The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

In this episode:

Through 78 episodes the TriDoc podcast has been a resource for athletes trying to make sense of the advertising and marketing that accompanies products aimed at them promising to improve performance. On this episode, joined by the podcast intern Maddy Pesch, I review the ways that such marketing is often deceiving and how consumers can be better attuned to the kinds of common ways that what is promised so very often deviates from reality.Plus, a conversation with the highly entertaining Alex Larson. A nutritionist for endurance athletes who understands that eating is not only something to be enjoyed but a way to fuel high performance training and racing.

Segments:

[5:22]- Decoding the science in marketing

[39:10]- Alex Larson

Links

Alex's website

Instagram: alexlarsonnutrition

YouTube

FaceBook

FaceBook group

In this episode:

training with a running injury is often impossible and can be a real issue if a race is coming up. A new device called the Lever Movement advertises itself as a potential solution allowing runners to 'unweight' themselves and train through injury getting the benefits of improved fitness while allowing for injuries to heal. Similar but much more complicated and expensive technology in the form of the AlterG offers similar claims. So what does the science say? Are these devices worth the investment of money and time or is there a cheaper more accessible solution? Plus, a conversation with Dr. Tracy Cushing. Always smiling, always moving forward no matter what obstacles she faces, this triathlete had to deal with a rare form of breast cancer and through it all used triathlon as one of her main motivators through her darkest moments. Hear how she made it through and returned just as strong as ever.

Segments:

[6:54]- Anti-gravity running

[20:51]- Dr. Tracy Cushing

Links

AlterG website: link

Tracy Cushing on IG: @tracycrushescancer

Information on Lobular Breast Cancer: link

In this episode:

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) has been around for more than three decades but is only now becoming more widely known among endurance athletes. What is it? How does it work? Does it really offer benefits that make it something that triathletes and other endurance athletes should consider? I look at the science. Plus, a conversation with John Duquette the owner of Blue70 sports on the how and why of wetsuits for triathlon. Are they really that much faster? Am I better with sleeves or without and what about those floaty shorts?

Segments:

[6:45]- Medical question

[22:14]- Interview

Links

TriDoc IM Indiana Race Report

Blue70

Myfirstwetsuit.com

In this episode:

Fall is here and with it comes the switch back to standard time. Why do we go through the annual changing of the clocks and is there any effect on health of doing so? I look at the evidence and include a discussion on a similar subject, crossing time zones for travel. How it impacts performance and why as well as what you can do about it. Plus, a conversation with six time Ironman World Champion and Master Coach Mark Allen.

Segments:

[10:40]- Daylight savings time/Jet Lag

[26:00]- Mark Allen

Links

Kelly O'Mara opinion article in Triathlete (membership required)

Mark Allen Coaching

In this episode:

Are you a morning person? An evening person? Something in between? Whatever it is, that chronotype has implications for when you are likely to best perform as an athlete during the day. Circadian rhythm refers to our internal clock and it has control over many physiologic processes. It turns out that it also has effects on athletic performance but it can be manipulated. In this episode I review the science on what time of day we perform our best and how we can manipulate our biology to work for us when we want it to. Plus, an interview with Detroit attorney and Ironman Foundation fundraiser Bill Ogden. Bill has had an eventful 2020 and 2021 in and out of our sport and he shares his experiences good and bad to help us all see the good that is in triathlon.

Segments:

[9:00]- Circadian rhythm

[20:26]- Bill Ogden

Links

Bill Ogden IMF donation page

Bill's Story with MS

In this episode:

In the third and final episode looking at novel treatments for injury, I look at the evidence supporting the use of Low Levels Laser Treatment (LLLT). This is a widely available procedure with no really well understood mechanism of action. Is there evidence to suggest that it might be useful? Plus, a conversation with up and coming Australian professional triathlete Steve McKenna. After an injury forced him to take time off from Aussie Rules football, McKenna discovered his natural abilities in multisport and he has never looked back.

Segments:

[9:30]- LLLT

[24:25]- Steve McKenna

In this BONUS episode:

Tim O'Donnell had a heart attack during a race and just recently announced this to the world. Now, collectively, the triathlon world is quite justifiably freaking out. If this happened to him then couldn't it happen to anyone? In this special bonus episode I discuss what it all means and why most people don't really need to worry. I am also joined by interventional cardiologist Dr. Matt Holland to discuss some of the nuances of what Tim disclosed in his video and leave you with some important take home points of what you should consider going forward to remain healthy.

Links

Tim's YouTube announcement video

In this episode:

Continuing the series on alternative therapies for injuries I look at the evidence in support of platelet rich plasma injections (PRP). While it has attracted a lot of attention and is advocated as a near miracle cure for all sorts of ailments, is there any research that actually bears out some of the claims? I take a look and give you a summary of the findings. Also, a conversation with the editor in chief of Triathlete Magazine, Keely O'Mara. Kelly is a pro triathlete with a lot of experience in and around the sport and has some great insights on all things triathlon.

Segments:

[8:40]- Medical question

[27:26]- Interview

Links

In this episode:

No one wants to get an injury as an athlete let alone be faced with a prolonged period of recovery before being able to return training. For this reason, those with injuries, especially of the chronic kind, are always looking for ways to hasten the healing process and get back to it. On this episode I begin a series of segments looking at the evidence for or against some of the more popular treatments that athletes may turn to. The first one I will examine is the use of steroid injections. Are they helpful? Can they cause harm? Who should consider them? Plus, a conversation with recently retired professional triathlete and the entrepreneur behind Dimond Bikes, TJ Tollakson.

Segments:

[05:53]- Steroids for injury

[19:33]- TJ Tollakson

Links

Dimond Bikes YouTube videos on the history of beam bikes: https://youtu.be/rKqTnuhAVZw

Dimond Bikes

Red Crown Cycling

In this episode:

In episode 66 I covered the benefits of massage as well as the risks if used too close to an event. On this episode I look at what has been done to evaluate the use of massage guns and vibration massage tools. Are they helpful? Are they any different than standard massage? Plus a conversation with High Intensity Interval Training expert and consultant Paul Larsen. He literally wrote the book on how to use this popular modality of training to get stronger and faster. He joins me to discuss the methods, the evidence to back them up and how triathletes can use HIIT to get faster in all three disciplines.

Segments:

[06:55]- Massage guns

[18:56]- Paul Larsen-HIIT

Links

https://hiitscience.com

https://athletica.ai/

Instagram

@hiitscience

@athletica_ai