowingly perpetuate misconceptions surrounding eating disorders. Meanwhile, athletes continue running in silence for fear of the shame, stigma, and confusion surrounding this stigmatized 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.

Hear Rachael’s Story Download the Fueling for Sport Coach’s Guide

Binge Eating Disorder: Through the Lens of an Ultrarunner (Guest Post by Jeremy Susi)

September 25, 2025

What Do You Do if Parents Switch to a New Doctor After an Eating Disorder is Suspected? Q&A With Dr. Quatromoni

September 15, 2025

What Do You Do if You Don’t Have an Athletic Trainer? Q&A With Dr. Quatromoni

August 5, 2025

Drowning For Perfection: Guest Post by Erica King Kubowitsch

June 24, 2025

Is it Okay to Have a Scale in the Weight Room? Q&A With Dr. Paula Quatromoni

October 16, 2024

Is it Okay to Weigh Athletes for Hydration Purposes? Q&A With RD Rebecca McConville

September 3, 2024

From Harm to Hope: Guest Post by David Stansbury

August 13, 2024

What if Parents of an Athlete with an Eating Disorder Are in Denial? Q&A with Dr. Paula Quatromoni

March 4, 2024

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How Do You Address Jokes Being Made About Eating Disorders? Q&A with Paula Quatromoni

February 5, 2024

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Binge Eating Disorder: Through the Lens of an Ultrarunner (Guest Post by Jeremy Susi)

September 25, 2025

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Featured Sponsors

Capital High School Cross Country Team

“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!

Read Their Full Story

Jolt Credit Union

“At Jolt Credit Union, we believe in the power of community, conversation, and creating safe spaces for important discussions. Sponsoring a Running in Silence talk as part of the Mental Health Matters initiative at Northwood University was an absolute honor. Rachael’s courage in sharing her journey and her mission to break the stigma surrounding eating disorders and mental health truly resonated with Northwood’s student-athletes. Her message was not just powerful, it was necessary.”

Bridget Looby Staffileno (VP Brand Engagement, Jolt Credit Union)

“I want everyone to read this book. What struck me most was the sheer honesty of how Rachael shares what she went through, how it impacted her sport, and how it impacted her emotionally, physically, and socially.”

Rachael Steil clocked in as an All-American collegiate runner; she became a girl clawing for a comeback on a fruitarian diet. This year-long struggle with raw food ended when she realized she had to find her self-respect beyond her identity as a successful runner on a perfect diet. 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 disorder and an honest and harrowing personal story for those who do. Steil challenges the stigma of eating disorders, looks past appearance, and dives into the heart of obsession.

Running in Silence book net profits go to the Running in Silence 501(c)3.

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Empowering the athletic community through eating disorder education and awareness so athletes can receive help and achieve their potential in both health and athletic performance.

How we serve:

Featured Sponsors

Capital High School Cross Country Team

Jolt Credit Union

“I want everyone to read this book. What struck me most was the sheer honesty of how Rachael shares what she went through, how it impacted her sport, and how it impacted her emotionally, physically, and socially.”

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