REDs Explained, Why Underfueling Doesn't Have a Look w/ Dr. Melissa Lodge

<p>You can run well on too little fuel for a long time. Right up until you can&#39;t.</p><p>This week, Coach Amanda and Coach Nick sit down with Dr. Melissa Lodge (PhD in exercise science and sports nutrition, RD-in-progress, and the mind behind @fed_collaborative) to unpack REDs: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. It&#39;s one of the most misunderstood, under-screened issues in endurance running, and it does not have a look.</p><p>We get into why low energy availability sneaks up on runners (intentional and inadvertent), why weight is a terrible way to diagnose it, and the hidden biomarkers worth advocating for on your next blood panel (hi, T3). Melissa breaks down what&#39;s actually happening beneath the surface when you underfuel: bone loss, suppressed hormones, disrupted cholesterol, and a body quietly triaging which systems it can afford to keep running.</p><p>We also cover:</p><ul><li>Why a &quot;withdrawal bleed&quot; on hormonal birth control isn&#39;t a period, and what you lose as a vital sign</li><li>The adolescent window for bone development that you genuinely cannot get back (essential listening for parents and coaches)</li><li>Within-day energy deficits, backloading calories, and why &quot;I fueled my long run&quot; isn&#39;t the finish line</li><li>How to raise concerns with a teammate or friend without pointing fingers</li><li>The carbohydrate revolution in endurance sport, and the trap of nailing one thing while ignoring the other 22 hours of your day</li></ul><p>The throughline, in true Running Explained fashion: nail the basics first. Eat enough, eat often, and stop making fueling harder than it needs to be.</p><p><br></p><p>Bio: Melissa Lodge, PhD, is an exercise physiologist and soon-to-be RD. Her research focuses on the physiological and psychological impacts of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), particularly in female athletes. As a former elite runner, Melissa is especially interested in REDs prevention to improve the health and performance of athletes across the lifespan. Melissa also runs the social media platform @fed_collaborative, where she translates complex research on exercise physiology, REDs, and sports nutrition. </p><p>Find Melissa on Instagram at @fed_collaborative.</p><p><br></p><p><em>This episode touches on disordered eating and bone health. If any of it hits close to home, please reach out to a sports-medicine-informed physician or dietitian.</em></p><p><em></em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda_katzz/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Amanda IG </a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nklastava/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Nick IG</a></p><p>Email - Hello@runningexplained.com</p><p><br></p><p>Ready to finally train with a plan that’s built around YOU?</p><p>✅ Personalized training</p><p>✅ Weekly support + adjustments</p><p>✅ Strategy, structure, and accountability</p><p>✅ Expert coaching to help you actually hit your goals</p><p><br></p><p>Not ready for a 1:1 Coach</p><p>📝PDF Training Plan Templates available</p><p>🤝Group Coaching, Strength Training and Unlimited access to</p><p>all Training Plans available in The Run Club App to find the right training plan for you!</p>