The name Intuitive Athlete was born from my personal journey of navigating life after sport. Mind you my collegiate career ended in 2011 and here I am over a decade later still unpacking the impact that experience had on me. Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful for my time as a collegiate athlete. My athletic career helped shape me into the person I am today (who I happen to think is really cool and amazing😎 lol). I've embodied a lot of qualities from that era (thanks T-swift) that have made me a successful person. However, there were also some behaviors and beliefs I picked up that have stuck with me that no longer (if ever...?) served me.

After my collegiate career, I was always searching for the next program to follow. I didn't know otherwise. I needed someone to tell me exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. I didn't know how to move my body just because I enjoyed it and it felt good. There had to be a goal, a purpose, and periodized plan. If it wasn't long enough, if I didn't work hard enough, if I wasn't sore enough, it didn't "count."

When I started my yoga practice, my intention was similar: always do the "harder" option, do x amount of this style of class per week, don't rest in class ever. This pattern was the norm in my practice for some time, however, there were some instructors that introduced me to the idea of listening to my intuition and my body. Huh? If my arms were shaking, I could skip a chaturanga? It was okay to modify some poses? The yoga police wouldn't take away my "yogi badge of approval?" Did I listen to those instructors right away? Nope. I really wanted to hold onto my "yogi badge of approval" as long as I could. I totally understand the hesitation and resistance to a new way of relating to your body! With that continued reminder and permission that was offered to me, my perspective slowly started to shift. I dabbled in letting my body guide me rather than outside sources. And honestly, it changed my life! I'm grateful for the instructors that taught me to turn inward and connect to my body, rather than continuing to push and override it with my ego.

This mindset shift started to trickle over into my relationship with food. I started to learn more about intuitive eating and slowly started to let go of my food rules. With formal training as a registered dietitian, it took some time to not implement strict recommendations with myself. Through time and introspection of how this mindset impacted me and my life, it started to make so much more sense to not just let go of diet culture, but actively reject it. With this shift, I also rejected my athletic identity since it was so closely tied to my disordered eating and movement.

My original business name, Ember Wellness, was born from the idea of wanting to combine yoga and intuitive eating and it didn't really include my athletic background. It felt good to take a step away from athletics and give myself permission to explore this other part of myself. However, as I healed my personal relationship with exercise, I still wanted to be active and have goals/objectives in the mountains. But how could I do that while still being intuitive? That's the fallacy of black and white thinking - we think we have to choose. It feels like an either/or declaration. But what I realized is, I can be both. I can integrate and embody BOTH sides of me. Both/and thinking creates space for nuance.

That's where the shift from Ember Wellness to Intuitive Athlete came from.

So what does it mean to be an "Intuitive Athlete" then? The way I see it, an Intuitive Athlete is anyone who lives an active lifestyle - maybe they have goals/objectives, maybe not - and takes an intuitive approach to training, nutrition, and self-care. What does that look like?

• It means honoring hunger... AND sometimes not (ie practical hunger!) because you know you need to fuel before activity/work/events/etc.
• It means following a training planning.... AND modifying it if needed due to injury, travel plans, illness.
• It means pushing and challenging yourself ... AND being kind, compassionate, and understanding when things don't go according to plan.
• It means knowing what foods work and don't work for your body ... AND sometimes eating foods just because you like them.
• It means working hard... AND resting hard.
• It means committing to your goals... AND not letting those goals/achievements be the main source of your value and worth.
• It means pursuing strength, endurance, stamina... AND celebrating what your body can do now.
• It means letting yourself wear the "athlete" title... AND not having to fit the stereotypical appearance.

What else would you add to the list?

Do I have this "Intuitive Athlete" thing mastered? Hell no. This is a learning process for me as well! We are in this together. I know I'm not the only the only one who has struggled with this shift in identity and mindset. That's why I'm on a mission to deepen my understanding of what it means to be an intuitive athlete and share it with as many folks as possible so they can find a more intuitive approach to training, nutrition, and self-care. I believe this approach will create happier, healthier people who can still be athletes and also have room for the most fulfilling things in their life. I think life is better when we allow ourselves to be BOTH.

Can you relate? Share your story or thoughts in the comment section or shoot me an email! I'd love to hear from you!