Ep. 23 3 Powerful Lessons from Olympians to Help Your Intuitive Eating Journey

[00:00:01] [SPEAKER_00]: As most things, this year's Olympic Games have had its fair share of controversy and I am not here to get into any of it.

[00:00:11] [SPEAKER_00]: But I have loved the Olympics this year. I have loved cheering for Team USA and that feeling of being united with the country and Americans in all, wanting like the same in goal of that gold medal.

[00:00:24] [SPEAKER_00]: But what I really have loved about the Olympics are the stories about the athletes. There's stories about overcoming adversity and the stories about the hard work they put in and the lessons that they can teach all of us and how we are living our lives every single day.

[00:00:43] [SPEAKER_00]: And today I want to share a few of these key lessons and key takeaways that stuck out to me from this year's Olympics.

[00:00:53] [SPEAKER_00]: And how I hope that some of these stories may be just what you need to hear to help you on your intuitive eating and faith-led wellness journey.

[00:01:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the Nourished to Bloom podcast where you're faith, meet your health. I'm your host Kara Trochta, a registered dietician and certified Catholic coach

[00:01:12] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'm here to help you cultivate a deeper connection with your body, your spirit, and the nourishment that sustains them both.

[00:01:19] [SPEAKER_00]: In a world filled with noise and confusion about food, health and body image, the podcast offers truth and healing from a Christ-centered perspective.

[00:01:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Together we'll untangle the deep roots of diet culture and discover what it means to truly care for ourselves through joyful nourishment of mind, body, and soul.

[00:01:39] [SPEAKER_00]: We heard a dive into the transformative power of intuitive eating coupled with the rich teachings of our Christian faith.

[00:01:46] [SPEAKER_00]: With every episode I'll be cheering you on offering insights, inspiration, and practical tools to help you heal your relationship with food and embrace the beauty of your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER_00]: With confidence and courage that can only be found in Christ.

[00:02:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Join me as we journey together towards a more holistic approach to wellness, when that honors the wisdom of your body as God's creation,

[00:02:11] [SPEAKER_00]: the teachings of our faith and the unique purpose you're called to fulfill.

[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_00]: You were made to bloom, to come into full beauty and health in order to bear good fruit for the Lord with your life.

[00:02:23] [SPEAKER_00]: So if you're ready to nourish your body, feed your soul and bloom into the best version of yourself, then you're in the right place and I'm so happy you're here.

[00:02:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to Nurs to Bloom.

[00:02:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Where every day is a sacred invitation to thrive.

[00:02:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Hey there!

[00:02:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome back to another episode of the Nurs to Bloom podcast.

[00:02:45] [SPEAKER_00]: I hope you are having a great week so far and just excited to be back here with y'all.

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_00]: These Olympics have really been a lot of fun to watch.

[00:02:54] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm a little sad that they're over now, but I've had really enjoyed it.

[00:03:00] [SPEAKER_00]: I've enjoyed watching you with my kids and showing them just different, all the different sports that are out there.

[00:03:06] [SPEAKER_00]: I think there's a lot of things they didn't realize where Olympic sports like table tennis and handball and all sorts of things.

[00:03:14] [SPEAKER_00]: And being in the middle of summer, you know, that screen time just definitely didn't count did it.

[00:03:19] [SPEAKER_00]: So I wanted to use this episode to take some time to highlight just some big takeaways that really spoke to me from some of the athletes that I think you could benefit from too.

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_00]: They are good reminders of things we likely already know, but it's always nice to have the reminders, especially when these messages are given by people who are on such a big stage.

[00:03:46] [SPEAKER_00]: And what I really love about them is that they don't just apply to those athletes who are on the big stage.

[00:03:53] [SPEAKER_00]: These are things that are really relevant to us every single one of us in our daily lives.

[00:03:59] [SPEAKER_00]: So let's dive in.

[00:04:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Okay, so take away one was really this message of embracing and celebrating body diversity.

[00:04:08] [SPEAKER_00]: And so let's start with Alana Mayor.

[00:04:12] [SPEAKER_00]: She's a US women's rugby sevens Olympian, the USA Women's Rugby team when their first ever Olympic medal they, they won the bronze medal and it was just really exciting.

