Sophie Vecchione: Injury risk, hormonal health, RED-S and building a strong, resilient female athlete.

In this episode, we’re joined by physiotherapist, trail runner and running-rehab specialist Sophie Vecchione for an in-depth conversation on RED-S, stress fractures, hormones and long-term athlete health.

We explore why injuries like stress fractures are becoming increasingly common, how low energy availability and under-recovery impact the body, and why understanding hormonal health is essential for female athletes.

In this episode we cover:
• What RED-S actually is (and why it’s more than just under-fuelling)• Stress fractures, bone health, and why they occur• How hormones influence injury risk across different life stages• Why postpartum and peri-/post-menopause are higher-risk periods for active women• The importance of menstrual health and building bone density in your teens and 20s• Exercise dependency, recovery, and the cost of chronic under-recovery• How to train for performance without compromising long-term health

Sophie breaks down complex and often misunderstood topics with clarity, offering practical insights for runners and athletes navigating training through different phases of life.

Whether you’re a runner, CrossFit or HYROX athlete, or simply someone who trains regularly, this episode offers essential knowledge to help you stay healthy, resilient and performing well long-term.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts

Follow Sophie over on instagram : @runfreerehab

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