Springfield College Alumna Returns Home for Peter V. Karpovich Lecture
At left, President Mary-Beth A. Cooper, PhD, DM; Stacy Sims, PhD, G’97; School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership Dean Sue Guyer, DPE'03, and Professor of Exercise Science and Program Director of Exercise Physiology Samuel A.E. Headley, PhD.
By: Damon Markiewicz
When Stacy Sims, PhD, G’97, arrived at Springfield College as a graduate student and decided to study Exercise Physiology, she was excited to pursue her strong desire to delve into the unique physiology of the female body.
As a result, Sims had the pleasure of connecting with professor of Exercise Science Samuel A.E. Headley, who not only welcomed Sims into the Exercise Physiology program, but encouraged her to explore her passions for researching women’s health. During his time at Springfield College, Headley has been instrumental in developing the College's nationally accredited Clinical Exercise Physiology program.
“Sam Headley welcomed me to the Exercise Physiology program with open arms,” expressed Sims. “The way he mentors students and guides them so they get what they want out of the program, it’s very special. It’s an example of what makes Springfield College unique. He guided me in the right direction and allowed me to explore my focus on women’s health when nobody else was focusing on that topic. Sam has had such a positive impact on my career, and I can’t thank him enough for his guidance and support.”
While enrolled at Springfield College, Sims started to form the foundation of her journey into women’s exercise physiology and metabolism, which later fed into her PhD research and her focus on sex differences in exercise and nutrition. The history of exercise physiology at Springfield College was never lost on Sims, and that is why when the opportunity presented itself to be the 2025 Peter V. Karpovich Lecture keynote speaker, Sims didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation. The lecture is named in honor of the late Dr. Peter Karpovich, who was a member of the Springfield College faculty from 1927 until 1969. He was a founder of the American College of Sports Medicine and is considered a pioneer in exercise physiology in the United States. Sims’ lecture was titled, “Redefining Health for Women: Embracing the Unique Physiology of the Female Body.”
“It’s a huge honor to be asked to be a part of the annual Karpovich Lecture,” added Sims, who traveled back to Springfield, with her husband and daughter, from her home in New Zealand. “When I received the invite from Springfield College School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership Dean Sue Guyer, DPE’03, I was excited to come back to campus and connect with current faculty and students. My time at Springfield College was so important, and it set me on my way to do what I love to do.”
Since graduating from Springfield College, Sims has transcended into a globally respected exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist. As part of her keynote address, Sims went into detail about her commitment to redefining health and wellness for women. Sims, an authoritative voice on the health and performance of female athletes, helped the audience understand the unique physiology of the female body. Historically, medical and fitness research has centered on male bodies, leaving many women frustrated by advice that doesn’t align with their experiences.
“I’m here to empower women with the knowledge and to cut through the noise,” explained Sims. “My goal is to translate complex science into straightforward, actionable insights so that women understand how to build strength and longevity of both body and mind.”
As part of her presentations, Sims demystifies how women’s bodies function differently, offering insights into training effectively at various life stages, understanding and adapting to hormonal shifts, and optimizing nutrition for peak performance. Not only did audience members gain a deeper understanding of their own physiology, but they left inspired to celebrate and elevate their physical potential at every age.
“My vision is a world of healthy women who understand and know how to work with their bodies,” explained Sims, who competed in cross country and field hockey as a student-athlete in high school, and also has competed in the Ironman Kona competition. “I’m here to help active women and the people who work with them (coaches, physical therapists, parents, doctors, PhDs, allied health practitioners, teachers, and more) take back control of their lives, their bodies, and their health through better understanding backed by science.”
She has directed research programs at Stanford, AUT University, and the University of Waikato, focusing on female athlete health and performance and pushing the dogma to improve research on all women. With the unique opportunities Silicon Valley had to offer, during her tenure at Stanford, she had the opportunity to translate earlier research into consumer products and a science-based layperson's book, ROAR, which was written to explain sex differences in training and nutrition across the lifespan.
“There are no external pressures or agendas, just real, science-backed information that empowers women to take back control of their health and body through deep understanding of their physiology as a woman,” expressed Sims.
Her follow-up book, Next Level, is specific to women in the menopause transition. Both the consumer products and the books challenged the existing dogma for women in exercise, nutrition, and health. This paradigm shift is the focus of her famous "Women Are Not Small Men” TEDx talk.
“I’m passionate about getting this information into the hands of as many active women as possible,” explained Sims. “I wrote my book, ROAR, and then created my signature course WOMEN ARE NOT SMALL MEN® because I saw the appalling lack of research done specifically on women in regards to exercise, nutrition, and medicine.”
Currently, she holds a senior research associate position with SPRINZ-AUT University, an adjunct position with the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Group, supervises PhD students, writes academic papers, and is on the advisory board of several cutting-edge companies.
“All women deserve to feel healthy, vibrant, and independent now and forever,” expressed Sims.
Considered a successful forward-thinker, Sims has created and delivers online learning material focused on women training with their physiology across the lifespan on her site, drstacysims.com. Sims’ contributions to the international research environment and the sports nutrition industry have established a new niche in sports nutrition. This has also solidified her reputation as the expert in sex differences in training, nutrition, and health.
“It was my pleasure to come back to Springfield College and feel right at home,” concluded Sims. “I can’t thank Sam (Headley) and Sue (Guyer) enough for all of their support making my experience back on campus one to remember.”
Amazing alumni like this are proof of the power of a Springfield College education. Your support helps us continue preparing students to lead in service to others—true to our Humanics philosophy. Give today to support the next generation.
