Managing type 1 diabetes as a triathlete isn’t just tough – it’s a constant balancing act. But with the right tools, strategy and support, you can absolutely perform at your best.

In this episode, I chat with Dr Sam Scott – exercise physiologist, diabetes researcher and former Head of Research for Team Novo Nordisk – about the science and strategy behind training and racing with T1D. Sam breaks down the complexities of glucose management, carbohydrate fuelling and how cutting-edge tech is empowering athletes to thrive.

What we talk about about

• Why this topic matters for endurance athletes
• Sam’s background in exercise physiology and elite sport
• The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Why exercise is so complex for T1D
• Common myths about fuelling with diabetes
• Smart carb strategies and CGM tech
• Performance fueling: what’s possible?
• The future of AI-driven support with Enhanced
• The power of possibility: sport as a gateway

Links & Resources

Dr Sam Scott’s book: The Science of Exercise with Type 1 Diabetes

Learn more about Enhanced

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

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The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could your comeback story start with your plate?

In this inspiring episode, we hear from TNA athlete Brian McLean, who proves that nutrition isn't just for race day. Nine months after tearing his ACL in a backyard basketball game, Brian is back training for 70.3 races, stronger and more dialled-in than ever. His secret? Strategic nutrition from day one of rehab.

Brian shares how:

• His identity took a hit after injury and how he handled it

• He applied TNA principles to support faster healing

• Eating smarter helped him avoid weight gain and muscle loss

• He shifted from a Western diet to a plant-first approach

• Nutrition gave him the confidence to train, race and feel better than before

This episode is packed with real talk, practical takeaways and a powerful reminder: nutrition matters, even when you’re not training.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think you’re nailing hydration because you’ve got a pastel-coloured electrolyte drink in hand? Think again.

In this episode, I bust through the marketing fluff and break down exactly when, why and how triathletes should use electrolytes. Forget what TikTok says, here’s the science-backed truth from an endurance sports dietitian.

🔍 Here’s what we cover:

• Why electrolyte hype has gone wild

• When you actually need electrolytes

• The big player in sweat losses: sodium

• How your sweat rate and sodium loss are unique

• Real athlete story: The Human Sprinkler

• What is hyponatremia and why it’s dangerous

• Food vs electrolyte drinks: when water is enough

• How to choose the right product for you

• What to avoid: fairy dust and false promises

• The real strategy behind smart hydration

Whether you’re a salty sweater, a light sipper, or somewhere in between — this episode will help you stop guessing and start fuelling your hydration properly.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is gut health just another nutrition fad, or a legit performance game-changer for triathletes?

In this episode, Taryn breaks down the gut microbiome in a way that makes sense for endurance athletes. Discover what it is, what it does, and how to support it without expensive supplements or trendy fermented food obsessions.

Key Takeaways:

• Your microbiome impacts energy, recovery and immunity
• Diversity in your diet equals diversity in your gut
• Restrictive diets can trash your microbiome
• Proper fuelling protects your gut lining

It’s not about probiotics, it’s about overall nutrition habits. 

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think nutrition is only for podium chasers? Think again.

In this inspiring chat, we meet Dr Sarah Barr, a proud back-of-the-packer, cancer survivor and one determined triathlete chasing big endurance goals including a full Ironman for her 62nd birthday. As a long-time calorie counter and clean eater, Sarah thought she had nutrition sorted... until she realised she had no idea how to fuel as a triathlete.

We dive into:
• Why nutrition is just as critical for slower athletes
• Common fuelling myths that leave back-of-packers bonking
• How Sarah overcame restrictive mindsets to fuel with purpose
• What she’s doing differently to chase her next big goal

This episode is a must-listen for any triathlete who’s ever thought they’re “too slow” to need a proper fuelling plan.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are your hormones hijacking your training? If you've ever felt off during certain weeks of your cycle and wondered if your nutrition needs to change, you're not alone.

This week, we're tackling one of the most common questions from female triathletes: should you be fuelling differently during your period? With new research emerging, it's time to bust some myths and cut through the confusion.

You'll learn:

• What the science actually says about performance across the menstrual cycle

• Why your luteal and follicular phases might affect more than just your mood

• Practical tips to help you tweak your nutrition when (and if) you need to

This episode will help you feel more confident and in control of your body, your training and your nutrition, no matter where you are in your cycle.

