When Joy is The Performance Tool

My oldest daughter turned 9 yesterday (how did that happen?!), and it got me thinking not just about her growth, but mine too. Stick with me for a minute, because I want to share a story that I think will resonate with many of you.

Long before having kids, I fell in love with distance running, specifically road half marathons and marathons. At first, I wasn't chasing PRs. I was chasing the empowered, joyful feelings that running gave me, and I was pleasantly surprised when I raced much faster than I expected.

Somewhere along the way, though, those feelings faded. What replaced them was a desperate need to get a PR (or else I had "failed"). That meant controlling everything I could and obsessing over numbers (including my weight) instead of listening to my body.

That mindset did motivate me to improve, but before long, I was miserable and my performance tanked. I kept training for marathons not because I wanted to, but because I felt like I had something to prove. Underfueling, burnout, and ongoing injury eventually took me down.

After taking a break, I started to explore trail running, and everything shifted. I felt liberated from the pressure of PRs. I loved taking in the scenery, making trail friends, and eating lots of snacks. The joy of running came back, and with it, my ability to run long and strong again.

The idea of joy as a performance tool really hit home while watching Alysa Liu skate for gold. I'm obsessed with her comeback story. Her refusal to diet ("no one's going to starve me and tell me what I can and can't eat") and her full embrace of joy and autonomy feel so aligned with what I see in successful, healthy athletes.

To be clear, I'm all for chasing PRs and other big goals, but it's how you do it that matters. When you’re burned out, hyper-focused on numbers, or trying to force your body into submission, performance and motivation almost always suffer. When fueling supports mood, energy, and pleasure, and training is smart and sustainable, things start to click again.

Since having kids, I've run road marathons and ultras, and I've also taken long breaks from running. I love to race, but I no longer feel like I have to. Instead, I pay attention to what I actually want to do, how my body feels, and what makes sense in this current season of life.

All of this is to say: sometimes the most powerful move isn’t doubling down, but giving yourself permission to walk away, change things up, and try a new fueling and/or training approach.

And if you want to learn more about the power of joy, check out this podcast conversation I had a couple years ago with Sports Dietitian Dawn Blatner.

Want Support That Prioritizes Performance AND Joy?

If you’re tired of forcing results, obsessing over numbers, or feeling stuck in a cycle of burnout, you don’t have to figure out a new approach on your own. I help endurance athletes and active people fuel and train in ways that support energy, longevity, and yes... joy.

My Fuel for Life Crew membership is the easiest place to start, and gives you flexible, ongoing support. It’s designed for athletes navigating busy seasons who want guidance without pressure or perfection.

For just $39/month (cancel anytime), you get:

• Access to all past and future masterclasses and downloadable resources in my library

• Individual support from me

• A private Slack community of active people navigating similar challenges

  
  

This is the easiest and most cost effective way to get direct access to me so you can build habits that actually stick.

If you’re ready for deeper, individualized support, I’m also accepting a limited number of 1:1 nutrition coaching clients. Together, we’ll work through nutrition challenges, burnout, and rigid rules and rebuild a fueling strategy that supports your goals and your well-being.

If you’re not sure which option is right, you can fill out a new client inquiry form and we’ll start with a free discovery call to talk through what you need right now.

Sometimes the most powerful performance shift starts with getting support that actually fits your life.