Feb 18, 2026 · 35 min
In this candid conversation, Dakotah Popehn shares her journey from hockey goalie to Olympic Trials marathoner, but the heart of this episode goes deeper than training. She opens up about how disordered eating can spread through women’s teams “like cancer,” quietly shaping what athletes believe is normal. While that culture swirled around her, Dakotah kept her head down and stayed hungry to compete, not to shrink. She discusses fueling for performance, adapting to different race climates, preparing for the Olympic Trials, and why her future plans and goals as a 2024 Olympian. 00:00 Introduction and Minnesota Pride 02:52 Training Preferences and Cold Weather Gear 05:46 Transition from Hockey to Running 08:37 Long-Term Growth and Injury Prevention 11:24 The Olympic Dream and Career Aspirations 14:25 Nutrition and Fueling Mistakes 16:52 Fasted Running and Its Implications 20:35 Navigating Life as an Athlete and Professional 21:52 Heat Acclimatization for Olympic Trials 23:57 Nutrition Strategies for Endurance Racing 26:12 Carb Loading: Myths and Realities 28:35 The Emotional Journey of Competing 29:52 Training Adjustments for Paris Marathon 30:20 Pre-Race Rituals and Fueling 32:27 Taylor Swift: The Soundtrack of Training 35:30 Future Goals and Aspirations 37:56 Empowering Women in Endurance Sports Connect with Dakotah: Dakotah’s Instagram Dakotah’s Strava This episode of Endurance Eats is brought to you by Alex Larson’s 1:1 Nutrition Coaching. If you’ve ever wondered, Am I eating enough? Am I fueling this right? Why do I still feel tired? you’re not alone. Alex Larson Nutrition helps endurance athletes cut through the confusion and build a fueling plan that actually works for their training, lifestyle, and goals. You can learn more at alexlarsonnutrition.com. This episode is brought to you by Thorne. Shop Thorne Supplements and get 15% off Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Apply for 1:1 Coaching with an ALN Dietitian https://alexlarsonnutrition.com FREE Athlete Fueling Guide Tailwind Nutrition Dakotah Talks about Connect with Me: Instagram: @alexlarsonnutrition Website: alexlarsonnutrition.com Don’t Forget to Subscribe! Click that follow button to stay updated on future episodes packed with actionable insights and expert advice for endurance athletes. Have Questions or Suggestions? Send me a message, and I might cover it in a future episode!