[00:04:25] [SPEAKER_00]: You may know Alana from her social media where she's blown up, I think she went from like having 600,000 followers to now like over 2 million over the course of Olympics.

[00:04:37] [SPEAKER_00]: But she's been an outspoken advocate for body positivity and diversity.

[00:04:44] [SPEAKER_00]: She through her messages has really emphasized that all body types can be Olympians that everybody is worthy,

[00:04:52] [SPEAKER_00]: everybody is beautiful and capable of amazing things.

[00:04:58] [SPEAKER_00]: And if you go on to her social media and you're just in your scrolling through her content, she's really also promoted the idea of proper nourishment and the importance of fueling your body.

[00:05:09] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think this is a really strong message particularly for young female athletes, especially because those teenage years where girls are feeling that pressure to be thin and to have their body look a certain way.

[00:05:25] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think it's just such a disservice, especially, I mean it's a disservice to all women and to all teenagers and to all females, but especially to female athletes.

[00:05:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Because they are typically under-nourishing their bodies.

[00:05:40] [SPEAKER_00]: She's also shared a lot of her personal struggles with BMI and how she worked with her registered dietitian to overcome them and really understand how to properly nourish her body as an athlete and as a woman.

[00:05:54] [SPEAKER_00]: And her messages really clear that all bodies are different and that's what makes them uniquely able to live out calling, whether they're Olympians or not.

[00:06:08] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think this message is critical, especially in a world that constantly pushes a narrow ideal of beauty.

[00:06:14] [SPEAKER_00]: We need to realize that it's okay for our bodies to look different from others.

[00:06:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Our differences are what make us special and capable of fulfilling the roles that God has planned for us.

[00:06:27] [SPEAKER_00]: And on a personal note, I really love following Alana because, fun fact, I actually played Rugby in college.

[00:06:35] [SPEAKER_00]: And for a long time, I was always hesitant to share that I played Rugby because there's always like this stigma or this judgment that often came with playing what is seen as like a manly sport.

[00:06:50] [SPEAKER_00]: And anytime I would say, oh, I played Rugby, it kind of get this look like what?

[00:06:56] [SPEAKER_00]: And oftentimes that fueled my own body insecurities and it made me feel like I had to justify that playing Rugby didn't make me any less of a woman.

[00:07:08] [SPEAKER_00]: And so I think Alana's message can speak directly to this because she really reminds us that we do not have to sacrifice our femininity in sports.

[00:07:18] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think on a bigger note, it's knowing that we don't have to sacrifice our femininity in anything that we're doing.

[00:07:25] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think this really reminds me of St. Pope, St. Pope, John Paul II's letter to women where he talks about our feminine genius, the unique dignity and beauty that we bring into the world.

[00:07:39] [SPEAKER_00]: And through our bodies, we are able to make God visible in how we work and how we love, play, care, and serve.

[00:07:48] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think that's a really important message for all of us to remember.

[00:07:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Especially as we are on our own intuitive eating and faith led wellness journeys, is that that body diversity is critical.

[00:08:03] [SPEAKER_00]: And it's necessary because we are each called to live out those vocations in very different ways.

[00:08:12] [SPEAKER_00]: And you know, if you looked at all the Olympians that we're competing, you had, you know, some who were very short, some who were very tall, some who were big, some who had really long legs, some.

[00:08:24] [SPEAKER_00]: And the thing about it is that each one of those bodies had a unique purpose and being able to play that particular sport.

[00:08:33] [SPEAKER_00]: And we can take that in our own personal lives, that each of our bodies has a unique purpose in any unique way to live out our our callings.

[00:08:44] [SPEAKER_00]: And so our bodies are perfectly made for what God is calling us to do and the way that he is calling us to live out our vocations.

[00:08:54] [SPEAKER_00]: So that leads to takeaway number two that your mindset really matters.

[00:09:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Another powerful lesson comes from Simone Biles who was really a central figure in this year's Olympics.

[00:09:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Her journey was really remarkable not just for her victories, but also for the setbacks that she had.

