Alex Larson: Dietitian and Triathlete, Fuelling Endurance Athletes for Peak Performance and Personal Success

Welcome to this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast! Today, we are speaking with Alex Larson, a registered dietitian from Duluth, Minnesota, whose passion for nutrition was ignited when she crossed the finish line of Ironman Wisconsin.  Alex is dedicated to helping endurance athletes achieve peak performance through optimal nutrition. Alex balances her thriving career with family life, being married with three young children aged between 7 years and 8 months. With over 20 triathlons, including multiple Ironmans, and numerous 10Ks and half marathons under her belt, she brings a wealth of personal experience to her practice. In this episode, Alex shares her journey from a competitive teenager with a passion for horseback riding to a seasoned triathlete and dedicated dietitian. After an injury in college, she discovered swimming and eventually fell in love with triathlons. This passion led her to a career in dietetics, where she found her niche in sports nutrition. Alex offers personalised nutrition strategies that help athletes fall back in love with their sport and life. She discusses her flexible eating approach, practical nutrition tips, and the importance of individualised plans. From dealing with pre-race nerves to managing gut issues, Alex provides valuable insights for athletes at all levels. Tune in for an inspiring episode packed with motivation, practical tips, and the story of a woman dedicated to helping others reach their full potential. *** Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.  By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement.  Thank you for your invaluable support! *** Show notes Who is Alex Working as a Registered Dietitian  Being based in Duluth, Minnesota, USA Married with 3 young children, aged between 7 and 8 months Supporting endurance athletes to fuel and nourish their bodies for their performance  Being a very ambitious teenager and having a competitive spirit   Her passions for horses and horse back riding Breaking her foot in college and getting into swimming Being a goal orientated person and signing up for her first triathlon Falling in love with triathlon  Starting her career as a Dietitian  Crossing the finish line of the 2014 - Ironman Wisconsin  Figuring out her niche as a Dietitian  Her journey to becoming a Dietitian  Working with athletes and helping them achieve their goals  Food, fuel and nutrition Food philosophy and why its a very individual thing Getting women specific with nutrition Diet culture Hiking stove less and being lazy with cooking Getting the balance right between eating healthy food while training and having a life Practical hacks to help you make the right food choices Microwave scrambled eggs Eating before, during and after an endurance race Pre-race nerves and how that affects food choices Wanting high carb, lower fat, lower fibre.  Having a fuelling plan for a race/challenge/run over 75 mins  Training your gut  Eat before your hungry, drink before your thirsty Dealing with gut issues while racing and practical tips to help Being a food detective not the food police Dealing with leg cramps Feeling overwhelmed with life  Not having the mental and physical energy to take on a new challenge Being intentional with her choices The importance of knowing that nutrition information is an evolution  Look at where you are getting your nutrition information from If you are feeling overwhelmed with nutrition information. It’s time to simplify. How to connect with Alex Female Athlete Nutrition Resources  How you can work with Alex  Final words of advice    Social Media Website: alexlarsonnutrition.com Instagram: @alexlarsonnutrition