Our story – Running in Silence

Author, Speaker, & Advocate

Hear Rachael Steil’s Story

Running in Silence is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

December 16, 2012 was the day Rachael stopped running in silence. It was the day she wrote the first blog post on this website about dealing with anorexia and binge eating as an NAIA All-American cross country and track runner. Writing her truth invited others to share their eating disorder experiences. Rachael began to see how many athletes dealt with these issues behind closed doors–in secrecy and in shame–and it made her feel less alone. It also fueled the fire to speak louder about eating disorder experiences and ask, now what? 

Now, we share our stories to show how eating disorders don’t just affect athletes physically, but also emotionally and socially. We bridge the gap between the athletic community and health professionals because experts are part of the solution. And we share what athletic staff can do to speak up about these issues and take action. 

Too many athletes have been running in silence because this topic has been poorly understood and rarely addressed.

Now, we create change.

Coaches Reached

Athletes Reached

Athletic Directors

Fueled by Community Support

From high school teams to local businesses, we are grateful for the partners championing our mission to break the silence.

“You sharing your personal connection to the struggle of athletes and eating disorders made the presentation very powerful and engaging. I appreciated that you shared resources with us and plan to check out some of them to find someone to talk to our school’s athletes. Thank you so much for helping with that!”

"There is no disgrace when eating disorders occur. The disgrace is in ignoring them, pretending they don't happen, and failing to intervene and treat cases when they do occur. Proactively addressing eating disorder risk through education, awareness, and culture-building is an appropriate prevention strategy."

"We didn't talk about mental health, body image, or anything like that so I had no idea who I could talk to about this. It was also drilled in my head that men are supposed to be rock solid and show no emotions."

"Eating disorders are poorly understood, probably more so inside sport than in the general public. There are stereotypes and sources of stigma that perpetuate faulty beliefs about who is at risk and what an eating disorder 'looks like.'"

"Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm so glad to know more about this issue and I can as a coach help."

"The first time I heard a comment about my weight was when I was eleven. Since that day, the mental battle of not being enough had been the thorn in my side."

Rachael Steil

Author & Founder

Rachael Steil [“Style”] is the author of Running in Silence, founder of the Running in Silence 501c3 (runninginsilence.org), a nationally recognized eating disorder recovery speaker, cross country and track coach, 2010-11 All-American runner, and recipient of the Aquinas College Outstanding Young Alumni award. She has presented at coaching clinics, conferences, schools, and colleges with powerful stories of honesty and hope. Steil has appeared on The Dr. Nandi Show, WGVU’s Family Health Matters, and in Vogue Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Running, and has written for Runner’s World and Techniques magazine. Reviewed as a forthright, relatable speaker, Steil offers coaches the tools to help athletes to reach their potential in sport and in life.

Rachael is writing her second book and coaches high school cross country and track.