Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) is what happens when an athlete's energy intake doesn't match the demands of their training and life. It's not just about missing periods or being "too lean." Chronic low energy availability can suppress hormones, reduce bone mineral density, alter thyroid function, impair recovery, and decrease performance. What was once labeled the Female Athlete Triad was expanded in 2014 to reflect what research made clear: this affects all genders and multiple physiological systems.

In this post we unpack how RED-S develops over time, why it's easy to normalize in competitive environments, and the patterns coaches and athletes should be paying attention to. They discuss weight-class and aesthetic sports, repeated fat loss phases, carbohydrate availability, stress load, and how to align nutrition with training cycles without compromising long-term health. If you care about performance that lasts, this conversation is foundational.

Thinking about competing in Hyrox or CrossFit for the first time? Both sports have become increasingly popular because you don't need to be elite to compete, and the communities are incredibly welcoming. We're breaking down the key differences between these sports, the mindset shifts you need when going from working out to training to compete, and the most common first-timer mistake. We're also covering nutrition strategy, including how fueling differs between the two sports, why your best competition physique is the one you perform best in, and the importance of practicing game day nutrition. The goal of your first competition is simple: learn, finish proud, and walk away feeling more confident than when you started.

Creatine is often dismissed as a “gym bro” supplement, but it’s one of the safest, cheapest, and most effective tools for improving performance, recovery, and brain health—no matter your sport or age. The Black Iron team breaks down the myths, the science, and the real-world benefits behind creatine supplementation.

Sugar-free electrolytes might sound like the perfect solution—but in most cases, they don’t make much sense. Before you buy into the hype, it’s worth understanding what electrolytes actually do, when you need them, and why the ‘sugar-free’ promise isn’t the advantage it seems.

Hydration is more than “just drink more water.” In this post we break down how fluid balance impacts digestion, energy, performance, recovery, and even mood. Learn the real science behind electrolytes, why dehydration often disguises itself as hunger or fatigue, and practical ways to make hydration a habit without obsessing over supplements.

Why tying your self-worth to race results is a fast track to burnout. We break down healthy vs. unhealthy athlete identity, how to stop spiraling after bad performances, and why sport should add to your life—not take it over.

In this blog post, we’re diving into key insights from our latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where Krissy, Amanda, and Chelsea unpack what it really takes to train for multiple sports at once. Whether you’re juggling CrossFit and marathon training, strength and endurance goals, or just love doing a bit of everything, this episode breaks down the difference between hybrid, multi-sport, and concurrent training—and why that matters. The team shares how to prioritize sessions, fuel properly, recover smarter, and set realistic expectations when you’re trying to excel in more than one discipline. If you’re wondering whether you can train for everything without burning out, this one’s for you.