Who Gets to Be an Athlete? Endurance Fueling Myths, Carb Periodization & Race-Day Resets

Who gets to call themselves an athlete — and how should you fuel like one? In this special crossover episode from Your Diet Sucks, Coach Zoë and registered dietitian Kylee Van Horn tackle common endurance nutrition myths, from carb loading to high-carb fueling in larger bodies, and why “earning” the athlete label is holding runners back.

You’ll hear practical tips for training your gut, troubleshooting race-day nausea, and avoiding the pitfalls of constantly changing your fueling plan. Plus: the science behind carbohydrate periodization, why hydration is the foundation of fueling, and how to rethink your athlete identity to train smarter and recover faster.

In this episode:

• High-carb fueling strategies for endurance athletes

• Carb loading for training vs. race day

• Gut training and avoiding mid-race stomach shutdowns

• Fueling considerations for larger-bodied runners

• Why everyone who trains is an athlete — and should fuel like one

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro & training updates

03:02 – Athlete identity and fueling mindset

16:07 – High-carb fueling in larger bodies

24:31 – Carb loading & carbohydrate periodization

36:22 – What to do when you can’t eat or drink mid-race

42:09 – Beam Minerals and electrolyte marketing claims

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