Ep 306 - Mental Health, Physique Sports, and Fitness Coaching (ft. Laurin Conlin)

In this crossover episode of Iron Culture, co-hosts Danny Lennon and Eric Trexler are joined by fitness professional and fellow Sports Nutrition Association (SNA) advisory board member Laurin Conlin. Together, they dive into the complex relationship between mental health, physique sports, and fitness coaching. Laurin shares her personal experiences and insights on how disordered eating and body image issues often arise in competitive physique sports, and how these behaviors can permeate into the broader fitness space. The conversation highlights strategies for recognizing and reducing harmful behaviors, the importance of revisiting problematic terminology in the industry, and the value of maintaining a holistic perspective in coaching. Practical advice for fitness practitioners is grounded in evidence-based approaches like motivational interviewing, helping coaches better support clients navigating these challenges. The episode concludes with resources for learning more about the SNA and its initiatives in advancing sports nutrition practice.

Time stamps:

00:00 Introducing Laurin to this SNA crossover episode

06:05 What got Laurin into the mental health space and where does physique sport cross into disordered eating/body image disorder?

15:02 Recognising and reducing harmful behaviours and cognitions associated with competing in physique sport

28:20 Laurin’s personal experiences and physique sport behaviours permeating into general health and fitness

35:51 Problematic terminology and looking at the bigger picture

45:51 Advice for health practitioners to help clients in this area

Clifford & Curtis (2016) Motivational interviewing in nutrition and fitness. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-33705-000

58:22 Closing out and where to find more information on the Sport Nutrition Association

Website https://sportsnutritionassociation.com/

Board Members https://sportsnutritionassociation.com/advisory-board/