Running from Perfection

My Journey from Eating Disorders to Endurance Sports-and the Neuroscience Behind It

By: Caitlin Massone

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Paperback | 1 April 2025

At a Glance

Paperback
268 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
21.6 x 14.0 x 1.54

Paperback

$30.79

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She thought perfection was the goal-until she started chasing freedom.

As a teenager, Caitlin Massone developed an eating disorder, a secret struggle that consumed her for fourteen years. Even as she completed medical school, residency, and a fellowship in neurology, she fought a relentless battle with anorexia, binge eating, and bulimia.

In Running from Perfection, Massone recounts how she broke free from destructive patterns by turning to the healing power of nature and endurance sports. Running and mountaineering offered her a form of therapy more effective than anything she had experienced in a psychologist's office.

Drawing on her medical expertise, Massone deftly weaves in discussion of the brain's role in eating disorders, the interplay of nature and nurture, the formation of habits, and the roles of serotonin and dopamine in mental health. She also examines how exercise can both exacerbate and heal disordered eating behaviors.

As a neurologist, Massone offers a unique, candid perspective on how her brain betrayed her and how she regained balance. From her Appalachian roots to summiting Mount Rainier, her story is one of resilience, recovery, and rediscovering strength through nature and movement.

Industry Reviews

"Blending personal narrative with scientific insight, this book is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. For anyone who has struggled with perfectionism, self-doubt, or the search for meaning, this is a story of hope, perseverance, and the transformative power of movement in the great outdoors."

-HILLARY ALLEN, professional ultrarunner and author of Out and Back: A Runner's Story of Survival Against All Odds

"Caitlin's powerful story is a must-read for anyone touched by eating disorders or mental health issues. Her experience highlights the profound impact of nature and physical activity on recovery."

-CHAD LASATER, Master's American record holder and UESCA-certified ultrarunning coach

"A gripping blend of memoir and neuroscience-insightful, inspiring, and deeply human."

-SARAH WILLIAMS, adventurer and host of the Tough Girl Podcast

"In Running from Perfection, Caitlin offers a unique insight into the world of disordered eating as she intertwines her personal story with her neuroscience practice. Caitlin's resilience is inspiring, and this book empowers the reader to allow themself more grace in daily life!"

-BRIDGET STORM, corporate clinical dietitian

"In Running from Perfection, Dr. Massone helps those struggling with eating disorders understand their faulty wiring. With a neuroscientist's expertise and a patient's experience, she takes the reader on her journey from self-loathing to self-love by connecting to the natural world. An important addition to our understanding of eating disorders."

-SHANNON PAYNE, PhD, ultrarunner and geneticist

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This product is categorised by

Non-Fiction Family & Health Coping with / Advice about Personal, Social & Health Topics Coping with Eating Disorders

Running from Perfection

My Journey from Eating Disorders to Endurance Sports-and the Neuroscience Behind It

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in Coping with Eating Disorders

Overcoming Binge Eating, Second Edition

The Proven Program to Learn Why You Binge and How You Can Stop

The Why

Healthy Habits For An Epic Life

Enough

Your Health, Your Weight, and What It's Like To Be Free

All I Ever Wanted Was to Be Hot

2025 ABIA Small Publishers Adult Book of the Year

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8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder

Effective Strategies from Therapeutic Practice and Personal Experience

Renourish

A complete and compassionate guide to recovery from eating disorders

Your Weight Is Not the Problem

A simple, no-diet plan for healthy habits that stick

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How to Eat Well for Adults with ADHD

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Sick Enough

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