[00:09:14] [SPEAKER_00]: I remember watching one event where a commentator was talking about Simone and talking about her technique and her performance and whatever apparatus she was on and like the message that I took away was like, she's human not a machine.

[00:09:29] [SPEAKER_00]: And like in that moment I couldn't agree more, I was like fist pumping on the couch like yes we are human we are not machines and our kids and we ourselves need to see that making mistakes and experiencing setbacks and continuing to try our all a part of our life.

[00:09:48] [SPEAKER_00]: We are our kids biggest role models and when we show that we can act with perseverance that we can have fortitude to continue the journey to continue to run the race.

[00:10:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Despite setbacks despite failures despite not winning, despite not being perfect that is exactly what our kids need to see and I think too often when we have the celebrity role models are kids only see success.

[00:10:18] [SPEAKER_00]: They only see what comes at the end of all their hard work and I think it's just really important that we as parents show them the whole story and you know we can talk about that from the Olympics and hearing the stories that are shared there but this is also you know personal to how each one of us as parents are living our lives to be role models for our children.

[00:10:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Because we live in a culture that often pushes perfectionism much like diet culture has done with our views on food and health.

[00:10:49] [SPEAKER_00]: But we have to remember and we have to teach our children that perfection is an illusion and it's 100% not sustainable.

[00:10:58] [SPEAKER_00]: And Simone as well as other athlete athletes have shown us that mental and emotional health are just as important as physical health.

[00:11:07] [SPEAKER_00]: And they stood up for themselves when the pressure became too much and I think that just helps us to remind us that it's okay to prioritize our well-being over unrealistic expectations.

[00:11:19] [SPEAKER_00]: And this lesson is so relevant to an intuitive eating because just like in sports our journey towards health isn't about perfection.

[00:11:28] [SPEAKER_00]: It's about progress and it's about compassion and it's about balance and we'll have setbacks on the way.

[00:11:35] [SPEAKER_00]: But we have to remember that our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being are too important to continue to sacrifice and be victims to the demands of diet culture.

[00:11:47] [SPEAKER_00]: And I think that leaning into Romans chapter 12 verse 2 that says do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

[00:11:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good pleasing and perfect will.

[00:12:04] [SPEAKER_00]: I think this is just so necessary and such a scripture to lean into when it comes to our mindset and when it comes to things like mental health.

[00:12:15] [SPEAKER_00]: And being able to know and understand what really is from God, what is his truth and what is not and then letting his truth be our guide for our emotions and ultimately the actions and behaviors that we have.

[00:12:32] [SPEAKER_00]: And this really leads into take away number three that God must be at the center because I really feel like the most inspiring takeaway for me was seeing athletes glorify God on this world stage.

[00:12:48] [SPEAKER_00]: And it's becoming more common in sports and professional sports and we're seeing more athletes really stand up for their faith and embrace their faith and share it with the world on a big stage and I love it.

[00:13:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Because our society often tries to suppress faith and suppress us being vocal about our faith and we've been quiet for too long.

[00:13:13] [SPEAKER_00]: I know personally it was something that I struggled with in creating the podcast and in creating a program for so long I was scared to make anything I did.

[00:13:25] [SPEAKER_00]: I was afraid to talk about my faith or incorporate in anything that I was doing because one I didn't know if I knew enough.

[00:13:34] [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I all I've admitted so many times I am not at theologian and I a lot of what I share with how scripture has spoken to me or how the lives of the Saints have inspired me and help me on my own faith led wellness journey.

[00:13:50] [SPEAKER_00]: And then I also worried about what other people would think if I if I shared this and what I have been anybody and I can say that ever since really leaning into God's calling to make what I do faith based and to incorporate scripture and incorporate church teachings and to really live my faith in what I am sharing here.

[00:14:14] [SPEAKER_00]: I have really never felt more complete and I've really never felt like I've known myself better how to close relationship with the Lord before being able to do that.

[00:14:25] [SPEAKER_00]: But one interview from the Olympics that that really stood out to me was with track star Sidney McLaughlin, a Leveroni.

[00:14:33] [SPEAKER_00]: And in this interview she was asked about her sharing her faith and if that was something that she did and she responded, you know quote, I credit all that I do to God.

