Alexa Gusman on Under-Fueling, Body Image, and Redefining Performance

Alexa Gusman (née Efraimson) spent eight years as a professional runner with Nike, signing at 17 and competing against women years older than her for her entire career. Today she's a registered dietitian with a master's in nutrition and nutrigenomics, working with athletes and everyday clients on performance nutrition, body image, and their relationship with food. In this episode, Alexa opens up about the body image and confidence struggles that shaped her career and never fully disappeared after she retired. She and Ann Marie talk about the myth that leaner means faster, what actually happens in the body when we under-fuel, and why rest is often the missing piece in performance, not the enemy of it. They also get into the outside comments about weight and bodies that stick with us for years, and how Alexa rebuilt her relationship with food, movement, and confidence on her own terms. In this episode: Why leaner doesn't mean faster or fitter What under-fueling really does to the body and brain Grind culture, rest, and redefining productivity The lasting impact of comments about our bodies Rebuilding confidence from the inside out Guest: Alexa Gusman, Registered Dietitian, M.S. Nutrition and Nutrigenomics Instagram: @alexagefraimson | Website: http://feelingforward.com