BY KATHLEEN LENINGER (PT & DPT)
I have to be honest, I totally judged the book by its cover on this one. There was something about seeing a “perfect” athlete that made me feel like I was not going to get real science in this book. But I am happy to say that I was very wrong.
Stacy Sims, MSC, Ph.D. is an exercise physiologist and nutritionist who has worked with the most elite athletes in the world. In the book ROAR, she uses her expertise to explain body systems in layman’s terms, and there are plenty of resources in this book if you want more information. Stacy does a great job debunking fitness myths and focuses on real scientific facts.
This book is for people that really want to make a change and are ready to hear the hard stuff. If you think you are dealing with RED-S, or you want to avoid RED-S, this is the book for you. You will not find weight loss tips, quick fixes, or any other “wellness” trends. Instead, you will find scientific information about caloric intake, protein synthesis, hydration, and other important nutritional facts.
One of the most important parts of this book is about periods. Research about training cycles and your period is still very new, so it is hard to get information from reputable sources. In my opinion, this book gives the best information regarding this topic, as well as menopause and pregnancy. These are topics that are so important but rarely talked about.
If you are a woman and an athlete, at any stage of your athletic life, you should read this book. If you are a trainer or coach for girls and women, you should read this book. It is for any woman that wants to become a better athlete, not a woman looking for a hot trend.