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.

Wearable data is everywhere, but what do those numbers actually mean? This post breaks down heart rate variability, sleep metrics, and recovery scores: what they're measuring (and what they're not), why trends matter more than single-day numbers, and how lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and alcohol can shift your data. Learn how to use wearable data to train smarter and recover better without letting it run your life or create more anxiety than insight.

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.

Is intermittent fasting a metabolic loophole? A biohack that tricks your body into burning fat faster? Spoiler: no. Fasting isn't magic, and it doesn't change the basic rules of fat loss. But that doesn't mean it's useless. We're breaking down what fasting actually does in your body, why people think it works, when it might be helpful, and when it's likely to backfire. Plus, we'll tell you exactly who should avoid fasting altogether (hint: if you're training for performance, this probably isn't for you).

Active recovery is wildly misunderstood. Most people either skip it entirely or accidentally turn it into another training day, thinking a "chill" 11-mile run counts as recovery. We're breaking down what active recovery actually means, why it's critical even for everyday gym-goers, and the biggest mistakes people make (like undereating on recovery days or joining group fitness classes when you should be resting). From understanding what low intensity actually feels like to recognizing when life stress means you need to back off training, we're covering how to structure recovery that supports your progress. Because your body doesn't get stronger during training, it happens during recovery. If you're always tired, sore, and burnt out, proper active recovery might be the missing piece.

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.

In this blog post, we’re breaking down key takeaways from our latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where Maggie is joined by registered dietitian Lauren Step and PhD candidate Chris to tackle a topic that’s often confusing (and sometimes overwhelming): supplements. From multivitamins and magnesium to creatine and greens powders, this conversation dives into when supplements are actually useful, when they’re not worth the hype, and how to avoid common pitfalls when navigating the supplement industry. Whether you’re an athlete, a health enthusiast, or just trying to cover your bases, this episode will help you make more informed—and safer—decisions when it comes to what you’re putting in your body.

In this blog post, we’re diving into key takeaways from our latest podcast episode on maximizing recovery. We break down the conversation with actionable strategies to help you optimize rest days, balance active recovery with full rest, and fuel your body for better performance. If this resonates with you, be sure to check out the full episode for an even more in-depth discussion!

The supplement industry is filled with promises, but not all of them hold up under scientific scrutiny. In this blog post we take a deep dive into the most common pre-workout ingredients and their real benefits.

Dive into the world of 'Fuel for the Work Required' (FFW) with Coach Amanda as she breaks down the intricacies of optimizing performance through targeted nutrition. Learn how FFW can enhance your training regimen, adapt to your unique energy demands, and propel you towards your fitness goals.

Whether you're lacing up your shoes for the first time or seeking to improve your performance, running coach Chelsea Myntti share valuable advice to guide your running journey. Explore essential tips on pacing, recovery, nutrition, and more to maximize your potential and enhance your running experience.

This is a fun workout to finish the ‘24 Open with, even though the pain is going to BE THERE. Grip management is going to be huge, and not coming out too hot.

Just like that, we are rolling into week 2 of the 2024 CrossFit open. The nerves are still in the mix, but we have gotten our toes in the water and know that the training we have been putting in will shine through. It’s time to put our heads down and WORK, let’s have some fun with this twenty-minute grind. 

It’s our favorite time of the year - the start of a new CrossFit Games season!! All of the excitement and nerves mean that you care, that this is important, and we’re FIRED UP to give you some suggestions on how to structure your eating the day before, and day of the Open workout.

Chelsea delve’s into the essential aspects of fueling for ultramarathons, what to consume in the days leading up to the race, during the event itself, and post-race recovery. She also includes examples from her prep for the Mogollon Monster 100 and lessons learned from what went wrong during the race. 

Have you ever wondered if training on a low carb diet could be beneficial for overall endurance performance? Enter the "Train Low, Compete High" strategy: an approach where athletes manipulate carb intake during training to push metabolic boundaries and heighten glycogen usage thresholds. By staying low-carb during training and refilling glycogen before events, athletes might delay tapping into these energy stores, theoretically enhancing endurance. But how substantial is the evidence?