In this episode of Project Unlaced, we’re joined by Hailey Goforth, a high school senior and the founder of the Crowded Minds Project. Hailey shares her personal journey with ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and emetophobia, and opens up about how therapy, medication, and a strong support system helped her through some of her lowest moments.

We dive into what inspired her to start the Crowded Minds Project, how sharing her story online became a tool for both healing and connection, and the impact her work has had on others in her community. Hailey also discusses the realities of stigma, comparison on social media, and the importance of setting boundaries while being vulnerable.

From practical self-care habits like “Self Love Sundays” to her hopes of expanding mental health advocacy into college, this conversation is an honest, encouraging look at how young people can turn lived experience into meaningful change.

In this episode, we're joined by Cami Merickel, a Division I runner for Nebraska Track & Field / Cross Country. Cami shares her journey from growing up in Phoenix and playing soccer to competing at the collegiate level and serving as a team captain.

We talk about navigating the recruiting process during COVID, adjusting to the demands of Division I training, and overcoming injuries and confidence setbacks. Cami also dives into how she discovered the 3K steeplechase, what makes it such a challenging (and painful) event, and why trusting your training is key.

Beyond racing, Cami discusses body image in distance running, her studies in Nutrition, Exercise & Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology, and how consistency, sleep, and mindset play a major role in performance. She also shares advice for young female athletes hoping to run in college and why your identity should never be defined by your sport alone.

Topics Covered:

• Soccer-to-running pipeline
• Recruiting during COVID
• Transitioning to college athletics
• Steeplechase & event specialization
• Injuries, burnout, and mental health
• Team culture & leadership
• Nutrition, psychology, and performance
• Advice for aspiring college athletes

Follow Cami on Instagram @camimerickel

Dr. Nicky Keay explains how the body conserves energy much like we do in daily life: slowing down with an empty petrol tank or using low-power mode on a phone. She connects these examples to metabolic rate, hormonal shifts, and how low energy availability can progress into REDs.

Key Takeaways

• The body reduces metabolic rate when energy is low, similar to low-power mode.
• Hormones act as signals, adjusting processes like thyroid function, reproduction, and recovery.
• Low energy availability can lead to REDs, affecting health and performance.
• Everyday behaviors around saving energy mirror biological energy-saving mechanisms.
• Understanding energy balance helps athletes make better training and fueling decisions.

Find out more about Dr. Keay's work here: https://nickykeayfitness.com/