Fast Talk
477 episodes — Page 2 of 10
Ep 387387: Preparing for Cyclocross Race Day, with Adam Myerson
Cyclocross veteran Adam Myerson shares the essential race-day strategies—covering equipment, course inspection, warm-up, nutrition, and tactics—that can make or break your season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 386386: The Psychological Impact of Overtraining
We talk with Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach about the psychological indicators of overtraining, which can often be the more dynamic signs for athletes and coaches to look for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 385385: Potluck Discussion - Fatigue Training, Impact of Pregnancy, and Athlete Parents
In this week’s potluck episode, we discuss the value of training fatigued, how to support a pregnant athlete, and what we can learn from parents who are professional athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 384384: The State of Gravel Racing, with Alexey Vermeulen and Ben Delaney
We’re joined by the Michigan-born gravel racer and the longtime cycling journalist to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of gravel racing and riding in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 380383: Longevity and Biomarkers of Performance
In this episode, we take a critical look at the longevity movement and explore the most valuable—yet elusive—biomarkers for athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 382382: Can We Resurrect the American Road Race Scene?
Leipheimer talks with our team about how a new racing model used at the Levi Fondo may be the future of domestic racing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 381381: The Synergistic Power of Training Your Brain, with Dr. Scott Frey
We’re joined by neuroscientist Dr. Scott Frey as we explore the effects of mental fatigue and brain endurance training on performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 380380: Durability: The Fourth Pillar of Aerobic Fitness
Coaches have known about the importance of durability for years, but researchers are only just starting to catch up. We discuss why it is the fourth pillar of performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 379379: Why Researchers, Coaches, and Athletes Need to Work Closely Together
We talk with Dr. Michael Kennedy about his work trying to bridge the knowledge-practice gap between researchers and practitioners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
378: Potluck Discussion - Lessons Learned, Comparing Intervals, and Is All Base the Same?
In this week’s potluck episode, we discuss lessons learned from big events, the difference between over-under's and true HIIT intervals, and whether all base training is made equal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
377: When Is Our Interval Work Too Much?
Brent Bookwalter talks with us about the importance of balancing physical and mental resources to get our workouts just right. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
376: Too Little Protein? Too Much Sodium?
Two nutritional trends have serious health and performance consequences. We discuss the why, what, and how of protein and sodium intake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
375: Comparing the Top Nutrition Apps for Endurance Athletes
In this episode, we explore how endurance athletes and coaches are using today’s top nutrition apps—and what to consider before relying on them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 374374: The Impact of AI on Training Prescription, with Dr. Paul Laursen
The world of AI is changing extraordinarily fast. We spoke with Dr. Paul Laursen about the current challenges and developments of the technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 373373: The Revolutionary Work of Dr. Hans Selye
Dr. Stephen Seiler joins us to talk about one of the biggest influences on his own work, Dr Hans Selye who's been called the Einstein of the biological sciences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 372372: Coffee, Gels, and the Jitters: Using Caffeine Without Overdoing It
In this episode we explore the science of caffeine in endurance sports—when it helps, when it doesn’t, and how to use it wisely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 371371: Potluck Discussion - Is More Better, Training for Time Trial Series, and Dream Research
Our hosts talk about why we shouldn’t believe that more is always better, how to build a weekly time trial series into your training, and what research we’d like to see conducted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 370370: Our Deep Dive on the Norwegian Method
We talk with Brad Culp, author of “The Norwegian Method,” about the main tenets of the training philosophy, as well as who should and shouldn’t apply the method in their training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 369369: How Coaches and Athletes Interact with Data
Mollie Brewer joins us to discuss how we interact with data – which can say as much about coaches and athletes as the data itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 368368: Are Shorter Cranks Faster?
On this episode, Lennard Zinn shares his decades of experience and experimentation to help answer the question of whether shorter cranks are better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 367367: Podcast Swap — Body Composition, Performance, and the Dangers of Under-fueling, from the TriDoc Podcast
This week, we share an episode from the TriDoc Podcast. Host Jeff Sankoff is joined by dietitian Alex Larson and coach Juliet Hochman to explore the complex relationship between body composition, fueling, and performance—plus how coaches can support athletes without crossing the line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 366366: Balancing the Principles of Training with Triathlon
The TriDoc Jeff Sankoff joins us to talk about how to still apply the principles of supercompensation and progressive overload in a sport as complex as triathlon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 365365: Potluck Discussion - Athlete Autonomy, Training Different Bikes, and the Importance of Skincare
In this week’s potluck episode, we discuss the balance of athlete autonomy versus prescription, how to balance training with multiple types of bikes, and how to avoid being swayed by athlete-marketed skincare trends that may not be worth the hype. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 364364: How to Help Your Body Fit Better on the Bike with John Howard
We talk a lot about fitting your bike to your body, but there’s a lot you can do to keep your body healthy and help it fit in a more powerful position on the bike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 363363: Why Breathing Frequency May Become Our Best Measure of Training Stress
Dr. Stephen Seiler joins us to talk about his new project developing a breathing frequency measure and why it may match up better with perceived exertion than heart rate or power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 362362: How to Make Interval Work Motivating
Our team of coaches got together and discussed why we do intervals, how to execute them, and most importantly, how to make them more fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 361361: Examining a Critical Meta-Analysis of Training Distribution Models
Dr. Michael Rosenblat joins us to discuss the largest meta-analysis comparing distribution models that he wrote with Dr. Stephen Seiler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 360360: Potluck Discussion: First Conversation, Doing Cadence Work, and Training with a Group
In this week’s potluck episode, we discuss what coaches should look for in their first conversation with an athlete, how to best do cadence work on the bike, and how to take advantage of group training while not losing sight of your plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 359359: Do Women Athletes Need Zone 2 Training?
