Dave McNeill at time of recording this episode had recently wrapped up his Physiotherapy Studies but also just days earlier ran a 28:16 for a 4th Place at the Australian 10,000m Track Titles at the Zatopek Classic. By way of bio, in the 2012 London Olympic Games, Dave finished 28th in the 5,000m, at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Dave finished 16th.  In the final of the 10,000m in July 2019 Dave marked his comeback with a 5000km National Cross Country Title but as you’ll hear during this episode, Dave’s career has certainly also take him to the wilderness years of injury. In fact, injury cost Dave Australian representation at the 2018 Commonwealth Games where he was set to take part in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. It was bone stress injury which sidelined Dave.

As you will hear today that took Dave down the path of exploration where he was to discover that one of the causing factors of his injury had been training through the status of low energy availability or as we’ve been exploring in prior episodes of the show including last week’s Expert Edition with UK based Sports and Endocrinologist Dr. Nicky Keay. Many endurance athletes inadvertently and unintentionally find themselves in a state of RED-S Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. The flow on effects can be detriments in performance but also the effects can be found through a detriment of health. One particular flow on effect of relative energy deficiency for athletes is low bone mineral density. Dave had to confront that when his bone mineral density came back very low in his lumbar spine.

During this episode we explore topics including how to navigate self doubt, appraising readiness to perform, overcoming the fear of the pain that we put ourselves through leading up to an event, Dave’s concept of old man strength, the idea of not looking at the training in isolation or in a vacuum but rather over the long term considering the bigger picture, the mistake Dave made in mistaking the stable weight has been an energy balance.

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This episode is sponsored by fisiocrem

fisiocrem is a topical massage cream containing natural plant based ingredients, ideal for the temporary relief of muscular aches and pains. If you’re conscious of what you put on your body, you’ll be happy to know that fisiocrem does not contain parabens or hydroxybenzoates. fisiocrem can be found Australia-wide at your local Coles, chemist or health store, as well as on their online shop. fisiocrem are offering a 20% discount to listeners of The Physical Performance Show. Use the coupon code POGO when you shop at fisiocrem.com.au to redeem this special offer.

Hurting sucks, and fisiocrem has got your back!  

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