Female Athlete Diaries
Real stories and conversations of the challenges females face during exercise, training, and racing through all stages of life. Stories of being steam rolled by PMT, the yo-yo of peri-menopause, losing confidence in your body, the diet that went too far, and many more. Listen to the experiences of other women, connect and breakthrough.
Female Athlete Diaries
An Inspirational Spin with Doctor Deb Latouf
An Inspirational Spin with Dr. Deborah Latouf
In this episode of Female Athlete Diaries, host Kirsty Sheehan speaks with Dr. Deborah (Deb) Latouf, a distinguished sports scientist, coach, and athlete with over 30 years of experience. Deb shares her early career journey, her role in the Talent Identification program for the Sydney Olympics, and her personal transition from elite coaching to focusing on age group and master's athletes. She delves into her experiences with disordered eating, the challenges of managing an athlete's health, and the importance of adaptive, personalized training. Deb also discusses the significance of work-life balance, philosophical shifts in coaching, and her renewed focus on the holistic well-being of her athletes. This episode is a rich exploration of the highs, lows, and transformative insights gained through a lifetime dedicated to sport.
00:00 Introduction to Female Athlete Diaries
00:40 Meet Dr. Deborah Latouf: A Journey in Sports Science
02:55 From Talent Identification to Olympic Success
04:55 The Philosophical Shift: Medals vs. Meaningful Impact
09:11 Transition to Coaching and Personal Athletic Pursuits
17:46 Challenges and Adaptations in Masters Athletics
20:39 The Role of a Modern Coach: Beyond Programming
24:07 Personal Health Challenges and Empathy in Coaching
26:19 Facing Setbacks and Adjusting Training
26:33 Mental Flexibility and Health Prioritization
30:01 Coaching Female Athletes: Bespoke Approaches
30:44 Managing Training Around Menstrual Cycles
35:55 Dynamic Programming and Athlete Feedback
38:28 Deb's Journey with Disordered Eating
47:36 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Joy in Sport
49:59 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes
*Contact Deb on: deborah@spindoctorcoaching.com.au