[00:14:46] [SPEAKER_00]: He's given me a gift he's given me a desire to just want to continue to improve upon myself.

[00:14:52] [SPEAKER_00]: And I have a platform and I want to use it to glorify him.

[00:14:57] [SPEAKER_00]: So whenever I step on that track, it's always a prayer of God let me be the vessel in which you are glorified whatever the result is.

[00:15:07] [SPEAKER_00]: End quote, I mean wow.

[00:15:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Like imagine if we all embrace that and we all approach life with that same attitude.

[00:15:18] [SPEAKER_00]: We all have unique gifts whether we're Olympians or mothers or teachers or nurses or religious sisters or anything else.

[00:15:27] [SPEAKER_00]: And using our gifts and our vocations allows us to glorify God.

[00:15:32] [SPEAKER_00]: And we all have a platform.

[00:15:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Our lives are our platform to share that praise and to lead others to Christ.

[00:15:41] [SPEAKER_00]: And I really think Colossians chapter three verse 17 really summarizes the way that we should live life.

[00:15:49] [SPEAKER_00]: And it says, and whatever you do, whether in word or deed do it all in name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him.

[00:16:00] [SPEAKER_00]: I think that just perfectly summarizes how.

[00:16:04] [SPEAKER_00]: How we can live our lives and take what you know, Sydney shared in her interview and how she embraces her faith and uses her faith and uses her gifts in her her talents to glorify God.

[00:16:18] [SPEAKER_00]: As a track star and how we in our everyday lives can do the same thing.

[00:16:23] [SPEAKER_00]: And how you know it reminds me of you know mother Teresa's quote that says if you want to change the world go home and love your family.

[00:16:31] [SPEAKER_00]: How we can do that within our own homes and by starting it in our own homes, it leads to being able to share it in more places in our lives.

[00:16:40] [SPEAKER_00]: And I just want you to remember that you were made for more than just losing weight and worrying about your body.

[00:16:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Your body is perfect for sharing your gifts to love and serve the Lord and others.

[00:16:53] [SPEAKER_00]: And it's time that we really embody some of these takeaways from the Olympics of embracing and celebrating our bodies.

[00:17:04] [SPEAKER_00]: You know, really doing the work around our mindset and putting Christ at the center of all of this.

[00:17:08] [SPEAKER_00]: And so it's time to overcome those obstacles and distractions of your eating problems and dieting and weight loss struggles and body image issues.

[00:17:19] [SPEAKER_00]: So you too can live the life you were created for just like the Olympic athletes that we saw competing to share the unique gifts that you have been given so others can see Christ in you.

[00:17:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Those Olympians were competing for Team USA y'all we are all Christians competing and a part of Team Jesus cheering each other on towards that common goal of eternal life with our father and heaven.

[00:17:50] [SPEAKER_00]: So I just want to close the scripture from St Paul second letter to Timothy and which he says, I have thought the good fight.

[00:17:57] [SPEAKER_00]: I have finished the race.

[00:17:59] [SPEAKER_00]: I have kept the faith that's from second Timothy chapter four verse seven.

[00:18:04] [SPEAKER_00]: It should be inspiring for all of us to fight the good fight to finish the race and to keep the faith.

[00:18:11] [SPEAKER_00]: So thank you so much for joining me today. I hope these takeaways from the Olympic Olympians have been inspiring for you and I just want to share like in taking these inspiring inspirations and takeaways.

[00:18:26] [SPEAKER_00]: This is really how I viewed what they were saying and and what the takeaways were from them.

[00:18:33] [SPEAKER_00]: But I want to remind you to not forget that the faith led food freedom program will be starting in September and registration for the program is going to open up next week.

[00:18:44] [SPEAKER_00]: So be sure to join the wait list at waitlist.careatrocta.com.

[00:18:49] [SPEAKER_00]: So you get notification on when registration opens.

[00:18:53] [SPEAKER_00]: You get to become a founding member as well as access to a special bonus that's available only to those who are on the wait list.

[00:19:02] [SPEAKER_00]: So be sure to go check that out at waitlist.careatrocta.com and I hope you have a beautiful and blessed week now go blue.