Eating Disorders · Texas behavioral health news
Kiwi cyclist steps away from the sport to focus on eating disorder recovery - NZ Herald
Eating Disorders (Google News) · June 27, 2026
In plain language
World-champion mountain biker Sammie Maxwell is taking a year-long break from professional cycling to focus on her recovery from anorexia nervosa. After years of balancing high-level competition with a long-term eating disorder, she is choosing to prioritize specialized therapy and physical health. The athlete shared that the demands of training and constant eating for fuel often triggered a fight-or-flight response that made recovery difficult. By stepping away from the sport, she hopes to address underlying issues like low bone density and finally overcome her illness.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Champion cyclist Sammie Maxwell has stepped away from her sport to enter full-time treatment for an eating disorder.
- Health concerns included low bone density, unregulated hormones, and poor reproductive health related to anorexia.
- Elite sports environments can make it difficult to distinguish between athletic drive and disordered eating behaviors.
- Constant refueling for sports can cause recurring stress responses for those recovering from eating disorders.
- Maxwell emphasizes the importance of choosing personal health and recovery over professional performance goals.
Kiwi cyclist steps away from the sport to focus on eating disorder recovery NZ Herald
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