Recently, some prominent researchers have suggested that women need far less zone 2 training than previously thought. Physiologists Julie Young and Dr. Dana Lis join us to debate that question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 358358: How to Use—and Not Use—HRV in Your Training
We talk with HRV expert, Dr. Brad Lichtenstein, about the value of HRV in training, what it does and doesn’t show, and what to be careful of when you use it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 354357: Progressive Overload Is Critical But Does It Have a Limit?
Coach Isaiah Newkirk joins us to talk about why progressive overload is so important to training, and how we can continue to get gains when we can’t add more volume or intensity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 356356: The Importance of Maintaining Muscle Mass with Jared Berg
Fast Talk’s head physiologist details why it’s important to maintain muscle mass as an endurance athlete, and how to do it even when trying to lose weight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 355355: Potluck Discussion: Finding the Right Plan, Virtual Base Training, and U.S. Cyclocross
We discuss how to find the right plan for you, using virtual training platforms in the base season, and the state of U.S. Cyclocross. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 353354: How Homeostasis Explains Everything
In this summary episode we discuss how homeostasis is at the core of almost every function in our bodies, including how we train and stay healthy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 353353: The Power of Motivational Interviewing, with Dr. Jeff Breckon
Dr. Jeff Breckon discusses motivational interviewing concepts and techniques to empower coaches to better effect change in their athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 352352: The Four Fitness Foundations of Mobility, Flexibility, Stability, and Strength
We talk with coach and physiologist Dr. Stacey Brickson about the importance of off-the-bike work, not just for performance but longevity and health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 351351: Drawing Ethical Boundaries in the Coach-Athlete Relationship
Dr. Kate Bennett discusses ethical boundaries, dual relationships, and power imbalances that both coaches and athletes should be aware of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 350350: How to Set Strava Records on the Most Famous Climbs in the World
Jack Burke tells us how he trained and raced record-setting climbs on Alpe d’Huez, the Stelvio, and the Mortirolo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 346349: Potluck Discussion: Sacrifices, Initial Season Workouts, and Over-Communication
Our hosts talk about whether it is better to be balanced or pursue something fully, good workouts to start the season out, and how much communication is too much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 348348: How to Find Your Motivation in the Early Season
Our team talks with pro riders Madigan Munro and Noah Granigan about how they find motivation to train and stay fit when their next race is a winter away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 347347: Favorite Workouts—Off-the-Bike Edition!
We hear from Fast Talk all-star guests like Dr. Andy Pruitt and Stacey Brickson about their favorite off-the-bike workouts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 346346: The Effect of Virtual Training on Coaches and Athletes, with Robbie Ventura
Training is becoming increasingly virtual. We discuss with Velocity owner Robbie Ventura how to maximize athlete and coach interactions in this new online environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 349345: Why Our Gut Microbiome Is Important for Performance and Recovery
We talk with Julie Ann Davey about the bacteria in our gut and how the composition of our microflora affects everything in our bodies, including our performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 339344: The Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Mental Performance
We shine a light on an oft-overlooked aspect of athletic success: using nutrition for optimal mental performance, especially for endurance athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 340343: How to Fuel for Health
There’s an important difference between fueling for performance and fueling for health. In today’s episode, Dr. Mikki Williden and Dr. Paul Laursen give us their suggestions on how to fuel for health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 338342: How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful New Season
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Ep 341341: Potluck Discussion: Hobbies as Training, Returning from Injury, and Off-Season Workouts
Our host regulars discuss when an unplanned activity—such as commuting—becomes training, how to adjust for an event when returning from injury, and what training to do in the off season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 340340: Norwegian Method or Just Good Holistic Practice? With Dr. Stephen Seiler
Dr. Seiler explains what we can and can’t take from the Ingebrigtsen brothers and from the Norwegian approach to training in general. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 342339: How Our Muscles Adapt, with Dr. Brendan Egan
Dr. Brendan Egan joins our hosts to explain what happens in our muscles after a hard training session that causes us to get stronger and faster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 338338: Nutrition Needs of Junior Endurance Athletes
Our hosts talk with Jared Berg about the nutrition needs of development athletes and whether they should eat differently from their adult counterparts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices