Fitter Radio: Triathlon, Endurance, Nutrition

This week on the podcast Bevan and Mikki discuss the use of CGMs (Continuous Glucose Monitors) for athletes plus we share an excerpt from Mikki’s full interview with Amy Lee Bowler, PHD Candidate, Sports Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian. Bevan and Tim catch up on the racing plus we share Taylor Knibb’s interview on her plans to combine a road cycling racing calendar with her existing triathlon career. (0:10:42) – Kirsty Wood – Coffee Club member and winner of a free race entry to IM703 Sunshine Coast. (0:16:26) – Competition for a free race entry to the iconic Noosa Triathlon! (0:17.02) – Bevan and Mikki discuss the use of CGMs for athletes – are they useful? (0:20:06) – Excerpts from Mikki’s interview with Amy Lee Bowler (0:42:33) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/    (0:43:29) – Bevan and Tim catch up on the racing (0:58:44) –Taylor Knibb has recently signed with Trek-Segafredo to combine a road cycling racing calendar with her exi

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Philip Hurst, former middle-distance runner and current academic from the School of Psychology and Life Sciences at Canterbury University. We discuss the intriguing world of the 'placebo effect', its negative counterpart - the 'nocebo effect' and their impact on sports performance. Drawing from his research and experience, Dr. Hurst shares the significance of these effects in the medical world and how they have the potential to shape athlete performance. We probe the mind-body connection and its influence on performance plus Dr. Hurst elaborates on how coaches and athletes can harness this connection for their own benefit. Lastly we explore the brain mechanisms involved in the placebo effect and how technology could potentially help us understand these mechanisms better, plus we look at the power of positive conversations, hypnosis and cognitive techniques in boosting athlete performance.  LINKS: Dr Philip Hurst’s review “The Placebo and Nocebo effect o

Dr Alannah McKay is a post-doctoral fellow and researcher in the field of iron metabolism, immune system health and also diet manipulation. Bevan and Mikki discuss Dr McKay’s work in sports nutrition and the impact of low carb availability on iron metabolism. Plus we share excerpts from Mikki’s full interview with Dr McKay on Mikkipedia. Dr Philip Hurst is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Life Sciences at the University of Canterbury. Bevan and Tim discuss Dr Hurst’s work into the placebo and nocebo effect on sports performance. (0:04:25) – Competition for 12 months free access to HEXIS (0:04:43) – The IRONMAN Oceania season pass is back and this year they’ve added races in Asia too! (0:06:01) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/    (0:06.53) – Bevan and Mikki discuss Dr Alannah McKay’s work in sports nutrition and the impact of low carb availability on iron metabolism. (0:09:49) – Excerpts from Mikki’s interview with Alana McKay (0:28:06

We’re delighted to welcome back to the show European and World Champion Non Stanford. After an incredibly successful racing career spanning more than a decade Non bowed out of racing and transitioned into her role as asst triathlon coach at British Triathlon’s Performance Centre in Leeds. We chat about Non’s decision to retire at the peak of her career, her experiences working with world class coaches like Joel Filliol, Malcolm Brown, and Jack Maitland, and the journey that led her to becoming a world champion. We also reflect on the tough competition she faced from the likes of Annie Haug and Gwen Jorgensen, and her strategies to prepare for these challenges. Non shares her experience of competing in the 2018 European Championships, the emotional and physical demands of racing after the Commonwealth Games, and her surprise victory. We also discuss her transition to a coaching role at Leeds Triathlon Centre whilst still competing, and how she now manages her time between coaching and keeping herself fit

Maurten have released The Bicarb System – ‘An advanced sports fuel designed to help athletes push the boundaries of effort and power during high-intensity exercise’. Dr Sam Impey of Hexis gives us his thoughts on the role of Sodium Bicarbonate in training and/or racing. We share excerpts from Coach Joel Filliol’s podcast episode ‘The Triathlon Swim Revisited” and review his advice on improving your swimming. Plus we discuss Professional Triathlete Non Stanford’s decision to retire and her transition to coach with British Triathlon and bring you excerpts from our upcoming interview with Non out tomorrow. (0:01:44) – Andrew Messick’s retirement from IRONMAN (0:06:52) – Competition for a set of ULTRO Earbuds (0:07:07) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/    (0:09.48) – Sodium Bicabonate: Is there a place for it in our racing and/or training (0:10:49) – Dr Sam Impey – Sodium Bicarbonate (0:34:23) – We bring you excerpts from our interview with

