Why weight-inclusive care changes everything for athletes with Heather Bergeson, MD, FAAP, CAQ — Feisty Women's Performance

What is weight-inclusive care? And why does it matter for *all* active women's health and performance?

Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with Dr. Heather Bergeson, a sports‑medicine physician and co‑director of the TRIA Women’s Sports Medicine program, to unpack five decades of fitness and diet fads. Past trends still shape today's wellness culture — and even if you think you're immune, you're not.

Key Takeaways

Follow the evolution of fitness and diet fads from the 1970s thin‑ideal to today’s protein-heavy, weighted‑vests—and understand how each era reinforces or challenges body‑image norms.
Why BMI is an unreliable health metric and how weight‑inclusive care improves patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Actionable steps for clinicians and coaches (e.g., avoid routine weighing, use neutral language, provide size‑accessible equipment)
And practical tips for listeners to break free from diet culture: ditch diet apps, focus on intuitive eating, prioritize sleep, and limit comparison‑driven fitness tracking.

Episode Resources:

TRIA Women’s Sports Medicine program: https://www.healthpartners.com/care/tria-orthopedics/services/womens-sports-medicine/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

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