When it comes to hydration, the quality of your electrolytes matters just as much as the quantity. Most people focus on how much sodium, potassium, and magnesium a product has—but overlook the form those minerals come in. The truth is, not all forms are equally absorbed or tolerated by the body.

In this breakdown, I examined the most common types of electrolytes used in today’s top hydration products and ranked them based on bioavailability, effectiveness, and gut tolerance. Sodium chloride and sodium citrate lead the way for quick absorption. Potassium citrate and magnesium di-malate offer high bioavailability without the digestive issues found in cheaper forms like magnesium oxide or potassium gluconate.

NXT Hydration ranks near the top with 800 mg of sodium from pink Himalayan salt, 300 mg of potassium from potassium chloride, and 60 mg of magnesium di-malate—all highly absorbable and effective forms.

In this breakdown, I cover the most common sports injuries I see in athletes—muscle strains, tendon injuries, ligament sprains, and bone fractures. I explain what happens at the physiological level during these injuries, the anatomy involved, and how the body heals over time. I also dive into the different grades of severity for each type of injury and why understanding these distinctions is critical for proper recovery.

Throughout, I emphasize how strength training, controlled loading, and progressive rehab not only reduce the risk of these injuries but also play a key role in supporting the healing process and preventing long-term issues like instability or re-injury.

www.outlierathlete.com

In this episode I dive deep into one of the most important but often overlooked principles in strength and performance training: the SAID principle, or Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands. This concept is simple but powerful—your body adapts specifically to the type of training stress you place on it. Want to get faster? You have to train fast. Want to build strength? You need to apply heavy, focused loads. It’s not just about working hard, it’s about working with purpose.

I explain how the SAID principle shapes athletic development, why specificity is the foundation of effective programming, and how different training modalities trigger very different adaptations. We also cover the importance of progressive overload, periodization, and staying consistent over time. I talk about why endurance training doesn’t automatically make you more athletic, why cross-training often gets misused, and how random training creates random results.

This one is all about cutting through the noise and helping you or your athletes train smarter, not just harder. If you’re chasing real performance gains, this is the episode you need.

In this episode of Performance Bites, I break down what it really takes to build a high-quality home gym focused on performance. Whether you’re training for strength, power, or general fitness, designing a space that works for you starts with choosing the right equipment—not the most equipment. I focus on the essentials: dumbbells, barbells, plates, a solid squat rack, a versatile bench, and a few kettlebells. I also cover the often-overlooked side of things like flooring, storage, and how to make your investment last.

We also talk money—because while the upfront cost of a home gym might seem steep, I explain how it can actually save you cash over time compared to gym memberships, especially if you train consistently and take care of your gear.

Takeaways:

• Designing a home gym requires careful consideration of equipment.

• Quality equipment is essential for effective training and safety.

• Dumbbells and barbells are foundational for strength training.

• Investing in bumper plates can protect your flooring.

• A squat rack is necessary for safe barbell training.

• Adjustable benches offer versatility for various exercises.

• Kettlebells provide unique training benefits compared to dumbbells.

• Proper storage solutions help maintain an organized gym space.

• Investing in quality equipment pays off in the long run.

• A home gym can be a cost-effective alternative to gym memberships.

In this video, I dive into one of the most powerful tools for performance: Flow State — that feeling when time disappears, your inner critic shuts off, and you’re performing at your absolute best.

As a performance coach, I’ve studied how elite athletes and creatives access this state and what it takes to get there. Drawing from Steven Kotler’s flow research, I break down the psychology, neurochemistry, and practical triggers that make flow trainable — not just something that happens by accident.

Here’s what I cover:

• What flow state is and how it works in the brain

• The 4 stages of flow: Struggle → Release → Flow → Recovery

• The 5 neurochemicals that supercharge focus and creativity

• Why the challenge/skill balance is key

• How to train flow through daily habits, risk-taking, and feedback

• Real-world performance benefits: increased learning speed, productivity, creativity, and fulfillment

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or someone chasing peak performance in work or life, this is the blueprint to training not just your body — but your state.

Train with Coach Evan

www.outlierathlete.com

In this episode, I break down the real differences between High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), general interval training, and VO2 max training. I explain how I structure each method, the specific physiological adaptations they create, and why understanding the work-to-rest ratio is crucial for getting real results.

I talk about how HIIT drives fast conditioning and fat loss through intense anaerobic bursts, how interval training flexibly targets different goals depending on intensity and duration, and how VO2 max training pushes the cardiovascular system to its absolute limit by maximizing oxygen delivery and utilization. I also share why it’s so important to match your training style to your personal fitness goals, how the body responds differently to each intensity, and what to focus on if you want to train smarter and perform better.

www.outlierathlete.com

In this episode of Performance Bites, I break down why barefoot shoes might be the missing link in your performance game. I dive deep into the anatomy of the foot — 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments — and explain how traditional shoes restrict their natural function.

I talk about how barefoot shoes can restore proper foot mechanics, improve stability and balance, and even influence how your knees, hips, and spine move. I cover the transition process and more.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just trying to move better and feel stronger — this episode unpacks how your footwear might be holding you back, and what you can do about it.

www.outlierathlete.com

www.intakebreathing.com Code: Outlierathlete

In this episode, I discuss a case study of a female athlete's journey in strength training, focusing on her progress over two and a half years. I cover the initial training methods, the importance of neuromuscular development, and the adjustments made to her program to accommodate her evolving goals. I also highlight the transition to Olympic lifting and the significance of setting long-term goals in training. Overall, I emphasize the importance of consistency, proper programming, and the potential for significant strength gains over time.

In this episode of the Outlier Athlete Podcast, I sit down with returning guest Abbi Hamlin to take a deep dive into popular fad diets, including keto, intermittent fasting, carnivore, and the pegan diet. We break down the pros and cons of each, separating science from trends to uncover what actually benefits performance—especially for athletes.

Throughout the conversation, we emphasize the importance of individual needs, metabolic differences, and how no single diet works for everyone. We also discuss the often-overlooked pillars of nutrition, including food quality, hydration, and sleep, and how they impact overall health, recovery, and long-term success.

www.outlierathlete.com

www.nxthydration.com Code: Outlierathlete

www.wildlywellabbi.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fad Diets

06:06 Exploring the Keto Diet

17:15 Understanding Intermittent Fasting

29:01 The Carnivore Diet Explained

31:03 Understanding Carnivore vs. Animal-Based Diets

37:10 Gender Differences in Dietary Responses

40:13 Evaluating the Carnivore and Animal-Based Diets

42:14 Exploring the Pegan Diet

51:18 Personal Dietary Approaches and Alcohol's Impact

In this episode, I dive deep into the crucial role of exercise selection in achieving your fitness goals. It’s not just about picking exercises at random—every movement you choose should have a purpose. I break down how understanding the demands placed on the nervous system during training can help you get the most out of every workout. I also discuss the importance of balancing muscle groups, ensuring that no area is overworked or neglected, which is key for both injury prevention and maximizing performance.

I walk through how to structure your workouts effectively, covering what to prioritize and why certain exercises may be better suited for different training goals. Whether you’re training for strength, endurance, power, or overall athleticism, the right exercise selection makes all the difference. Plus, I share why working with a knowledgeable coach can be a game-changer when it comes to refining your programming and making real progress.

If you’re serious about training smarter—not just harder—this episode is for you. Tune in and learn how to take your workouts to the next level.

www.outlierathlete.com

www.intakbreathing.com Code: Outlierathlete

www.nxthydration.com Code: Outlierathlete