The Performance Nutrition Podcast

Season 2 Episode 39, Dr. Bubbs sits down with renowned strength coach Mike Robertson of Robertson Training Systems to chat about his model of Position/Pattern/Load/Express for increasing athleticism and performance, as well as how to build physical qualities when movement quality is poor. Mike also shares his thoughts on conditioning programs, the importance of lateral acceleration, in-season training considerations, and how things change in the post-season. He also provides some of his insights from turning 40, highlighting tips for longevity and health, as well as sharing what's on his reading list and pre-workout playlist. As always, fantastic insights from a world-class leader in the field!

Season 2 Episode 38, Dr. Bubbs talks heart health, cardiovascular screening and the “athlete heart” with clinical physiologist Tony Manci MS. In this episode, Tony will discuss hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and sudden cardiac death in athletes, the difference between “athlete’s heart” and heart disease, and outlines an NBA pre-season cardiovascular screen. Tony also discusses the impact of a sedentary lifestyle on heart and vascular health, highlights modifiable risk factors to reduce your likelihood of heart disease, and shares his favourite strategies to build aerobic fitness. He also talks about the power of habits and the evolution of HCM research. Go to drbubbs.com/podcast for an outline of this episode.

Season 2 Episode 37, Dr. Bubbs interviews renowned sport scientist and coach Professor Paul Laursen PhD to discuss the science and application of HIIT training. In this episode, Prof Laursen outlines his new collaborative project HIIT Science and dives into key principles for programming HIIT training for individuals and team sport athletes. He kicks things off by addressing the importance of understanding the demands of the sport and the athlete profile. Laursen then shares the three main areas that can be targeted with HIIT training: aerobic, anaerobic and neuromuscular, and the five different types of HIIT training formats. He also outlines the pitfalls of thinking “format first” (i.e. the workout) and emphasizes the importance of thinking “physiology first” when programming training sessions for individuals and teams. Phenomenal insights from Prof Laursen and an exciting new educational resource for practitioners and athletes. Check out drbubbs.com/podcast for a breakdown of this episode.

Season 2 Episode 36, Dr. Bubbs interviews renowned physiologist Dr. Trent Stellingwerff PhD to discuss Eliud Kipchoge's record-breaking performance at the Berlin Marathon and the fueling strategies of elite marathoners. He also talks about the role of glycogen availability as a training regulator and the purposeful application of low carb availability training sessions in elite performers. As well, Trent dives into his past research into body composition periodization in endurance athletes and how it can impact athletic performance, injury risk and illness over a career. He shares insights into daily caloric restriction and weekly bodyweight loss targets as well as factors to consider before implementing this strategy with athletes. Finally, Trent shares his tips for recreational runners on improving performance and health and avoiding the trap of trying to ‘fuel like the pros’. Fantastic insights from a world-leader!

Season 2 Episode 35, Dr. Bubbs interviews renowned sport psychologist Dr. Peter Jensen PhD. In this episode, Dr. Jensen will discuss his first experiences working at the Olympic Games, what stood out and how sport psychology has evolved over the last three decades. He’ll also discuss the key role of energy management in elite performance: what it is, why it’s important and how it plays a fundamental role in your ability to react and respond to stress. He’ll outline how energy management is different from time-management and the value of pressure for performance. Dr. Jensen will also highlight energy drains on the body, how reframing and breathwork are powerful tools to control energy management, what stress and anxiety do to attentional focus and how imagery and emotions are the fast-track to the brain. Phenomenal insights from a world-leader in sport psychology! Check out drbubbs.com/podcast for full show notes.

Season 2 Episode 34, Dr. Bubbs interviews nutrition expert and 5x British Bodybuilding champion Dr. Andrew Chappell PhD to discuss his research in elite male and female bodybuilders. In this episode, Andrew will discuss the overall energy intake and macro breakdown of elite bodybuilders: how much protein they consume, key differences in carb consumptions between bodybuilders who place in the top-5 versus the rest of the pack, and how fat intake differs between USA and British bodybuilders. Andrew also talks about the massive variance in caffeine intake, key factors like meal frequency and number of different food items consumed, and the most common supplementation practices amongst the best of the best. Andrew also shares his own insights from years of competing at the highest level.

In Season 2 Episode 33, Dr. Bubbs “rewinds” the tape and revisits highlights and key insights from world leading experts from the past two seasons of the show. In this instalment, Dr. Bubbs talks training athletes with Strength Coach Clance Laylor, sprinting and injury prevention with Sprint Coach Derek Hansen, the application of HIIT training in heart disease and markers of overtraining with expert Dr. Martin Gibala PhD. He then shifts gears to discuss muscle fiber types (and the confusion and myths in this area) with leading expert Dr. Andy Galpin PhD, and hears from Dr. Dan Pardi PhD on circadian biology and how it impacts health and performance. Finally, Dr. Bubbs rounds out this edition of REWIND by discussing brain and recovery with expert Dr. John Sullivan PhD and the mindset traits of elite captains with author of Captain Class and Wall Street Journal Sports Editor Sam Walker. Tons of great insights from this incredible group of experts!

Season 2 Episode 32, Dr. Bubbs sits down with hypertrophy and muscle science expert Dr. Cody Haun PhD. In this episode, Cody will discuss a few of his recent papers, starting with recovery responses to light versus heavy resistance exercise in young men and unpacking what's happening at the molecular level between light and heavy loads. Next, Cody shares the results and key findings from his research on high versus low responders to training, the biomarkers associated with low, moderate, and high responders to training. Finally, Cody addresses the soy protein controversy around supplementation and testosterone. Does it impact estrogen level? Does it impact fat accumulation? Fantastic insights from Cody.

Season 2 Episode 31, Dr. Bubbs interviews Professor Ross Andersen PhD, kinesiologist and researcher at McGill University in Montreal to discuss his recent work on seasonal changes in body composition in collegiate football and hockey players. Dr. Ross discusses differences in pre-season to end of season changes in lean mass and fat mass, as well as different trends observed in football versus ice hockey. He also shares his experiences from working in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens and provides some insights into how to communicate science into practice.

Season 2 Episode 30, Dr. Bubbs sits down with Ben Brown ND to talk about IBS and pose the question “Does It Really Exist?” Ben will outline the classic definition for IBS and why many experts believe now is the time to rethink the classification of IBS as a syndrome. He’ll then discuss the true root causes of irritable bowel-like symptoms: functional imbalances, lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as nutritional factors. Ben also shares the limitations of standard testing, if there is value in functional medical tests and what clients and practitioners can do to resolve chronic digestive complaints.

In season 2 Episode 29, Dr. Bubbs interviews Miguel Mateas PhD(c) to talk about the gut microbiome and the implications on the gut-brain axis. In this episode, Miguel discusses the dynamic ecosystem that makes up the gut, how specific bacteria are attracted to certain conditions and the impact of processed food on the gut microbiota, as well as how exercise impacts gut microbial diversity (including new research on how the mindset may play a role), and then dives into the many ways the gut microbiota communicates with the brain and implications for health and performance. Great insights and metaphors to explain complex topics from Miguel!

Season 2 Episode 28, Dr. Bubbs interviews Dr. Michele Lastella PhD to talk chronotypes and athletes. In this episode, Dr. Michele discusses the three main chronotypes and how athlete chronotype can impact performance. He also shares how athletes participating in a sport which suits their chronotype (e.g. morning type participating in a morning sport) are more likely to train and perform optimally, digs into whether athletes are unconsciously self-selecting morning or evening sports and why coaches should consider athlete chronotype when scheduling training and competition. Dr. Michele also shares sleep hygiene tips, how to adjust your chronotype and suggestions for winding down and upgrading sleep. Check out drbubbs.com/podcast for more episodes.

In Season 2 Episode 27, Dr. Bubbs interviews Dr. Wes Kephart to discuss his recent paper on Body Composition, Blood Parameters, 
and Performance Metrics in CrossFit Trainees. We’ve got all the buzz words teed up for this episode as Wes dives into the rationale and set-up of his study on CrossFitters and Keto diets, impacts the 12-week nutrition strategy had on the their performance (e.g. 1-RM squat and 400m sprint), body composition, and blood markers. Wes also discusses some limitations of the study and things for the coach or athlete to consider before diving into this approach, as well as sharing his thoughts on supplementation after years in the research side of things. All this and much more!

Season 2 Episode 26, Dr. Bubbs interviews Jen Sygo RD MS, Performance Nutritionist for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and Athletics Canada to talk relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). In this episode, Jen will discuss her recent study on REDS in female sprinters, share primary red flag symptoms and secondary ones to watch out for, and talk about the common misconception of low energy availability in power and sprint sports, and the consequences on performance. Jen also shares new insights on within day energy balance, the difficulties in assessing energy intake and expenditure, when athletes are “circling the drain” and share her experience working with NHL hockey players during the grueling playoff run and fueling in compressed competition schedules. Check out drbubbs.com/podcast for all episodes.

Season 2 Episode 25, Dr. Bubbs interviews Ramsey Nijem MS, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. In this episode, Ramsey will discuss workload monitoring in team sport, the acute to chronic ratio and the relationship that exists between workload, fatigue, and injury. He’ll share his insights on the fine balance between pushing athletes too hard and not hard enough, how to balance out workloads in team sports when players are logging vastly different minutes, as well as navigating the inter-individual responses to training and why some players can tolerate much more than others. Ramsey also talks about the role of sleep and nutrition in recovery, highlights some of the fundamental exercises he uses with the Sacramento Kings players and much more. Check out my show notes at drbubbs.com/podcast.