Rediscovering Balance: My Journey with REDs and Disordered Eating

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Rediscovering Balance: My Journey with REDs and Disordered Eating

By Pippa Woolven

Rediscovering Balance: My Journey with REDs and Disordered Eating

Have you ever pushed your body to the limit, only to feel it push back? Like many athletes, I spent years believing that relentless training and strict dieting were the keys to reaching my full potential. But what I didn’t see at the time was the silent toll this lifestyle was taking on my physical and mental health. 

My name is Pippa Woolven, and I’m the founder of Project RED-S, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and supporting individuals affected by Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). My goal is to equip athletes of all ages, genders, abilities and backgrounds with the knowledge and support needed to nurture a balanced approach to health and training.

 

A Solid Start, Until It Wasn’t

Growing up in a family of athletes, I was driven by the dream of excelling in my sport. Early on, a healthy balance of patience, persistence, and dedication brought success. But as I reached puberty, I became impatient for my body to “look” like an elite athlete’s.

Accepting a full athletic scholarship to a top U.S. distance-running program was the perfect opportunity to chase that look, or so I thought. I began to train harder, eat more “healthily”, and push beyond my limits, convinced these changes would bring greater success. Initially, my efforts seemed to pay off, but these changes weren’t sustainable and over time, the warning signs of REDs and disordered eating began to show.

Early Symptoms and Warning Signs

My early symptoms of REDs were subtle, and many of them are normalized in the culture of athletics, making them easy to dismiss. They included: 

  • Frequent illnesses and colds that took longer to recover from
  • Increased injuries like soft tissue strains and later, stress fractures
  • Irregular and missing menstrual cycles, which I initially dismissed as “part of training”
  • Difficulty recovering from workouts and feeling drained, even after rest days
  • Digestive discomfort and other gastrointestinal issues that didn’t seem to have an explanation
  • Low iron levels
  • Preoccupation with my diet and body, becoming increasingly anxious about the way I looked, ate, and trained
  • Reluctance to rest and fear of losing fitness 

These symptoms were my body’s way of asking for more support, but in a culture that celebrates “pushing through,” I saw adherence to a restrictive diet and training program as a badge of my commitment. I had internalized the belief that this was what all committed athletes did. This is one of the most dangerous aspects of REDs and disordered eating in sport—many of us mistake disordered behaviors as dedication to our sport.

 

Recognizing RED-S

I was experiencing a condition called Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), which impacts up to 67% of athletes. REDs is characterized by a shortage of energy available to match the demands of exercise on top of daily activities and biological functions. Yet, despite the relatively simple cause, the consequences can be complicated, long-term, and systemic. 

REDs isn’t just a physical problem—it affects mental health as well, and ignoring the signs can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Disordered eating or clinical eating disorders are both a frequent cause and consequence of REDs and can quickly escalate if left untreated.  

The misunderstanding around REDs is widespread, even among coaches, trainers, and medical professionals. Because REDs can impact people differently, it can be difficult to diagnose, and the warning signs often go unnoticed until they’ve already caused lasting harm. For females, the disruption of menstrual cycles is a common indicator, but it’s often ignored or, worse, seen as “just part of being an athlete.” For males, REDs can manifest in similarly disruptive ways, but these signs are often overlooked due to a lack of awareness. 

The Tipping Point

Eventually, my body couldn’t keep up with the relentless pace I was setting. I was frequently injured, drained of energy, and deeply anxious about my performance and body. I began to lose the joy that had once driven me to pursue my sport, and, after years of pushing through, I realized I couldn’t ignore the impact this lifestyle was having on my health and happiness.

Seeking help was not easy. I felt immense guilt and shame, as though my body’s response was a personal failure. It’s a common feeling among athletes who have bought into the idea that endurance and willpower are limitless. I felt that if I could just push harder, I could recover by myself, but this thinking was part of the problem. Eventually, I reached out to medical professionals and began to understand how REDs had affected my body—and how little I knew about my own health needs as an athlete.

Recovery and the Path to Project RED-S

My journey to recovery wasn’t linear. It involved unlearning years of misinformation, cultivating self-compassion, and rediscovering a healthy relationship with food and my body. I had to develop a new understanding of health and strength, and that meant redefining what “success” and “strength” truly meant.

It was during this process that I realized just how prevalent these struggles were among athletes. I began to connect with others who had experienced similar challenges and were left searching for answers. This shared experience became the foundation of Project RED-S, an organization I founded to educate athletes and support those struggling with REDs and disordered eating.

A Word of Wisdom

If there’s one message I’d like to share with athletes who may be experiencing signs of REDs or struggling with disordered eating, it’s this: Listen to your body. The athletic community often encourages us to push limits and ignore pain, but true strength lies in respecting your body’s needs, and it cannot be outsmarted. Health is not a one-size-fits-all model, and no achievement is worth sacrificing your well-being. 

In my own recovery, key steps included:

  • Working with nutritionists and therapists who understood athletes’ needs
  • Embracing rest as a critical part of training and overall wellbeing
  • Surrounding myself with supportive friends and family who reminded me of my worth beyond my appearance or performance

 

Embracing Balance and Health as Strength

I won’t pretend that recovery was easy or that I don’t still experience difficult moments, but I can say that I am healthier, happier, and more at peace with myself than I have ever been. REDs and disordered eating can feel like insurmountable obstacles, but recovery is possible. If you are an athlete struggling with REDs or disordered eating, I want you to know that you’re not alone and that help is available. Prioritize your well-being, reach out for support, and know that there is a way forward.

Resources

Learn more about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) here.

Download a one page handout on REDs to share with others here.

Learn more about eating disorder treatment here.

Find eating disorder treatment providers in your area here.

Find resources for REDs here:

Project RED-S is a network of athlete ambassadors and trusted REDs specialists who provide information, resources, and support to athletes who may be impacted by Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.

Pippa Woolven is a former Team GB athlete and NCAA Division I competitor who has become a leading advocate for safe, sustainable practices in sports. As the founder and director of Project RED-SPippa is dedicated to raising awareness about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), focusing on prevention and support through education and resources that promote health-centered approaches in athletic environments. In addition to her advocacy work, she is a qualified behavior change coach (MSc) and athlete mentor, empowering both competitive athletes and recreational sports enthusiasts to build balanced, fulfilling relationships with sport and physical activity.

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