253: Athletes and Eating Disorders with Dr. Jillian Lampert of The Emily Program

NEED HELP FOR AN EATING DISORDER? Call: 888-364-5977 or head to: https://emilyprogram.com/begin-recovery/

Host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes interviews Dr. Jillian Lampert (Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs at The Emily Program), who explains eating disorders as mental health diagnoses that disrupt a person’s relationship with food and negatively impact life, and outlines diagnoses including anorexia nervosa (including that it can occur without visible underweight), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and OSFED; she notes orthorexia is not currently a DSM diagnosis.

They discuss why athletes are at higher risk (temperament traits like persistence, rule-focus, and high standards combined with sport pressures), warning signs such as secrecy, defensiveness, and constant preoccupation with food, and serious health consequences including RED-S impacts, cardiac risk (especially with purging and electrolyte disruption), GI issues, bone and endocrine effects, and dental damage.

Dr. Lampert describes The Emily Program’s full continuum of care (inpatient through outpatient, including virtual options), emphasizes individualized treatment for athletes (including decisions about training/competition), and shares Jessie Diggins’ public story of treatment, recovery, relapse, and ongoing support; the episode closes with encouragement to seek help by calling or requesting contact through emilyprogram.com.

Dr. Jillian Lampert, PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program, a national eating disorder treatment company. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders.

Episode Highlights:

• 01:22 Sponsor Break: WaveBye for Period Pain & Cycle Support
• 03:00 Eating Disorder Help Resources (NEDA + Emily Program)
• 04:00 Meet Dr. Jillian Lampert + Why Awareness Week Matters
• 06:26 Eating Disorders 101: What They Are (and Aren’t)
• 08:31 Types of Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, ARFID, OSFED
• 12:21 Where Orthorexia Fits + When “Healthy Eating” Becomes Harmful
• 15:25 Why Athletes Are Higher Risk: Temperament, Perfectionism & Pressure
• 17:25 Crossing the Line: Red Flags Like Secrecy, Defensiveness & Isolation
• 21:21 The “Iceberg” of ED Thoughts + How Much You Think About Food
• 25:02 Sponsor Break: RED-S Quiz + Recovery Membership & Coaching
• 27:34 Physical Consequences: RED-S, Heart Risk, Electrolytes & GI Damage
• 34:43 Why you should still talk to a doctor (even if they’re not ED-trained)
• 35:24 From consequences to recovery: the real goal is feeling good again
• 36:02 Inside The Emily Program: levels of care from inpatient to outpatient
• 37:59 What makes The Emily Program different: all levels, nationwide, long-term support
• 40:32 Athletes & recovery goals: using your drive without expecting a quick fix
• 41:54 Jessie Diggins’ story: treatment, relapse, and staying on the team
• 43:00 Can you keep training in treatment? How athlete care is individualized now
• 51:45 Recovery is possible: skills that last, hope after relapse, and being your best self
• 55:28 How to get help today: website, phone call, and don’t wait
• 59:03 Final takeaway + where to find resources and support

Resources and Links:

• For more information about the sho