Physiologically Speaking

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

In this video, I interview Dr. Latt Mansor (Instagram: @lattmansor)—research lead at Ketone-IQ and an all-around fun and savvy guy. We chat about exogenous ketones, how they work, and their research-backed benefits for cognition, as well as their potential for treating neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.I’ve been using exogenous ketones for several years now, and Ketone-IQ has become the brand that I trust and use almost daily for workout recovery, performance, and cognitive enhancement. And I’m excited to announce that I just joined their scientific advisory board and can’t wait to help share the science of ketones with the world.Try some for yourself:Unlock sharper focus and support long-term brain health with Ketone-IQ— Get 30% off your subscription, plus a free gift with your second shipment at ketone.com/BRADY. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

In this video, I critique a recent article highlighting 5 signs that you might be eating "too much protein." This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

If you’re wondering, “Did he say airports in gyms instead of gyms in airports?”, the answer is yes. OOPS.Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

Greetings!I sat down this weekend to record a short video to provide an update on my current training and injury status and share some stories about my injury history as a runner. I opened up a bit about some struggles, what I’ve learned, and what I want to improve on in the future. Thanks for watching.~Brady~ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

Greetings!In place of this week’s newsletter, I recorded a Q&A session based on questions I’ve received in the last few months. I had so much fun doing it and hope you enjoy listening (and learn something!)I answer a variety of questions related to training, nutrition, supplementation, and injury prevention; share insights on the use of ketones and creatine; discuss fueling strategies for workouts, and emphasize the importance of mental performance and adaptation. I also cover challenges related to heat training, health concerns associated with high training volumes, and the role of gear in running, as well as advice on weight management while training for performance.You can find an edited list of questions and my responses below (for those who prefer to read). It’s a bit shorter and punchier for better digestibility.Nutrition & SupplementationExogenous KetonesQ: How often do you use exogenous ketones? I noticed recovery benefits during ultra training but not with lower volume.A: During peak marathon blocks I currently take 4 shots/week (of Ketone-IQ: two after my hard interval session and two after my long run. I pair them with post‑workout carbs and protein. I generally don’t use them in base phases or at low training volumes.Q: What are your overall thoughts on ketones, and when/how often do you take them? Worth the investment?A: They’re not a miracle supplement, and many basics move the needle more. For me—solid sleep, nutrition, and training already in place—ketones are a small edge I experiment with mainly post‑workout for recovery. Cost matters, so I focus usage where I feel the most benefit.Q: Do you use ketones pre‑workout or pre‑race? I’ve heard folks tout recovery benefits most.A: Rarely pre‑race. Occasionally before a long run for a “flow”/focus feel, but for performance I prioritize carbohydrates during the session. My primary use case remains after hard sessions and long runs.CreatineQ: Thoughts on creatine? Do you cycle off?A: I take ~5–10 g/day, every day. There’s no need to cycle; creatine isn’t a hormone and doesn’t cause receptor “desensitization.” If you stop for a week or two, your stores remain fairly saturated; after >~1 month off, benefits likely wane.Q: Do you take creatine on non‑training days?A: Yes—daily. Creatine works via long‑term saturation, not acute timing.Q: Does timing matter?A: You can take it anytime, but I prefer post‑workout with a meal (protein + carbs). Better blood flow/insulin sensitivity may help uptake and support glycogen/protein synthesis.Q: What supplements are you taking right now?A: Daily: Omega‑3s (EPA/DHA), creatine, vitamin D, iron (FerroZorb/Thorne), and Tongkat Ali (experimental; no clear effects noticed, no downsides so far). I removed ashwagandha—I felt it sometimes blunted my drive/mood (anecdotal).FuelingQ: How do you fuel early‑morning sessions? Two‑hour rides are also hard to fuel.A: I’m not hungry early. I usually start fasted and then take carbs during (gels/drink mix). For 90–120 minutes, I aim ~40–60 g carbs/hour. ≤80‑minute easy runs I often do fasted.Q: What do you eat right after a workout if you’re not hungry?A: Hot days kill appetite. I lean on Greek yogurt + granola + berries or a smoothie (protein + fruit + greens powder + ice). Cold/sweet options go down easier than “hearty” meals.Q: You use multiple gel types. How do you choose, and why not Maurten?A: I rotate to avoid palate fatigue and to match purpose: caffeine vs. non‑caffeine; 40 g vs. 20–25 g carb gels; different carb sources (maltodextrin/fructose vs. “real‑food” blends). Current favorites:* SIS Beta Fuel (40 g, isotonic)—easy to take without water.* Minted (40 g + ~50 mg caffeine, unflavored)—simple profile.* BPN GO (25 g, real‑food)—tasty and lighter. Maurten works but the chewable texture isn’t ideal for me at race pace.Q: Benefits of fueling even “easy” long runs? Downsides of not fueling?A: Fueling easy long runs may not boost performance that day, but it protects recovery by limiting glycogen debt/calorie deficit. I feel better the next day when I fuel a 20‑miler vs. under‑fueling or going fully fasted.Training & WorkoutsQ: First six weeks of a 12‑week marathon block—what quality do you do? Continuous threshold or intervals? Key goal‑pace workout before race?A: Early and late phases look similar: lots of tempo/threshold work, with some shorter, faster reps closer to race day. I prefer continuous threshold (tempos; 2–3 mi repeats) over short reps. Two staples:* 8–10 miles at marathon pace within a long run (dress rehearsal with fueling/shoes).* 4–3–2–1 mile cut‑down (pace quickens each block; ~10 total quality miles).Q: Strength training—do you follow a program (e.g., StrengthLog)?A: Not a strict program. I do simple bodyweight/dumbbell work a few times weekly (push‑ups, pull‑ups, DB variations). It’s minimal but helps durability.Q: Go‑to bike workouts to improve running?A: Mostly aerobic intervals like 3–4 × 15–20 min @ ~80–85% FTP. Great marathon‑effort proxy. Otherwis

