Episode 84: Is RED-S Real? The Nuances of Low Energy Availability, The Wellness Industry, and Athlos Track

In Episode 84 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm and Keely Henninger take a critical look at the contentious topic of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), diving deep into a recent article that questions the syndrome's validity and its implications for athlete health. They engage in a lively debate about how RED-S is diagnosed and whether it risks becoming a catch-all term, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to athlete care. The episode also touches on the broader issues surrounding the wellness industry, prompted by findings from Lulu Lemon's Global Wellbeing Report, which highlight the societal pressures that can lead to “wellbeing burnout.” Additionally, the hosts celebrate the Athlos track meet as a pivotal moment in elevating women’s running, sharing updates on significant race results, including Tara Dower's remarkable FKT on the Appalachian Trail and Careth Arnold's course record at The Bear. With listener questions and personal anecdotes, this episode challenges listeners to rethink their understanding of health and performance in the athletic realm   Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail www.freetrail.com - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK & Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle! Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society Sources/Links: Athlos Track Meet by Christine Yu https://christinemyu.substack.com/p/a-night-at-the-track?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ6HOiHhRZjKv4GqQIqNUw-BT7ByRjhVDH2vva5vCHzBnOpHAPSWUXM6vo_aem_5iYrgqcOkEqp70qYE6_tsw Lululemon Wellness Industry Report: https://sportswirewomen.com/lululemons-global-wellbeing-report-shows-the-pressure-to-keep-up-with-wellbeing-is-making-people-feel-unwell/ Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist? https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-024-02108-y  McKenndre Hickory House Fire fundraiser: https://www.freefunder.com/campaign/hickory-house-fire