Season 1 · Episode 10
In this episode of Becoming Recovered: Body and Soul, Carolyn Costin sits down with Rachael Steil, author of Running in Silence and founder of the organization by the same name, to explore the complicated intersection of athletics, eating disorders, compulsive exercise, and recovery.
Rachael shares her personal experience as a competitive runner, including how disciplined training and a desire to improve gradually became entangled with food restriction, calorie counting, body image concerns, binge eating, and secrecy. Together, she and Carolyn discuss why eating disorders can be especially difficult to recognize in athletes, particularly when harmful behaviors are praised as dedication, discipline, or commitment to the sport.
They explore warning signs that coaches, parents, teammates, and athletes themselves may overlook, from fatigue and withdrawal to missed periods, underfueling, rigid eating habits, and an unhealthy relationship with exercise. The conversation also examines RED-S, perfectionism, appearance-based pressure, and the culture of pushing through pain at all costs.
Rachael reflects on what ultimately supported her recovery, including therapy, working with a registered dietitian, and learning to listen to and strengthen her healthy self. Carolyn and Rachael also discuss how coaches and schools can better recognize eating disorders, respond with compassion, and create systems that support athletes before they reach a crisis point.
Rachael Steil (pronounced "Style") is an author, cross country and track coach, and nationally recognized speaker. Her book, Running in Silence, details her experience with an eating disorder as an NAIA All-American runner, and challenges the stigma surrounding eating disorders, looks past appearance, and dives into the heart of obsession.
Steil was awarded the 2021 Aquinas College Outstanding Young Alumni and the 2025 Kirsten Haglund Foundation Advocacy awards for her work in founding the non-profit Running in Silence. She has presented at schools and conferences nationwide, sharing honest, inspirational stories from her time as an athlete to empower the athletic community to address disordered eating in sports.
Steil has appeared on The Dr. Nandi Show, WGVU's Family Health Matters, Vogue, U.S. News & World Report, and Women's Running, and has written for Runner's World and Techniques magazine.
Carolyn Costin is a world-renowned eating disorder clinician, author, and speaker. Recovered from anorexia, she pioneered the belief that full recovery is possible. Founder of Monte Nido, she transformed treatment with a holistic, home-based model. She later founded the Carolyn Costin Institute, training coaches and clinicians worldwide. She has authored six books, including 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder.
Receive 20% off the 8 Keys to Recovering from an Eating Disorder book: wwnorton.com/promo/costin
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