Specialized Workshop Hosted by the MAHPERD Athletic Division
Mental Health and The 1 in 8 Athlete with Eating Disorders
**(This is a two-hour workshop)**
This workshop equips athletic staff, physical education teachers, and health educators with the tools and knowledge needed to help prevent and address eating disorders in student-athletes.
Participants will learn to:
1. Coordinate Local Resources
Organize local professionals to speak with students, parents, and coaches about eating disorder education and prevention.
2. Implement an Eating Disorder Protocol
Develop or adopt a clear response plan to ensure staff are prepared to support athletes showing signs of disordered eating.
3. Define the Coach’s Role in Recovery
Understand appropriate boundaries in supporting recovery, allowing coaches to assist without stepping outside their expertise.
4. Promote Healthy Coaching/Teaching Methods
Use teaching and coaching strategies that avoid weight- or body fat-based evaluations and eliminate food- or body-shaming practices.
5. Identify Disordered Eating Beyond Appearance
Recognize that eating disorders can affect athletes of any size and learn to spot non-obvious warning signs.
6. Understand the Athlete Experience
Gain insight into what it’s like to live with an eating disorder as an athlete, including itsphysical, social, and emotional toll.
7. Approach Struggling Athletes with Care
Learn how to initiate conversations with students who may be struggling, in a way thatincreases the likelihood of professional intervention.
Presenter:
Rachael [“Style”] is the author of Running in Silence, founder of the Running in Silence 501c3 (www.runninginsilence.org), a nationally recognized eating disorder recovery speaker, cross country and track coach, 2010-11 All-American runner, and recipient of the Aquinas College Outstanding Young Alumni award. She has presented at coaching clinics, conferences, schools, and colleges with powerful stories of honesty and hope. Steil has appeared on The Dr. Nandi Show, WGVU’s Family Health Matters, and in Vogue Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Running, and has written for Runner’s World and Techniques magazine.
Reviewed as a forthright, relatable speaker, Steil offers coaches the tools to help athletes to reach their potential in sport and in life.Rachael is writing her second book and coaches high school cross country and track.