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Ep. 55 | Mental Health, Motivation, and Meaningful Metrics in Sports

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podcast

Episode Summary

What happens when body fat percentage becomes the defining marker of an athlete’s worth? In this episode, Dr. Nina Crowley sits down with Dr. Robyn Whitehead—sports psychologist, exercise physiologist, and professor—to explore the deep psychological and physical toll outdated coaching practices and misused body composition metrics can take on athletes.

Prompted by the article “Football, Fat, and a Culture of Fear” from The Athletic and NYT, this conversation dives into the pervasive culture of shame, surveillance, and mistrust surrounding body measurements in athletics. Dr. Whitehead shares how performance professionals can shift from a one-size-fits-all model to an inclusive, athlete-centered approach that emphasizes mental health, human connection, and meaningful metrics. Whether you’re coaching elite athletes or training everyday gym-goers, this episode challenges you to rethink how you use data—and how you communicate it.

Key Takeaways

Why relying on body fat % alone can harm athlete trust and performance
The mental health toll of outdated coaching and surveillance practices
How motivational interviewing fosters connection and lasting buy-in
Why athlete-centered communication and inclusive language matter
Lessons personal trainers can apply from sports psychology
How to use body composition as a supportive, educational tool

About Robyn H. Whitehead, Psy.D., ACSM EP

Dr. Robyn Whitehead is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator in Exercise Science at Stephen F. Austin State University. A licensed sports psychologist and ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, Dr. Whitehead has over 24 years of experience working across clinical, athletic, and academic settings. Her teaching and research focus on motivational interviewing, athlete mental health, and person-centered care in sport and exercise psychology.