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“Elite Athletes Are Tired All The Time” — Dr. John Hellemans On Why Chasing Peak Performance Drains You, And Why Exercising For Health Fills You With Energy (#12)
Dr. John Hellemans is a New Zealand-based sports medicine doctor, elite triathlon coach, and former champion triathlete. A six-time national titleholder and eight-time Masters World Champion, he also coached Olympians and founded the NZ Triathlon Academy. Known for blending medical insight with intuitive coaching, he completed the Kona Ironman at 60 and was awarded the MNZM in 2020 for services to triathlon.
In this episode, Dr. Hellemans recounts the evolution of triathlon training — from the pre-heart-rate-monitor era to today’s data-driven science. He shares how heart rate zones, training by feel, and the psychology of fatigue shape not just athletic performance but lifelong health.
Episode breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction
00:21 – Meeting Gordo Byrn
03:29 – Can Late Starters Reach Their Potential?
04:50 – Sports Science and Coaching Philosophy
06:06 – Early Days of Triathlon and Sports Science
08:50 – Finnish Influence and Heart Rate Zones
11:32 – Understanding Heart Rate Zones
13:43 – Training by Feel (RPE)
15:39 – Medicine and Coaching Crossover
17:48 – The Addictive Nature of Exercise
20:22 – Understanding Fatigue
24:16 – Heart Health and Arrhythmias in Endurance Athletes
26:06 – Discovering Atrial Fibrillation
28:58 – Training and Racing After Heart Procedures
31:51 – Exercise for Health, Not Performance
33:29 – What Medicine Can Learn from Coaching
36:35 – Preventative Medicine and Lifestyle
38:14 – Exercise as Preventative Medicine
40:33 – Testing and Measuring Endurance Fitness
42:45 – Running Assessments and Injury Prevention4
4:21 – Writing and Character – A New Project
46:36 – The Meaning of Character and Suffering
46:58 – Closing Remarks
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johngetstrong.substack.com
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By John Paton - @johngetstrong
5
44 ratings
Dr. John Hellemans is a New Zealand-based sports medicine doctor, elite triathlon coach, and former champion triathlete. A six-time national titleholder and eight-time Masters World Champion, he also coached Olympians and founded the NZ Triathlon Academy. Known for blending medical insight with intuitive coaching, he completed the Kona Ironman at 60 and was awarded the MNZM in 2020 for services to triathlon.
In this episode, Dr. Hellemans recounts the evolution of triathlon training — from the pre-heart-rate-monitor era to today’s data-driven science. He shares how heart rate zones, training by feel, and the psychology of fatigue shape not just athletic performance but lifelong health.
Episode breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction
00:21 – Meeting Gordo Byrn
03:29 – Can Late Starters Reach Their Potential?
04:50 – Sports Science and Coaching Philosophy
06:06 – Early Days of Triathlon and Sports Science
08:50 – Finnish Influence and Heart Rate Zones
11:32 – Understanding Heart Rate Zones
13:43 – Training by Feel (RPE)
15:39 – Medicine and Coaching Crossover
17:48 – The Addictive Nature of Exercise
20:22 – Understanding Fatigue
24:16 – Heart Health and Arrhythmias in Endurance Athletes
26:06 – Discovering Atrial Fibrillation
28:58 – Training and Racing After Heart Procedures
31:51 – Exercise for Health, Not Performance
33:29 – What Medicine Can Learn from Coaching
36:35 – Preventative Medicine and Lifestyle
38:14 – Exercise as Preventative Medicine
40:33 – Testing and Measuring Endurance Fitness
42:45 – Running Assessments and Injury Prevention4
4:21 – Writing and Character – A New Project
46:36 – The Meaning of Character and Suffering
46:58 – Closing Remarks
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johngetstrong.substack.com
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