# Ep 88: Healing the Athlete Within - A Conversation About Anorexia, Running, and Recovery, with Dr. Jillian Rigert & Dr. Michelle Quirk

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mindful-marathon-podcast-7011584/ep-88-healing-the-athlete-within-a-conversation-about-anorexia-running-and-recovery-with-dr-jillian-rigert-dr-michelle-quirk
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mindful-marathon-podcast-7011584/ep-88-healing-the-athlete-within-a-conversation-about-anorexia-running-and-recovery-with-dr-jillian-rigert-dr-michelle-quirk.md
Podcast: [Mindful Marathon Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/mindful-marathon-podcast-7011584)
Published: 2026-05-18T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://mindfulmarathon.podbean.com/e/ep-88-healing-the-athlete-within-a-conversation-about-anorexia-running-and-recovery-with-dr-jillian-rigert-dr-michelle-quirk/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wmr9n8bmaev29hzd/Ep_88_Healing_the_Athlete_Within_-_A_Conversation_About_Anorexia_Running_and_Recovery_with_Dr_Jillian_Rigert_Dr_Michelle_Quirka3i7r.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1824

## Resource

In this deeply personal and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with my friend Dr. Jillian Rigert, to discuss her lived experience with anorexia nervosa, recovery, trauma, and running. Jillian shares the story behind her many career pivots, from military oral surgery to oral medicine, cancer care, coaching, and now training to become a marriage and family therapist with a focus on trauma. Together, we explore the complicated intersection of endurance sports and eating disorders, how running both fueled and helped her heal, and the ongoing work of rebuilding a compassionate relationship with movement, fueling, identity, and self-worth. We discuss: Anorexia nervosa and eating disorder recovery The overlap between endurance sports and disordered behaviors Trauma, shame, and identity loss Career transitions and perfectionism in medicine RED-S and the physical impact of underfueling Learning to run with self-compassion instead of punishment Recovery as a daily, intentional practice The importance of safe, validating support systems Jillian also speaks candidly about the realities of recovery that often remain invisible including body dysmorphia, intrusive thoughts, nervous system dysregulation, and the challenges of healing in a culture obsessed with productivity and thinness. This episode is a reminder that healing is rarely linear, and that strength can look like slowing down, asking for help, and choosing compassion over punishment. Please note that this episode includes discussion of anorexia nervosa, eating disorders, suicidality, hospitalization, trauma, and compulsive exercise. Please listen with care and prioritize your wellbeing. If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or sending it to someone who may need thi…

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## Transcript

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