Weight cutting is a huge problem in Mixed Martial Arts and can have serious consequences on fighters' health and performance. There's perhaps no one more informed in this area than Dr. Oliver Barley - a sport scientist from Edith Cowan University who has spent years studying weight cutting in combat sports.

On today's episode, we discuss (1) fights from UFC 249 for the first 15 minutes,(2)which factors of performance are most affected by weight cutting and which are not, (3)what physiological changes take place inside a fighter's body when they are cutting weight, and are they irreversible? (4)health consequences of dehydration, and (5)ways to combat these harmful practices in MMA promotions such as the UFC and ONE FC.

You can follow Dr. Barley on Twitter @OliverBarley and you can follow me @LouFarah

Enjoy!

On this very special episode of the podcast, I am joined via Skype by Eric Renaghan - the head of sport performance for the St. Louis Blues. Eric holds a Master of Science degree from Lindenwood University where he specialized in Human Performance. Afterwards, he went on to work for the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks before joining the Blues in 2016.

Eric and I chatted about the current situation of NHL players in quarantine, our expectations for the playoffs when the season returns, how NHL players’ training differs in the regular season compared to the playoffs, why pre-game and post-game workouts are important, injury and recovery, and some stories from the St. Louis Blues gym.

You can follow Eric on Twitter @EricRenaghan and follow me @LouFarah

Hope you enjoy it!

I am joined by muscle physiologist and assistant professor at the York University Muscle Health Research Center, Dr. Arthur Cheng, to talk about fatigue during exercise and competition as well as recovery afterwards. We discuss ice baths vs hot tubs, antioxidants and their effectiveness, the types of food.supplements that are most beneficial for energy and recovery, performance enhancing drugs, and a lot more!

I am joined by sport psychologist and founder of Consistent Elite Performance, Dr. Cassidy Preston, to talk about all things sport psychology. From confidence and emotional regulation to imagery and meditation. We also talked about Dr. Preston's professional hockey career, and life lessons we can draw from sports.

You can follow Dr. Preston on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CassidyPreston

Instagram: @consistenteliteperformance

Website: consistenteliteperformance.com

You can follow me on Twitter: @LouFarah

Enjoy!

Dr. Andrea Josse, a nutrition scientist and an exercise physiologist, joins me on the 11th episode of the podcast to discuss healthy and sustainable ways to lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass. We discuss the importance of dairy in our diets, and the truth behind organic and non-GMO food.

What is the philosophy behind Crossfit? Who can benefit from it and who can't? Why does it get a bad reputation and how dangerous is it really? My friend, and CrossFit coach, Victoria Larocca(MSc)answers these questions and more on today's episode.

Should children specialize in one sport, or play multiple sports? What offers the best chance at becoming a professional athlete? Can specialization really lead to burnout and dropout?

My friend and chiropractor Dr. Mario Fajfer joins me to talk about the myths/misconceptions of chiropractic care and its benefits. And Dr. Fajfer tells us how to spot legitimate and illegitimate chiropractors.

Enjoy!

My friend and lab-mate, Nima Dehghansai, joins me on this episode to talk about the paralympics and its rising popularity, difficulties and challenges that athletes with disability face, and we both share stories from our upbringing.

Enjoy!

My Ph.D supervisor, Dr. Joe Baker, joins me on the 6th episode of the Fandom Science Podcast! Joe tells his story of how he became one of the most prominent sport scientists. We discuss some myths/misconceptions of talent, mortality and longevity of elite athletes compared to the general population, and Joe gives us some solid life advice.