Endurance Eats 47: Dakotah Popehn: The Road to the Paris Olympics
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:
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
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!