In this conversation, I chat with Dr. Joseph Matthews. He’s a postdoctoral research fellow in Geriatrics and Protein Metabolism, a physiologist, and a nutritionist.Joe just authored a review paper on protein quality, in which he and his coauthors define protein quality, what determines it, and why some of the methods we currently use to measure protein quality are outdated (and how we could do better).You’ll learn the highest quality sources of protein, nuances around protein timing and quantity, whether animal or plant proteins are best, and more.You can find Joe on:* X - @JosephMatthews_ * LinkedInJoe also just started writing on Substack - so check him out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

Dr. Nicholas Fabiano is a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa and a rising voice in the field of lifestyle psychiatry. With a background in applied life sciences and medical training at the University of Ottawa, he has developed a passion for understanding how exercise, nutrition, and sleep influence mental health.Featured in outlets such as The Washington Post and Fast Company, Dr. Fabiano has been recognized as a “rising star” in neuroscience for his evidence-based approach to mental health. In this conversation, Dr. Fabiano joins me to discuss the multifaceted role of creatine, particularly its implications for brain health, cognitive function, and mental health. We focus on a review article he just published titled "Creatine for the Brain: More is Likely Better for Brain Bioenergetics, Health, and Function,” in which he argues that 10 grams or more of creatine per day may be the optimal dose for cognitive performance and mental health.He emphasizes the importance of understanding dosing, the potential benefits of creatine in various conditions such as sleep deprivation, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and depression, and the need for more research to optimize creatine supplementation and its mechanisms of action in the brain.Follow Nick on X: @ntfabianoFollow Nick on Instagram: @ntfabiano This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

In this video, I chat with Kristi Storoschuk, a PhD candidate in muscle physiology at Queen’s University. She’s actively involved in research on high-intensity interval training, mitochondria, glucose regulation, and lactate.Kristi joined me to talk about her recent review article titled Much Ado About Zone 2: A Narrative Review Assessing the Efficacy of Zone 2 Training for Improving Mitochondrial Capacity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the General Population, in which she questions the bold claims made about the superiority of zone 2 training for improving mitochondrial capacity, fat oxidation, cardiorespiratory fitness, and general health outcomes. It’s a must-read.* Follow Kristi on X @k_storoschuk* Follow Kristi on Instagram @krististoroschuk This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