Links & Resources

McNulty, K. L., Elliott-Sale, K. J., Dolan, E., Swinton, P. A., Ansdell, P., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., & Hicks, K. M. (2020). The effects of menstrual cycle phase on exercise performance in eumenorrheic women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50(10), 1813–1827. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01319-3

Schlie, J., Krassowski, V., & Schmidt, A. (2025). Effects of menstrual cycle phases on athletic performance and related physiological outcomes: A systematic review of studies using high methodological standards. Journal of Applied Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00223.2025

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your wearable helping or hindering your performance?

In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Shona Halson – globally respected expert in sleep, recovery and athletic performance – to unpack what the science actually says about popular wearables like Whoop bands and Oura rings.

With more age group triathletes collecting 24/7 data, it’s easy to get lost in numbers and miss what truly matters. Shona shares her evidence-based insights to help you cut through the hype and use wearables wisely to improve sleep, training and recovery.

In this episode, we cover:

• How wearables like Whoop and Oura stack up for accuracy

• What sleep metrics you can actually trust (and which are fluff)

• Understanding HRV and recovery scores – are they useful?

• Napping 101: what duration is ideal for triathletes?

• The sneaky impact of caffeine and alcohol on sleep

• Morning vs overnight data: what’s better for training decisions?

• Sleep across the menstrual cycle – what the latest research shows

• Top 3 tips to get the most from your wearable (without losing your mind)

• Which device is best: Whoop, Oura or something else?

Whether you're already wearing one or considering jumping on board, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you stop obsessing over your data and start using it for smarter recovery and race-day performance.

Links & Resources

Connect with Prof Shona Halson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonahalson/

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you train like a pro but still bonk on race day?

In this episode, I’m joined by Triathlon Nutrition Academy athlete Brent Saltmarsh — a retired Army veteran turned endurance addict — who shares his eye-opening journey from cramping and gut blowouts to PBs and cramp-free racing.

We unpack the rookie nutrition mistakes that nearly ruined his Ironman and the exact changes he’s made to transform his performance in just a few months inside TNA.

You’ll hear about:

• How Brent went from survival mode to racing with confidence

• His biggest pre-TNA nutrition blunders (including a disastrous caffeine gel moment)

• Why cramping and gut issues were signs of a deeper fuelling problem

• The exact changes he’s made to hit PBs in his 40s

• His long-term triathlon goals (hint: 90-year-old Ironman anyone?)

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Still cramping or bonking despite all your shiny gear?

In this episode, I reveal five of the biggest distractions that age-group triathletes obsess over. From carbon shoes and sperm helmets to the latest supplements, and explain why they aren't the biggest drivers of better performance.

You’ll learn what actually does move the needle, so you can stop wasting money on things that aren't serving you and start focusing on the things that do.

If you're ready to train harder and race smarter, this episode is a must-listen.

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you training hard but still falling short on race day?

In this episode, we're coming to you live from Mooloolaba after an epic weekend at Sunny Coast 70.3. TNA athletes Kelly Estes and Kathleen Gilton join Taryn to share the three race-day nutrition strategies that helped them perform at their best, even while racing internationally.

Whether you're chasing a PB or just trying to survive the distance, you'll get practical, evidence-based insights you can apply right away.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Celebrating TNA performances at Sunny Coast 70.3
• Kelly: From over 7 hours to 5:29 at 65 years young
• Dialling in carb availability: what 400g+ carbs/day can do
• Kathleen: From gut bombs to perfectly fuelled race day
• A 17-year break, a sprint start and now a 70.3 weapon
• Planning and practising race day nutrition while travelling
• Recovery nutrition: the secret to training consistency
• The results: world champs qualifiers and PBs in paradise

Links & Resources

👉 Grab the free Triathlon Nutrition Checklist to find out exactly what you're missing:
https://www.dietitianapproved.com/checklist

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Build your personalised triathlon fuelling plan inside the Triathlon Nutrition Academy. 

Download the FREE audio series The 5 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Costing You Time on Race Day

SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE

CONNECT WITH TARYN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

The Triathlon Nutrition Academy® is a podcast by Dietitian Approved®. All rights reserved.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.