Dr Emma Mosley is a senior lecturer in sport psychology in the Department of Sport Science and Performance. She is an active researcher within psychophysiology and sport performance, with a particular specialism in heart rate variability. In this episode we discuss the mind-body connection and how it can be harnessed to optimize athletic performance. How perception, threat and appraisal play a role in the stress process and how this impacts our physiological reactions in sports. We learn more about the power of heart rate variability (HRV) as a tool for measuring stress responses and improving athletic performance. Plus the significance of monitoring HRV trends over time, comparing your own baseline, and the connection between HRV and psychology, the vagus nerve, and the parasympathetic nervous system. We also look into interventions like cold water immersion and their effectiveness in improving HRV. Finally we explore the benefits of slow paced breathing. Dr. Mosley teaches us how to adjust inhalatio

Bevan and Mikki discuss psycho social stress and we hear excerpts from our interview with Dr Emma Mosley on optimizing performance through HRV and slow-paced breathing, out tomorrow. Bevan and Tim review the weekend’s racing plus we discuss the ‘Taper’ and bring you audio from Prof Paul Laursen’s interview with Yann Le Mer. (0:07:00) - Free race entry competition for the IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney (0:08:04) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/    (0:08.20) - Psycho Social Stress (0:13:58) - Excerpts from our interview with Dr Emma Mosley, out tomorrow (0:21:15) - Coaches Catch up with Tim Brazier – Race Reviews plus we discuss the ‘Taper’ and bring you audio from Prof Paul Laursen’s interview with Yann Le Mer. LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/    More about Yann Le Meur at https://ylmsportscience.com/   Follow Yann Le Meur on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ylemeur Mor

In this fascinating discussion with David Dunne, CEO of Hexis, we explore the importance of nutrition in sport and the lack of tools available to help practitioners effectively influence behaviour change. David shares his personal experience with a professional athlete who, despite knowing what nutritional changes he needed to make, just wasn’t motivated them to make them, and how this sparked his journey of exploring behaviour change and technology through his PhD. We also reflect on the work of nutrition scientist Louise Burke and how her foundational work has been so influential in the field of sports nutrition. We examine ways for coaches to develop interventions to assist athletes in understanding how to change their behaviour around nutrition. Discover how the behaviour change wheel, the combi model, and the theoretical domains framework can help practitioners design, develop, and deliver effective interventions.  We discuss the importance of focusing on behaviours rather than outcomes when defining

We're delighted to be able to welcome professional triathlete Emma Pallant-Browne back to the show. Emma shares her insights into the world of competitive sport, bringing inspiration to female athletes everywhere with her representation of women in sport. We discuss Emma’s swim style from ‘all energy and no technique’ to an accomplished swimmer exploring the importance of key sessions, volume and frequency in her training, as well as the challenges and benefits of band work for strength and endurance. Emma shares how her open water technique has evolved over time and the benefits that FORM Goggles have brought to the development of her swimming. We also discuss Emma's future plans for upcoming races and her dream to be able to race in a 'battle to the death' with the premier female runners in the sport. LINKS: Follow Emma Pallant-Browne on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/em_pallant/ More about FORM Goggles at https://au.formswim.com/

Bevan and Tim review the weekend’s racing including Challenge Roth, plus we bring you some audio from Mario Mola updating us on where he’s at with his racing and training. We hear from David Dunne of Hexis ahead of his interview out tomorrow and learn some tips and techniques on how to create behavioural change around nutrition. Lastly we bring you excerpts from Emma Pallant-Browne’s full interview out tomorrow. (0:07:50) – Minimax Recovery Systems Boots and the new Atom Calf Sleeve Boots. (0:12:56) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/   (0:14:10) – David Dunne CEO of Hexis – excerpts from his full-form interview out tomorrow. (0:24:45) – Coaches Catch up with Tim Brazier – Race Reviews plus excerpts from Emma Pallant-Browne’s upcoming full form interview and audio from Mario Mola – Down the Blue Carpet LINKS: Infinit Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ https://www.hexis.live/ Follow Da