On Monday, I spoke to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation's ‘Be Bone Strong’ NYC & Sydney Marathon Teams for an in-depth discussion on how to train smarter, recover better, and boost performance at any age.Thanks to Barbara Grufferman for the invitation and opportunity to speak. She’s graciously allowed me to share the webinar with my audience. Enjoy!Topics covered:* Recovery after stress fractures * Flexible training strategies that protect performance * How to improve speed without risking injury * Pacing tips for race day success * Age-related adaptations and smarter recovery for older runners * Heat training and travel prep for international races * Creatine: what kind, how much, and when to take it * Nutrition timing for energy and performance * Electrolytes, hydration, and marathon fueling * Pros and cons of ice baths, compression boots, and NSAIDs * VO₂ max: what it is and how to raise it * Why "physiological resilience" matters * Sleep, glycogen, and why gels matter mid-race* And more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

This interview was originally published on September 24, 2024.David Roche is a decorated trail runner, coach, and co-founder of SWAP Running. He's a two-time national champion and a three-time Team USA member, and he recently set the course record at the Leadville 100 trail run with a time of 15 hours, 26 minutes, 34 seconds.David and his wife, Megan Roche, M.D., offer coaching that blends science, training theory, and a philosophy of joy and long-term growth for all athletes. Megan just launched a website—Huzzah—“to empower female endurance athletes by providing accessible sports science knowledge and fostering a love for sport through content, insights, and scholarships, with a focus on supporting overall health, education, and competitive edge.”I’ve become a bit obsessed with how David thinks about running and how invested he and Megan are in reading and implementing the science of training and racing. So I needed to nerd out with him on some topics.In this interview, I picked David’s mind about his scientific approach to training, and we detail several of the training practices he used in his buildup to the race, including:Sodium bicarbonateDownhill runningHigh-carb fuelingSuper shoesPost-exercise exogenous ketonesHeat training/hot water immersionCaffeineHeart rate zonesAnd more!Relevant linksFor more details about David and SWAP Running, visit their About Us pageFollow David on X @MountainRocheWatch the documentary about David’s record: Leadville 100 Ultramarathon & David Roche's Run for The Impossible Record and the other kick-ass videos he posts about training on his YouTube channel. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe

Welcome to the recap of my first live subscriber Q&A! It was a lot of fun connecting with you all and answering your thoughtful questions. In this post, I’ll walk through the key topics we discussed, including my marathon training approach, supplement routine, fueling strategies, and more.Thank you Zach Bitter, Esther VanderMark, dr_cois, Barbell Mentality, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.Table of contents* My Training Philosophy: Running Less, Biking More* My Supplement Routine (and Philosophy)* Fueling for Long Runs and Marathons: How I Changed My Approach* Live Q&A Questions* Have you experienced low blood sugar or bonking during runs?* What’s your advice for returning to running after an injury?* Does cycling help build your aerobic base for running?* What are your thoughts on nitrate supplements like beetroot juice?* What’s your approach to warming up before races and workouts?* Do you lift after long runs or interval workouts?* What do you think about concerns over eating high amounts of carbs during marathons?* How does race-day nutrition affect your recovery afterward?* If I’m a slower marathoner, should I train differently than you?* What’s your approach to returning to training after illness?* Is cycling useful even if your running mileage isn’t maxed out yet?* How does L-glutamine help with gut health?My Training Philosophy: Running Less, Biking MoreOne of the most common questions I get is about how I structure my training week, particularly how I balance running and cycling. For my Boston Marathon build, I chose to run five days per week and ride the bike two days per week. This approach stems from years of battling injuries, particularly bone stress injuries. Every time I tried running six or seven days per week—even at moderate mileage—I seemed to get hurt.To avoid that, I started squeezing more mileage into fewer running days, reaching 75 to 85 miles per week while running just five days. On the two non-running days, I cycled for 90 minutes to two and a half hours using Zwift. Cycling allowed me to maintain a high aerobic load without the musculoskeletal strain of running. Having two full days without running each week seemed to give my body the time it needed to recover and regenerate. I felt fresher on all my runs and stayed injury-free throughout the training block, which hadn't been the case in past training cycles.My Supplement Routine (and Philosophy)Supplements are something I get asked about all the time, and during the Q&A, I walked through my current supplement stack. I take a fairly extensive range of supplements, but my general philosophy is simple: if you have the discretionary income and a curiosity to experiment, supplements can be worth exploring.Each morning, I start with a whey protein shake, usually mixing 20 to 30 grams of whey protein with almond milk. I add a greens and probiotic powder, and I take L-glutamine daily, mostly for gut health and immune support. Creatine monohydrate is also a daily staple, as is an omega-3 supplement, iron (to correct low ferritin), and vitamin D3. I also occasionally use ashwagandha to support stress adaptation. Supplements aren’t magic, but they can help support an already solid foundation of training, nutrition, and sleep.Fueling for Long Runs and Marathons: How I Changed My ApproachFueling during training runs and races has been one of the biggest shifts in my approach over the past year. Previously, I barely fueled during runs, often going fasted. Now, for most morning runs, I eat a small snack about 30 to 45 minutes beforehand. During long runs or runs over 90 minutes, I take energy gels every 30 to 40 minutes. Science in Sport Beta Fuel gels have been my favorite because of their high carbohydrate content and easy consistency.Proper fueling has made a noticeable difference not just in performance but also in recovery. By ending long workouts with a smaller energy deficit, my next-day performance has been consistently better.Live Q&A QuestionsHave you experienced low blood sugar or bonking during runs?Yes, especially after I started eating before runs. I experienced mild reactive hypoglycemia about three miles into runs, which I confirmed using a continuous glucose monitor. It turned out the timing of my pre-run snack was causing a dip in blood sugar. Adjusting the timing—either eating earlier (45–60 minutes before) or just minutes before starting—helped eliminate the issue.What’s your advice for returning to running after an injury?I recommend the walk-run method, regardless of experience level. Coming back slowly with a run-walk protocol reduces injury risk and helps you rebuild fitness without overwhelming your musculoskeletal system. Even elite runners use this strategy when returning from time off.Does cycling help build your aerobic base for running?Absolutely. Cycling has been a key part of maintaining and building my aerobic fitness while sparing my body from the poundin

This talk dives into the science of cardiovascular fitness, its profound impact on longevity, and how to train smarter without overcomplicating it. I delivered it at the Golden Age Health Summit on March 15, 2025, in Austin, TX.Key Takeaways:Why VO2 max is your longevity superpower How aerobic fitness declines with age—and what to do about it A simplified 3-zone training model: Easy (50-70% HR max), Moderate (70-85% HR max), and Hard (85-100% HR max) Practical tips to train effectively without overcomplicating it Part I explores why VO2 max—your body’s maximal oxygen consumption—is a critical marker of health and performance. Learn how VO2 max integrates multiple physiological systems (lungs, heart, blood vessels, mitochondria, and more) and why it’s a stronger predictor of longevity than traditional risk factors like cholesterol or BMI. With compelling data, he reveals how boosting your VO2 max by just 3.5 ml/kg/min can slash all-cause mortality risk by 11%, and how top-tier aerobic fitness cuts that risk by 45%. But fitness fades with age—this talk breaks down why VO2 max declines (thanks to the Fick equation!) and how building a "fitness investment account" now can keep you above the frailty threshold later in life.Part 2 demystifies heart rate percentages, lactate thresholds, and complex zone models with a practical 3-zone approach—Easy, Moderate, and Hard—showing you how to improve your VO2 max and cardiovascular health without obsessing over metrics. From the foundational benefits of the Easy Zone (think base endurance and mitochondrial efficiency) to the ceiling-raising power of the Hard Zone (hello, VO2 max gains!), this section offers actionable insights for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete. Plus, discover why wearables aren’t perfect, how individual differences matter, and why effort—not exact percentages—drives adaptation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/subscribe