Her First Athletics — Protect Her, Fuel Her, Empower Her

In this episode, we sit down with Kellie, the inspiring founder of Her First Athletics (HFA). Kellie shares her mission to prioritize health, growth, development, and performance of girls in sports. This conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities in supporting young female athletes in a way that’s empowering, science-based, and community-driven.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
1. Why Kellie Started Her First Athletics:

The need to focus on girls’ health and development in sports beyond just performance.
Creating safe spaces to protect and empower female athletes.

2. Period Talk — Let’s Normalize It!

Why periods and breast development need to be part of locker room conversations.
Helping male coaches find resources to navigate these discussions confidently.
Educating athletes and caretakers about menstruation, including the difference between withdrawal bleeding on the pill vs. a natural period.

3. Breaking Up with Overtracking:

Moving away from obsessively tracking miles, calories, and sleep metrics.
Learning to trust your body’s cues: Am I hungry? Do I need rest?
Addressing how diet culture fosters under-fueling and unhealthy behaviors in athletes.

4. Redefining the Thin Ideal:

How the pursuit of thinness can lead to under-fueling, overtraining, and poor outcomes in both performance and health.
Kellie, Megan, and I share our personal experiences as part of a "club" of athletes harmed by these practices—a club no one wants to join.

5. Building a Science-Based Community for Girls in Sport:

Providing accurate, science-backed data while amplifying athletes’ voices and stories.
Ensuring young athletes feel supported and heard, both on and off the field.

 

Fun Fact:
If Kellie could invite three guests to a dinner party, she’d choose:

Robin Roberts for her resilience and inspiring story.
Janet Evans, an Olympic legend and role model for female athletes.
Simone Biles, the ultimate symbol of strength, advocacy, and excellence.

Connect with Her First Athletics:
Website: https://herfirstathletics.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herfirstathletics/


If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about empowering girls in sports!

 

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