From Ballet to Ultra Running: An Athlete’s Journey to the Cocodona 250

In episode 116 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, ultra runner Kabuki Snyder shares her powerful story, from struggling with disordered eating as a young ballerina to training for one of the toughest races out there: the Cocodona 250.

Kabuki opens up about her early relationship with food and body growing up in Ghana, why she ultimately quit ballet, and how she found joy and healing through running. We dive into the decades that ultimately prepared her for Cocodona 250, including how she approaches ultra running nutrition, training, and balancing life and work with her endurance goals. 

Whether you're new to running or prepping for your next 200+ miler, this conversation offers real, relatable insights into fueling, training, mental health, and other apsects of everyday life as a female endurance athlete.

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From Ballet to Ultra Running

Kabuki’s background in ballet shaped her early beliefs about how her body was supposed to look. When puberty brought natural changes, she began to feel like she no longer belonged on stage. This led her to walk away from something she deeply loved. The same mindset also triggered a long struggle with restriction and emotional eating throughout her teens and twenties.

After growing up in Ghana, moving to the UK, and eventually to LA to pursue a career in the music industry, Kabuki discovered running, hiking, and a new kind of joy in movement. She didn’t start out with a goal to run ultras. However, as time went on and she put more miles under her feet, her curiosity and love of the trails motivated her to keep pursuing longer distances.

She has completed a number of events since, from the 50k to 100 mile distance as well as multi-day stage races (e.g. 7 days each in Lapland and the Atacama Desert). She is even featured in the documentary, Her Ultra, about her race in Lapland, and you can watch the trailer here.

Now, in 2025, she’s preparing to run the Cocodona 250 for the first time, a 256-mile ultra marathon across Arizona that's known for its extreme heat (or this year - also cold), technical terrain, and massive elevation gain (40,000 ft!). It’s a true test of endurance, and requires serious strategy when it comes to training, mindset, fueling, hydration, and recovery.

Ultra Running Nutrition: What Works for Kabuki

Kabuki’s fueling strategy has evolved over the years through experimentation and many learning moments. She shares what she’s learned about ultra running nutrition, including how her needs change depending on the race format, temperature, and intensity.

Kabuki's go-to nutrition routines:

While running:

• Liquid calories (e.g. Tailwind products) to stay on top of hourly fluid and carb goals

• Gels (e.g. Precision 30g) to top up carbs each hour

• Candy (e.g. Sour Patch Kids, Jelly Babies, GinGins) for quick carbs and variety

• Caffeine chews and pills to stay focused, especially during the night

At aid stations and for recovery:

• Miso soup with chips for salt and satisfaction

• Brioche with cheddar cheese for a mix of fat, carbs, and protein

• Protein shakes or bars for muscle recovery

• Occasional “real food” like McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches, which are a compact source of calories

Kabuki also emphasizes the importance of practicing fueling in training, especially if you're planning to rely on solid food during long races.

Training for Cocodona with a Full-Time Job

When she’s not training or running ultra marathons, Kabuki works full-time in a high-demand, global music industry role. That means early meetings, frequent travel, and long days.

Despite her busy schedule, she’s built a routine that supports consistent training and proper fueling, though like many of us (myself included), she's still figuring it out!

Kabuki’s key strategies:

• Early morning workouts before the workday begins (she’s often up by 4am)

• Exercising around meetings when needed (e.g. at lunch or in the evening)

• Prepping protein shakes and easy meals ahead of time to stay on top of recovery

• Using spreadsheets to map out race strategy, crew logistics, and sleep plans

Kabuki also talks about how she fueled for training races and adventures like Big Alta, Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim, and Lake Sonoma 50. All these races helped her build confidence and dial in her nutrition before race day.

Fueling for Life, Not Just the Finish Line

One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is how Kabuki has reclaimed her relationship with food and movement.

As she says towards the end of the episode:

"We all come to these journeys from different places in life...You don't have to be fast, you don't have to be in the front of the pack. You're gaining something huge in terms of your sense of self, and you get to see parts of the world that you wouldn't get to see [otherwise]. So...get out there and see what nature has to offer."

Kabuki's story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to look a certain way to be a successful athlete or to find joy in your sport.

Kabuki Crushes the Cocodona 250

Just 9 days after we recorded, Kabuki toed the start line of the Cocodona 250. The weather was unseasonably cold, with rain, hail, and mud making the trails particularly brutal.

Keeping warm was a struggle, knee pain and blisters slowed her down, and in Kabuki's own words, "my fueling was becoming a dumpster fire." Despite all that, she persevered and reached the finish line with the help of her crew!

The course took her through stunning terrain, and she traveled 256 miles from Black Canyon to Heritage Square in Flagstaff Arizona in 109 hours 26 minutes and 29 seconds.

Congratulations, Kabuki - you are such a badass!

Key Takeaways From This Episode

• Ultra running nutrition should be customized, flexible, and practiced often

• “Real food” has a place in ultra endurance sports - don’t be afraid to get creative

• Balancing training and work is possible with good planning and support

• Strong, successful, and healthy runners do not have a specific "look"

• Fueling enough is critical, everyday AND before, during, and after exercise

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Ready to Build Your Fueling Strategy?

If you're training for an ultra, prepping for your first big race, or just feeling lost when it comes to fueling, I can help. 

I’ve spent the last decade supporting athletes of all levels so that they feel confident about their nutrition, whether it’s everyday eating, race fueling, or recovery planning. If you'd like to work with me, there are options to fit all budgets:

• Join my Fuel for Life Crew membership for just $30/month (cancel anytime)

• Download my free fueling guides and tools

• Interested in 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form

You don’t have to go at it alone! Let’s take the guesswork and stress out of fueling properly so you can feel strong, confident, and crush every workout or race. 

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Connect with Kabuki

• Follow Kabuki on Instagram

• Check out the Her Ultra Documentary on Roku

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.