We chat with professional triathlete Sarah Crowley about her experiences and learnings of swimming as a triathlete. Listen in to hear Sarah talk about her recent sharpening sessions and impressive swim volume leading up to races, and how she adapts her routine whilst travelling. Plus, we chat about her experiences with FORM Goggles and how they help her stay on track. We also discuss the importance of finding the right wetsuit and how the right fit, proper application, and an efficient stroke can make all the difference. Sarah shares some of her swim program details using bands, paddles and fly drills and how the swim sets help maintain good form under fatigue. Lastly we hear about Sarah's plans for the year ahead and her excitement surrounding the female athletes competing in Kona.

Bevan and Mikki talk about the importance of protein and how we can more easily get it into our diets. Bevan and Tim review the weekend’s including IRONMAN Cairns, plus we have a swim focus this week - conditioning versus technique – is one more important than the other?  We bring you Coach Joel Filliol’s advice on the most important aspects to consider plus we hear from professional triathletes Sarah Crowley and Sophie Coldwell. Listen in to hear the full interview with Sarah Crowley tomorrow. (0:02:00) - Snow Shoeing (0:05:05) - CurraNZ: The benefits and latest research (0:09:05) - Musashi energy drinks and protein bars (0:20:35) – IRONMAN Oceania partner with Fitter Radio and we have a free race entry to give away to IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast (0:21:44) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/   (0:22:31) – Coaches Catch up with Tim Brazier – Race Reviews (0:44:35) – Excerpt from Sarah Crowley’s upcoming full form interview (0:53:00) –

In this episode we tackle the age-old debate of stretching vs. strength training for mobility and range of motion. Listen in as we discuss the benefits of strength training, particularly eccentric work, and how it can improve flexibility and range of motion just as effectively as stretching. We explore why understanding the purpose behind your stretching routine is crucial and how research has shown that incorporating strength training may be more beneficial for injury prevention and overall health. Swimmers, cyclists, and runners alike can benefit from our discussion on how to use strength training to increase range of motion. We share our favorite exercises, such as front rack dumbbell reverse lunges, lat pulls, and kneeling landmine presses, to help improve mobility in specific areas needed for endurance sports. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of knowing your body's limits and working within them to safely and effectively increase your range of motion. LINKS: Dr Kate Baldwin at https://e

In this episode we chat with IRONMAN Australia Champion Steve McKenna. Steve shares the challenges he's faced this year, from multiple head colds and COVID to getting hit by a car, and how he's now targeting IRONMAN Cairns as a main goal for the Australasian season. We also explore the impact of being a father of two young children has on his training and racing plans, and how it’s shifted his focus and priorities. Steve talks about his race strategies and performances over the last few years, his love of IRONMAN training and his belief that he's more suited to the longer distance events. We chat about his victory at IRONMAN Australia and how the support and advice from both his family and his coach have been invaluable in his journey. Lastly, we dive into the topic of the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and its impact on athletes like Steve. He shares his experience with the PTO rankings system, how it affected his decisions to race in certain events and the potential opportunities it may o

In this episode, we discuss Lionel Sander’s recent YouTube episode where he admits to having a ‘poop’ diet and the changes he’s made to his nutrition, training and recovery. Bevan and Tim review the weekend’s racing plus we discuss the ongoing safety issues around some of the races following the recent tragedy in Hamburg. Lastly we bring you excerpts from our upcoming interviews with Steve McKenna and Dr Kate Baldwin of Endurance Movement. (0:03:20) – Lionel Sander’s ‘poop’ diet and the importance of good nutrition. (0:10:32) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/   (0:17:12) – Coaches Catch up with Tim Brazier (0:38:08) – Excerpt from Steve McKenna’s upcoming full form interview (0:51:34) – Excerpt from Dr Kate Baldwin’s upcoming full form interview LINKS: Infinit Nutrition discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/ Follow Lionel Sanders YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@Lionel.Sanders Follow Ste

