In a lot of young people, dedication is something we actively encourage. Showing up to training, being disciplined, pushing through discomfort – these are often seen as strengths. And in many ways, they are.
But sometimes, what starts as commitment can quietly shift into something more rigid and harder to step back from.
We often hear from parents and coaches who describe a young person becoming increasingly strict with themselves. Training doesn’t get missed, even when they’re unwell or exhausted. Food rules become tighter. Rest feels undeserved. There’s less flexibility, less ease, and less room for friends, family, anything that interrupts their routine.
At first, this can be easy to praise. It can look like focus, motivation, or ‘doing what it takes’.
But over time, the tone can change. There may be more anxiety around performance, more distress when routines are disrupted, or a growing sense that nothing ever feels ‘enough’, no matter how well they are doing.
Sometimes there are physical signs too – recurring injuries, fatigue that doesn’t lift, or continuing to train through what others would consider clear rest periods.
What can make this particularly complex is that sport environments often reinforce these behaviours. High standards are expected. Discipline is valued. Pushing through is normalised. So early concerns don’t always stand out in the moment.
This is where perspective matters. Not to remove sport or achievement, but to notice when the relationship with it starts to change, feel less balanced, or more driven by anxiety than enjoyment.
Families often describe a moment later on where they realise the shift didn’t happen suddenly – it built gradually, and was easy to miss while it was unfolding.
It can help to look at what’s changed over time, rather than focusing on any single behaviour.
Early awareness isn’t about stepping in at the first sign of dedication. It’s about noticing when wellbeing starts to rate less than performance, rather than alongside it.
And when something doesn’t quite sit right, talking it through with someone who understands eating disorders can help bring clarity – particularly in environments where high achievement can sometimes mask early concerns.
Author, Sarah Rowland, spoke at the recent Eating Disorders: A Community Conversation event hosted by Health Action Wānaka, with support from REAP and Path Wānaka.
If you would like further information, support, or guidance around eating disorders and available pathways, please reach out to the Path Wānaka team.