The Eat for Endurance Podcast Jessie Diggins on Nutrition for Joy Resilience, Longevity, and Olympic Gold
“Healthy, happy and balanced athletes are the ones that make it across the finish line again and again throughout a long career and leave a legacy” - Jessie Diggins
In Episode 37 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m honored to be joined by cross-country skier and Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins. She is not only dominating her sport, but also using her platform to promote healthy fueling, body positivity, and the importance of enjoying food without restriction.
Jessie first made history at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, where she and her teammate Kikkan Randall won the first-ever American gold medal in cross-country skiing after an unforgettable, nail-biting sprint to the finish.
More recently, Jessie won the Tour de Ski, a grueling 10-day, 8-stage event in Switzerland and Italy that's part of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup season. Her win was groundbreaking, as she is the first American to ever claim this prestigious title. In fact, she was still in the Italian Dolomites recovering when we recorded this interview!
Beyond her athletic achievements, Jessie is a passionate advocate for eating disorder awareness and recovery. She struggled with bulimia as a teenager, and credits her treatment through the Emily Program with saving her life and enabling her to reach her full potential as an athlete. She shares her journey of resilience and self-discovery in her inspiring book, Brave Enough.
One thing that Jessie called out in our discussion is how too many endurance athletes get hung up on body size before a race. She reminds us that "Skinny doesn't win races. Fast wins races. It's who gets from point A to point B."
Instead of focusing on getting as lean as possible right before an event, she recommends asking yourself, "What do I need to have the energy to succeed here?...It's about showing up to the start line energized, positive, focused on what you can do" and being your healthiest, most confident self.
Jessie's message is a powerful reminder that fueling well, prioritizing health, and embracing joy are essential to both athletic success and overall well-being. Her relentless drive and commitment to her sport continue to set records and redefine what’s possible for U.S. cross-country skiing.
🎧 Tune in now for this inspiring conversation!
Learn More About Jessie:
- Jessie’s Website: https://jessiediggins.com
- Jessie on Instagram
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- Get in touch at claire@eatforendurance.com
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