We had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Challenge Championship winner India Lee. Indie's love for running began at a young age, receiving a running scholarship in the United States. She returned home burnt out and disenchanted with the sport until her UK-based running coach suggested she try a triathlon. With a background in competitive swimming, Indie was well-equipped to tackle the triathlon's swim portion and found a new passion in the multi-sport format. In 2015, Indie qualified for the Olympic Test Event but it was in the longer distances that she saw her future. Since then, she has achieved standout performances at the half distance winning the Challenge Championships in Samorin last month. We loved chatting to Indie about her passion for training, her races and her dream of qualifying for Nice in 2024. LINKS: Follow India Lee on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/indielee_tri/

In this episode, we discuss the tragic accident that occurred at IRONMAN Hamburg where a motorcyclist lost his life after colliding with a cyclist. The dangerous conditions during the race, including too many motorcyclists on a narrow road and athletes riding side by side in large groups, contributed to the accident. The incident has raised questions about the safety measures in place during triathlon races and the need for improvements to ensure the well-being of athletes in future events. We catch up with Dr. Sam Impey from Hexis to discuss the latest updates to their app, including wearable data integration and food tracking. Plus we bring you excerpts from our podcast with India Lee, out tomorrow. (0:00:19) – We discuss the race at IRONMAN Hamburg and the circumstances surrounding the horrific accident involving an on-course moto which resulted in injury and death. (0:00:13:38) - INFINIT Nutrition 10% discount using the code FITTER10 at https://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/   (0:14:41) – Sam Impe

Dr Richard Ferguson is a specialist in the area of Exercise Physiology. His research is focused on improving human performance and health through exercise training and the use of novel interventions. He has a specific interest in the effects of blood flow restricted (BFR) exercise on skeletal muscle and peripheral vascular adaptations. In this episode we explore the potential applications of blood flow restriction training across a variety of populations, from elite athletes to rehabilitating patients. We discuss the various intensities and settings that this type of training can be used in, from a sprint interval to lower intensity exercises. We also examine the potential of this training to aid in maintaining lean muscle mass in older populations and the potential of using it in cardio pulmonary rehabilitation. Lastly, we discuss the safety considerations that come with using BFR training, the various types of cuffs and pumps used and the need for caution when engaging in BFR training. LINKS: More

We chat to David Dunne, Performance Nutritionist and CEO of Hexis about the fascinating world of sports nutrition and behavioural science and how Hexis are bridging the gap between knowledge and implementation. We discuss how to motivate and enable individuals to make lasting changes to their behaviours through understanding the target behavior and identifying barriers and enablers. We delve into the COMB model and the theoretical domains framework, which can help create successful interventions on both a micro and macro level. Lastly, we discuss the role of technology in supporting 24/7 nutrition guidance and in enabling sustainable behaviour change. We examine the potential for a 'practitioner's desktop' to scale the services of nutritionists, as well as the pitfalls of extreme weight-loss strategies. emphasizing the importance of changing behaviours for long-term sustainability. LINKS:  More about Hexis at https://www.hexis.live/ Follow David Dunne on Twitter at https://twitter.com/david_m_dunne

In this episode, we take a closer look at the world of behavioural science in relation to nutrition. Together with David Dunne of Hexis we discuss the complexities of nutrition, the psychological impact of past behaviors, stigmas and body composition, and how technology-based interventions can help athletes sustain long-term nutritional behaviors. Bevan and Tim review the weekend’s racing plus we revisit the ‘Super Shoe’ debate and share Ruth Astle’s recent work on testing which carbon shoe is best for her. Lastly, don't miss our discussion on blood flow restriction training and its potential applications in improving endurance performance. Dr. Richard Ferguson shares his insights on occlusion training and the results of his sprint interval study, explaining how blood pressure cuffs can be used to partially occlude the arterial supply, creating a hypoxic response and an alteration in intramuscular metabolic status. Discover how the body responds to the stress of exercise and how blood flow restriction t