College Women Rethink Fitness Through Food and Training

A growing demand for healthier food options on campus is changing how students think about fitness, especially for athletes balancing performance and nutrition.

Inside the recording room, microphones pick up a conversation between student hosts and Cal Poly volleyball player Kendall Breshare. The episode of The College Girls Guide to Success focuses on fitness, but quickly turns to something more specific, how college women are fueling their bodies.

Breshare, a Division I athlete and Big West First Team All-Conference selection, says nutrition is one of the most important, and most overlooked, parts of student wellness.

Podcast microphones and recording equipment set up before an episode focused on fitness and nutrition.

For Breshare, food is directly tied to performance.

“As an athlete, what you eat impacts everything, your energy, recovery, even your focus in class,” Breshare said.

Her daily routine includes multiple workouts, practices, and classes, which means she has to be intentional about finding balanced meals on campus.

Kendall Breshare records a podcast episode discussing fitness and nutrition as a Division I athlete.

A typical day of eating includes protein, carbohydrates and snacks between activities to maintain energy levels.

“I try to make sure I’m eating enough throughout the day, not just one or two big meals,” she said.

But finding those options isn’t always easy. As more students prioritize wellness, campus dining has seen increased demand for healthier, accessible meals.

Students navigate campus dining options as demand grows for healthier meals.


According to Breshare, student athletes often have to adapt.

“Sometimes you have to get creative with what’s available,” she said. “It’s not always perfect, but you figure it out.”

For non-athletes, the pressure can look different but still centers around food and body image. Social media trends and the idea of the “freshman 15” continue to shape how students approach eating.

Breshare encourages students to shift their mindset away from restriction.

“It’s more about fueling your body than limiting it,” she said.

That approach aligns with broader conversations around wellness, where consistency and balance are replacing extreme dieting or workout routines.

Beyond food, fitness itself can feel intimidating, especially in gym spaces. But Breshare says confidence develops over time.

“Most people aren’t paying attention to you,” she said. “Everyone is focused on their own workout.”

Instead of strict routines, she recommends starting small.

“Even short workouts and balanced meals can make a difference,” she said.

As the podcast recording wraps, the conversation returns to a central idea: wellness in college isn’t about perfection.

It’s about access, balance, and learning what works.

With more students asking for healthier food and realistic fitness habits, campuses are beginning to reflect those priorities, one meal and one workout at a time.

You can find more information on tips and tricks for college Nutrition in a study by St. Johns University. https://www.stjohns.edu/news-media/johnnies-blog/eat-healthy-in-college-student-life

The podcast concludes with a discussion on building sustainable habits in college.