Athlete Factors

Podcast Episode #62: Nik Schweikert and Racing 100 Miles

In this episode, Nik Schweikert joins me to discuss his incredible attempt at racing 100 miles. We discuss how long he prepared (spoiler alert: 3 weeks!), how he hydrated/fueled, his pacing and racing strategy, and his ultra plans for the future. Lots of laughs and some good practical advice for anyone with a competitive mind.

 

Follow Nik:

Instagram: @coachschweikert

Podcast Episode #61: Sport Performance and Nutrition Q&A

In this episode, I answer some of the most common questions I receive about sport nutrition and how to improve athleticism. What is the best diet? What dietary factors should athletes focus on? What is the best way to improve power and force production for athletes: Traditional barbell lifts (squat, deadlift, & olympic lifts) or single leg focused lifts (split squats, lunges, single leg squats)?

Podcast Episode #60: Dr. Andy Fry & Controlling Broscience, Limiting Bias, & Understanding Research

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Fry joins me to explain in simple terms the scientific method, the research process, and how to "answer the question," even if that means having more questions. Dr. Fry, the Director of the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Lab at the University of Kansas, explains the importance of sport science, how to conduct research well, what major issues to avoid, and how the conclusions and applications from performance research trickle down to most, if not all, athlete and non-athlete populations.

Dr. Fry is a professor in the department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas. He earned his bachelors degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, his master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and his doctorate in exercise physiology from Penn State University. During his two-year post-doctoral training, Fry studied cellular and molecular muscle physiology at Ohio University. This was followed by 13 years at the University of Memphis, where he was the Director of the Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory. At the University of Kansas, he served a five year term as the department chair, during which he helped develop the Research and Coaching Performance Team in collaboration with University of Kansas Athletics. This work eventually led to the creation of the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory where research focuses exclusively on optimizing sport performance.

Follow Dr. Fry and the work at the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Lab:
Instagram: @jayhawkathlperf
Twitter: @AthleticJayhawk
Facebook: @JHAPLab

Podcast Episode #59: Dr. Chad Kerksick & Timing Ergogenic Aids and Micronutrients for Performance

In this episode, Dr. Chad Kerksick joins me to discuss how the timing of ingestion of specific ergogenic aids and micronutrients can impact muscle performance, and the effects and benefits for athletes. We make it through half of the ergogenic aids and micronutrients from the study "Timing of Ergogenic Aids and Micronutrients on Muscle and Exercise Performance," which he co-authored. We will cover the other ergogenic aids and micronutrients in the near future!

The full text of the study can be found here: https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12970-019-0304-9

Dr. Kerksick is an associate professor of exercise science in the Exercise Science Department in the School of Health Sciences at Lindenwood University. He currently serves as the director of the Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory and the Master of Science in Health Sciences program at Lindenwood University. His primary research interests include sport nutrition as well as the biochemical, cellular, and molecular adaptations relative to various forms of exercise and nutrition interventions, primarily those that promote muscle hypertrophy, prevent muscle atrophy, and promote health and recovery in healthy as well as clinical populations.

Follow Dr. Kerksick:

Instagram: @chadkerksick

Podcast Episode #58: Josh Mohler and Super Slow Resistance Training

In this episode, I talk with my good friend, Josh Mohler. Josh joins me to discuss super slow strength training, High Intensity Training (HIT, not HIIT), and where these training types and modalities fit practically into the realm of exercise, fitness, sport performance, and rehab.

Josh serves as Director of Intense 22 Fitness in Austin, Texas. He graduated from Cedarville University with his Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. He spent 10 years in the clinical Cardiac Rehab world as an Exercise Physiologist. He is an occasional amateur runner with a few full and half marathons under his belt, and is interested in improving the health of those around him.

Follow Josh/Intense 22 Fitness:

Instagram: @intense22fitness

Website: intense22fitness.com

Podcast Episode #57: What Are Your Priorities. Do Your Thoughts & Actions Reflect Your Priorities?

In this episode, I talk about some evaluations and self-reflection I've been doing over the past few weeks. When it comes to my life and health, I have been looking at what I have determined to be priorities. I have then been evaluating whether my thoughts and actions have been consistent with what I claim to be the most important priorities. This type of reflection is very important for us all to do, so I encourage you to take the time to reflect on these ideas as well.

Podcast Episode #56: Dr. Sam Buckner on Selye's GAS & Periodization. Is the "House" Built on Sand?

In this episode, I talk with Sam Buckner, PhD., about his recently published study: The Basics of Training for Muscle Size and Strength: A Brief Review on the Theory. The study looks into the validity of Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome as the underlying framework of exercise adaptation, which is also the theoretical basis for periodization. He also goes into detail about claims we can actually draw from published research on periodization. Spoiler alert...there is no research on periodization...just research on programming that is extrapolated and assumed to be true for periodization.

Dr. Buckner is the Director of the Muscle Laboratory at the University of Southern Florida, where he is also an assistant professor of exercise science. His research interests deal primarily with the influence that exercise induced increases in muscle size have on exercise induced increases in muscle strength.

Follow Sam:
Instagram: @samuelbuckner
Twitter: @samuelbuckner1

Podcast Episode #55: Dr. Jose Antonio and The Importance of Protein for Athletes

In this episode, I talk with Jose Antonio, PhD., Co-Founder and CEO of The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). Dr. Antonio is a Fellow of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the ISSN, and has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN) since 2010. He also serves as the Program Director and Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at Nova Southeastern University, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

We discuss his research into "high protein diets," the role and importance of protein for athletes (specifically youth athletes and endurance athletes), his favorite supplements for athletes, and how focusing on just 1 change at a time can make a huge difference in your training, adaptations, recovery, and athletic performance.

Follow Dr. Antonio and the ISSN:
Instagram: @the_issn
Twitter: @JoseAntonioPhD
Website: https://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/

Podcast Episode #54: Paul Orchard on Distance Running, Racing, & Taking Training to the Next Level

In this episode, I catch up with my college Cross-Country and Track&Field coach, Paul Orchard. Coach Orchard has been coaching Cross-Country and Track&Field at Cedarville University since 1993, but has been the Head Men's CC Coach since 2003. He has coached dozens of All-Americans (NAIA and NCAA Div.II), and an individual NCAA (Div. II) National Champion in the 3k Steeplechase in 2017. We talk about the importance of safely increasing mileage to create a new norm while not holding a set number of miles as sacred, the importance of an individualized approach to coaching, and how to maximize your future running and racing abilities by shifting your perspective about being unable to compete right now.

 

Follow Coach Orchard and the Team:
Cross Country: https://yellowjackets.cedarville.edu/sports/mens-cross-country
Track & Field: https://yellowjackets.cedarville.edu/sports/mens-track-and-field

 

Podcast Episode #53: Raychel Shannon and Leveraging Recovery for the Biggest Athletic Advantage

In this episode, I talk with Raychel Shannon of Rays the Bar Sports Recovery and Nutrition.
Raychel created Rays the Bar with the philosophy that proper nutrition and recovery can give you the competitive advantage you are missing to take your game to the next level. As a former professional basketball player, with stints in Europe and Central America, she knows from first-hand experience how taking care of your body can lengthen your career and allow you to play the sport you love at the highest level possible. We discuss what RECOVERY actually is and how to do it right, how to transition from high level training and competition to the next stage in life, and specific ways to have the biggest advantage on the field of play.

Follow Raychel:
Instagram: @rays.the.bar
Website: raysthebarrecovery.com