Dr. Caitlin Massone: Overcoming Eating Disorders Through Endurance Sports, Neuroscience & Nature – Author of Running from Perfection

Dr. Caitlin Massone, ultra-runner, mountaineer, neurologist, and first-time author, sharing the story of her 14-year battle with eating disorders, and how she recovered in an unconventional way through finding endurance sports and nature. Her book, "Running from Perfection," comes out this spring (April 26th 2025).  Part memoir, part neuroscience, her story delves into the neurobiology of eating disorders, how our brains form habits and addictions, and how nature and exercise can help us heal from mental health disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Since regaining her health, Caitlin has run numerous marathons and ultramarathons, including a 50 mile race on the Mountains-to-Sea trail, and recently completed the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier (93 miles in three days). She has also embraced mountaineering, summiting Mount Rainier and Mount Baker, and is planning to climb Denali in 2026. Her story is about perseverance, overcoming mental health obstacles, and finding passion in sports that have transformed her from a 100-pound girl with anorexia to a strong, 150-pound athlete who is ready to take on new challenges!  Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about eating disorders, mental health challenges, and recovery. Please listen with care, and reach out for support if needed. *** Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.  Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you for your amazing support! *** Show notes Who is Caitlin  Being based in New Jersey Working as a practicing neurologist Working 7 days on and 7 days off Developing new interests, in running, hiking, backpacking and mountaineering  Writing about her long term eating disorder and how she found ultra endurance sports What a neurologist does  How her working schedule came about Her path from medical school, to residency, and completing her fellowship Her early years growing up in New Jersey Loving soccer (football) from 5 years old and playing varsity  Losing her love of sports and nature at 16 Nature and nurture in the formation of eating disorders  Being abandoned by her father Little Miss Perfect…. Dealing with pressure Type A personality and how they turned against her What people don’t know about eating disorders Starting to binge eat  Balancing it out with exercise  Taking a job in Colorado  Being exposure to nature at it’s best Quitting cold turkey Doing short hikes and runs outdoors Getting to the top of her first 14,000 ft Seeking professional help and working with a therapist Keeping her eating behaviours very private Good or bad habits… Habit formation in the brain and the role that exercise plays  Exercise junkie  Not being preoccupied with food  Having a better outlook on it  The battle going on inside your brain Primitive urges and self talk Mantras - Powerful and perseverance  Running her first half marathon while in medical school Her running journey being slow and gradual Starting running ultra marathons in 2020 Race strategy and getting use to time on feet and breaking it down into small chunks of time Spacing out nutrition throughout the race Fuelling and attitude to food during races Working with a running coach for the past 2 years Trying to keep things easy  Getting into mountaineering International Mountain Guides  Planning to climb Mt Denali The use of oral contraceptive pills past the age of 35 Building the mental resilience  Eating Disorder Survivor Symbol  Getting her tattoo done  Social media…. Not being hugely active  Women in Mountaineering  Sunny Stroeer New book goes live April 26th 2025 Final words of advice  Finding someone to listen The power of talking and opening up to people   Social Media Book: Running from Perfection: My Journey from Eating Disorders to Endurance Sports--And the Neuroscience Behind It