Female injury prevention finally gets its own research with Dr. Margo Mountjoy

What does it really take to keep women athletes healthy, performing, and in sport for the long haul?

Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with Dr. Margo Mountjoy, one of the world’s leading voices in sports medicine, female athlete health, injury prevention, and athlete advocacy. Dr. Mountjoy has contributed to more than 20 International Olympic Committee consensus statements and recently served on the steering committee for the FAIR (Female Athlete Injury Prevention) consensus statement — a major global effort to close the research and implementation gaps in women’s sports.

She explains why the old “shrink it and pink it” approach to female athlete science doesn't work and why injury prevention is about far more than doing a few extra exercises. It's about neuromuscular training, load management, REDs, recovery, menstrual cycle tracking, sociological barriers, pregnancy and postpartum athlete support, and the systemic-level changes needed to make sport safer for girls and women.

What you need to know as a female athlete:

• Neuromuscular training for ACL injury prevention, balance, landing mechanics, and performance
• Training load management and why rapid load changes increase injury risk
• Periodization, recovery, and the importance of long-term athlete development
• REDs, fueling, sleep, stress, and sustainable performance
• Why menstrual cycle-based training should be individualized
• Warning signs that an athlete may need more recovery
• And the gap in research and implementation when it comes to women's sports

Plus, some practical guidance for recreational athletes, who may not think they're "serious enough" to need coaching, strength training, or nutrition support. If you have a goal, then you deserve the tools to pursue it well. We need more than scaled-down male science!

If you found this conversation valuable, hit subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave a review on your favorite platform. Have questions or topics you’d like us to explore? DM us on Instagram.

Watch on YouTube

FeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/

Register for FeistyFit: https://livefeisty.com/training/running/feistyfitfall/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo