Having Healthy Conversations
Your words shape how athletes perform and feel about themselves. They often take feedback to heart, making it essential to approach topics like REDs, nutrition, weight, and body composition with care, empathy, and an open mind.
This guide offers practical strategies to help athletes build a balanced, sustainable approach to health and performance.
Fostering Supportive Communication
Stay Informed: Keep up with research on REDs, nutrition, body image, and menstrual health to guide conversations confidently.
Create a Safe Space: Encourage open dialogue while respecting privacy and boundaries.
Prioritize Wellbeing Over Short-Term Goals: Shift the focus from quick fixes to sustainable habits. Celebrate rest, recovery, and balanced nutrition as the foundation of long-term performance.
Avoid weight-focused language: Instead, emphasize strength, energy, and performance.
Spot the Early Signs of REDs: Be proactive in identifying REDs warning signs like fatigue or changes in behavior. Address concerns privately and follow up regularly to show ongoing support.
Supportive Conversation Starters
“How do you feel about your training, nutrition, and recovery right now?”
“What's your approach to rest and self-care?”
“I want to make sure you’re fully supported. Are there any challenges or concerns around your health, nutrition, or recovery that you’d like to talk about?”
Real-Life Example: Noticing an athlete’s fatigue, Coach Kahn asked, "How are you feeling about your energy balance right now?" This opened a supportive conversation on rest. This opened a conversation about rest, recovery, and nutrition, leading the athlete to seek advice from a nutritionist.
Supportive vs. Harmful Language
Use supportive phrases focused on health, energy, and balance. Avoid comments emphasizing weight, restrictive eating, or comparing athletes.
Positive Examples
“Getting the right energy balance is key to unlocking your full potential.”
“Every athlete’s body is unique, and that’s a good thing!”
“Our goal is to help you feel strong, healthy, and ready to perform.”
Negative Examples
“Have you thought about tweaking your diet?”
“Your body type isn’t typical for this sport.”
“You’re looking really fit right now.” (Even well intended comments like this can lead to unhealthy comparisons.)
Navigating Denial
It's common for athletes to deny health concerns. Many athletes may not recognize the signs within themselves, or they might be reluctant to acknowledge them. By focusing on compassion and care, you can create a positive space where athletes feel safe to process and potentially accept help for REDs. Here ’s how:
Stick to Facts: “I’ve noticed you seem more tired during training. Would you be open to chatting with a sports nutritionist?”
Trust the Experts: Work with ATs and healthcare professionals to address concerns.
Keep It Simple: Avoid overwhelming the athlete. “I’ve noticed you’ve been getting sick a lot. Would you like to check in with a doctor or nutritionist?”
Preserve Privacy: Address concerns discreetly. “I wanted to chat privately because I care about how you’re feeling. If there’s anything on your mind, I’m here to listen.”
Be Patient: Change takes time. “Early support makes a difference. I’m here whenever you’re ready.”
Addressing Concerns with Care Givers
When discussing concerns like REDs with parents or guardians, remember that it is common for them to be unaware of signs, or to feel defensive, assuming your concerns reflect on their care giving. Approach with empathy, sensitivity, and professionalism to build a collaborative plan for their loved one’s well-being.
Steps to Take:
Document Observations: Note behaviors like fatigue, weight loss, behavioral, or cognitive changes and discuss them with healthcare professionals.
Schedule a Private Meeting: Arrange a calm, private discussion with them, ideally involving a healthcare professional. Inform them of the purpose in advance.
Lead with Empathy and Facts: Share observations and insights from the care team while maintaining the athlete’s privacy. For example, "We want to work together to ensure your child has the resources they need to thrive. Here’s what we’ve observed..."
Create an Action Plan: Define next steps, highlight risks of inaction, and clarify roles for care givers and the wider support team.
Ensure Ongoing Support: A single conversation won’t solve everything. The Athletic Trainer should monitor progress and coordinate care. In severe cases, pausing an athlete’s participation may be necessary for safety.
Empathy and open dialogue are essential in helping athletes prioritize their health and wellbeing. These conversations aren’t always easy, but they can make a lifelong difference in an athlete’s success and happiness.
Want to learn more or share your experience?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you’ve approached sensitive conversations with your athletes! Reach out to us here.