Real Talk for Sport Parents Podcast

Hosted by Samantha Livingstone

Ep. 5 - Rebecca McConville - Navigating Nutrition and Performance in Sports

In this illuminating episode, Samantha sits down with Rebecca McConville - sports dietitian, eating disorder specialist, and author of Finding Your Sweet Spot - to unpack the real truth behind performance, energy, and long-term health for youth athletes. They dive into the critical topic of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), how under-fueling shows up subtly in young athletes, and why nutrition is about more than just fueling for sport - it's about fueling for life.

Rebecca offers compassionate and practical advice to parents who want to raise resilient, thriving kids in an often performance-obsessed culture. Whether you’re navigating club sports, managing food anxiety, or simply trying to better understand your child’s needs, this episode delivers clarity, heart, and hope.

00:00 - Meet Rebecca McConville + how she got into sports nutrition
06:35 - What RED-S really is and why it’s often misunderstood
10:10 - The difference between discipline and disordered behavior
15:45 - Red flags - What to watch for in your athlete’s eating and mindset
21:08 - Why intention matters more than image when it comes to food
28:50 - How performance culture can feed perfectionism
33:22 - How parents can foster resilience without pressure
39:44 - Creating a family culture around food, rest, and recovery
44:19 - How to support your athlete through injuries and transitions
50:01 - Final thoughts on fueling for health, growth, and joy

Quotes

· “RED-S is not just about food - it’s about life. It's about having enough energy to grow, think, feel, and live.” (06:42)

· “Parents need to know that discipline doesn’t mean deprivation. Restriction doesn’t build resilience.” (12:05)

· “Fueling is not a reward for performance - it’s a requirement for being human.” (33:00)

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Social Media and Links

· RTSP Instagram

· samanthalivingstone

· @rebeccaeddietitian on IG

· Rebecca on LinkedIn

Resources + Mentions:

• Rebecca’s book: Finding Your Sweet Spot - How to Avoid RED-S and Fuel for Sport Performance
• Learn more: https://rebeccamcconville.com
• RED-S resources: https://www.femaleandmaleathletetriad.org/red-s