logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
1h 2m

217: Pro Soccer Player Gains Weight (and...

Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes, The Radcast Network
About this episode

In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes, a registered sports dietitian, interviews Jules Vazquez, a former Division I and professional soccer player who struggled with disordered eating, exercise addiction, and hypothalamic amenorrhea. Jules shares her journey of recognizing the unhealthy extremes she went to in pursuit of athletic success, the severe health complications she faced, and her gradual path to recovery.

Through incremental changes like eating more, implementing rest days, reducing high-intensity workouts, and working with a functional medicine practitioner, Jules was able to restore her health, including regaining her menstrual cycle and healing gut issues. The conversation highlights the importance of listening to your body, redefining discipline, and having a strong support system. Jules' story is a powerful reminder of the consequences of extreme behavior and the challenging but rewarding journey towards true health and balance.

Jules Vazquez is passionate about helping female athletes avoid the struggles she went through. She recently launched BalancedFemlete (like Female Athlete) an Instagram platform where she shares her journey and empowers women to rebuild their health, redefine their identity without extremes, and find balance.

Outside of her advocacy work, Jules is a health sciences professor and works in the health tech space, blending her academic expertise with real-world experience to drive meaningful change in how we approach female athlete health.

Episode Highlights:

  • 01:31 Meet Jules Vazquez: A Journey of Struggle and Triumph
  • 03:22 The Dark Side of Perfectionism in Sports
  • 06:39 The Physical and Mental Toll of Disordered Eating
  • 07:41 The Path to Recovery: Recognizing the Need for Change
  • 17:55 Health Consequences and the Road to Healing
  • 27:19 The Decision to Step Away from Soccer
  • 34:07 Finding Your Why
  • 35:24 First Steps to Recovery
  • 36:12 Adjusting Exercise and Diet
  • 44:37 Healing the Gut
  • 46:25 The Role of Testing and Professional Help
  • 53:20 Current State and Future Plans
  • 57:26 Advice for Others
  • 01:01:29 Conclusion and Resources

Connect with Jules on Instagram @balancedfemlete

For more information about the show, head to work with Lindsey on improving your nutrition, head to:

http://www.lindseycortes.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Today
232: Water Polo, Endurance Sports, and AI Sports Nutrition with Elizabeth Inpyn
In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes and guest Elizabeth Inpyn, a certified sports nutritionist, discuss Elizabeth's extensive background in water polo and triathlon, the challenges of teen athlete nutrition, and the innovative us ... Show More
1h 2m
Jul 3
231: Perfectionism & Addiction: Dr. Samantha Harte's Approach to Holistic Healing
In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes speaks with Dr. Samantha Harte, a distinguished physical therapist, author, and advocate for holistic wellness. Dr. Harte shares her journey through addiction, perfectionism, and trauma, highli ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 26
230: Travel Nutrition: Eating On-the-Go with Sports RD Claire Shorenstein
Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes, host of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, interviews fellow sports dietician Claire Shorenstein about navigating nutrition challenges for female athletes, particularly in the context of travel. Claire shares her personal journey of becoming a board-c ... Show More
56m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
Optimizing Protein Intake with Prof. Stuart Phillips
Join us as we dive into the science of protein with Professor Stuart Phillips, a renowned expert in sports nutrition and muscle metabolism. In this episode, we explore the optimal timing of protein intake for muscle growth and recovery, debunk common myths about protein sources ( ... Show More
1h 26m
Jun 2024
Bonus Episode - Insights with Ideal Nutrition Featuring Leah Higl
This bonus episode is another feature on the new podcast ‘Insights with Ideal Nutrition’ hosted by Hanah Mills.  Hanah Interviews Sports Dietitian, Leah Higl, on nutrition considerations for gaining muscle on a plant-based diet.   (0:00) - Introduction (1:27) - 5 Most Important F ... Show More
34m 46s
Apr 25
2956: How Much Protein Should I Consume After A Workout
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2956:Dr. Neal Malik breaks down the science behind post-workout nutrition, offering practical advice on protein, carbs, and ... Show More
14m 11s
Jan 2025
2845: Carbohydrates: Yes? No? Friend? Foe? by Nancy Clark on How to Improve Athletic Performance
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2845:Nancy Clark explores the polarizing views on carbohydrates in sports diets, highlighting how they can be both fuel for ... Show More
12m 38s
Jul 2024
2647: The ABC's of Sports Nutrition by Nancy Clark on Eating Advice for Athletes
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2647:Nancy Clark simplifies sports nutrition with her ABCs, offering practical tips for athletes to optimize performance thr ... Show More
13m 50s
Nov 2024
2772: Protein Timing When Working Out & Intermittent Fasting
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2772:After strength training, consuming leucine-rich protein and carbohydrates soon afterward may maximize muscle growth. Ti ... Show More
10m 33s
Aug 2024
2652: How to Fuel When Running a Marathon - Runner Gel Products & Staying Hydrated When Jogging
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2652:When training for a half marathon, fueling your body properly is crucial for optimal performance. Dr. Neal discusses th ... Show More
16m 2s
Mar 2025
Rethinking Protein: Simple Changes To Help You Burn Fat, Increase Energy, Get Stronger & Live Longer with Dr Rupy Aujla #534
Often misunderstood as simply being about muscles and bodybuilding, protein is, in fact, the fundamental building block of life – forming everything from our DNA and skin to our enzymes and hormones. And today's returning guest believes that many of us are simply not eating enoug ... Show More
2 h
Apr 2
Dr. Michael Ormsbee: Food Timing, Nutrition & Supplements for Fat Loss, Muscle Growth & Recovery
My guest is Dr. Michael Ormsbee, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition and integrative physiology and the director of the Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine at Florida State University. We explore how pre-sleep nutrition affects fat metabolism, muscle growth, performance, and re ... Show More
2h 32m
Jul 2024
2636: Protein Powder - How to Find Pure & Healthy Protein Supplements
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2636:Ari seeks guidance on choosing the right protein supplement as a woman aiming to gain muscle. Dr. Neal explains the pro ... Show More
13m 25s