Meteor Rockstar: Patricia E.
I reached out to Kelsey last year after being diagnosed with two stress reactions—one in my femoral neck and one in my femur. After doing a lot of research (PubMed is a runner's best friend), I kept coming across information that inadequate fueling and nutrition can contribute to these types of injuries (especially in the context of RED-S, which we know is what caused my injury). That realization was a wake-up call, and I knew I needed more help and support. I had been following Kelsey for a while, and at that point, I decided to reach out.
Looking back, the biggest challenge before working with Kelsey was definitely eating enough to support the training I was doing. Part of the issue was simply not knowing how much food I actually needed, and the other part was my more restrictive eating habits (though I wouldn't have been able to admit that last year).
My biggest nutrition frustration was dealing with a range of symptoms—poor sleep, irritability, hair loss, and hormonal issues—that I never even considered could be related to nutrition. I thought it was just the result of the grad school and marathon grind. Working with Kelsey helped me see the bigger picture and realize that it’s absolutely possible to feel good while training—and living life!
Working with Kelsey has been the most eye-opening, life-changing, and joyful experience. We started by focusing on fueling for injury recovery, which was initially a bit scary because it seemed counterintuitive to eat more while injured. Kelsey broke the process down into small, manageable changes that we implemented gradually—first starting with a more nourishing breakfast, then adding snacks, and finally working on more structured lunches. Since these changes were introduced slowly, it didn’t feel overwhelming, and Kelsey helped troubleshoot any challenges that arose (like my cross-country move)! We’ve also focused on fueling for running, including incorporating intra-run fuel on all runs. My biggest success came when the changes started to feel intuitive, and my mindset around food shifted toward fueling for my activities—and life in general. As a result, I'm feeling happier, stronger, and enjoying life so much more.
My nutrition now balances eating enough to support my training with enjoying food. I’m eating three meals a day, plus two to three snacks, and I no longer feel stressed about food. I’ve come to understand that my nutritional needs are unique to me. I’m also more comfortable making spontaneous food decisions when eating out, knowing that all foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle. As a result, I have better energy levels, I’m running stronger than ever, I don’t feel wiped out after long runs, and I’m able to recover faster too
To anyone considering working with Kelsey, don't wait until you have an injury that sidelines you to start working on your nutrition (and if you are injured, definitely work with Kelsey). While being injured was not fun at all, I'm grateful that it brought me to Kelsey. She’s incredibly supportive and truly personalizes her approach to your unique needs. She thinks of things you might never even consider, and her guidance has helped me make lasting changes that feel sustainable and natural. Plus, she's always there to troubleshoot or adjust as life happens, so you're never navigating it alone.