Find Your Edge: Training, Sports Nutrition & Mindset Tools for Triathletes, Runners & High Achievers Chasing Performance & Longevity

Training in the heat doesn't just feel harder—it places extra stress on your body that can impact performance, recovery, and safety. In this replay episode of the Find Your Edge Podcast, Coach Chris Newport shares practical, science-based strategies to help endurance athletes and active individuals recognize the signs of heat stress, stay hydrated, and perform safely in hot and humid conditio...

Iron deficiency is one of the most overlooked reasons endurance athletes struggle with fatigue, poor recovery, declining performance, and brain fog. In this episode of the Find Your Edge Podcast, Emily Qiu interviews iron researcher Dr. Cory Dugan, with Coach Chris Newport joining the discussion, to break down the latest science behind iron deficiency in endurance athletes. You'll learn:  Why...

Are oats really the superfood they're made out to be? In this episode of the Find Your Edge Podcast, Chris Newport and dietetic intern Emily Qiu break down everything endurance athletes need to know about oats, oatmeal, beta-glucan fiber, blood sugar control, heart health, gut health, and performance nutrition. You'll learn: • Why oats support both performance and longevity • What beta-g...

Most athletes get routine blood work. Very few understand which biomarkers truly matter for performance, recovery, and longevity. In this episode of Find Your Edge, Coach Chris Newport and dietetic intern Emily Qiu break down the special lab values endurance athletes should know about and why they matter. We discuss: • CBC and CMP basics • ApoB and cardiovascular risk • Magnesium and athletic perf...

Most athletes focus on muscles. But what about the framework that supports them? In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport and dietetic intern Emily Qiu discuss why bone health matters for athletes of all ages. We cover: bone mineral density and aging why bone density peaks around age 30 DEXA scans and why they matter stress fractures and injury prevention calcium, vitamin D, protein...

Why do so many endurance athletes struggle with cramping, GI distress, dehydration, and race-day fueling? Because they're asking the wrong question. Instead of asking: "What's the best gel?"  "What's the best electrolyte?"  "What's the best sports drink?" Coach Chris Newport encourages athletes to ask: "What does my body actually need?" I...

Should you use gels during training and racing? Which ones are best? And why do some athletes swear by certain brands while others cannot stomach them? In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport and dietetic intern Emily Qiu break down the world of endurance gels. We cover: what gels actually do why fueling during exercise matters differences between popular gel brands caffeine, sodiu...

Sleep is one of the most important recovery tools athletes have—but many endurance athletes are not getting enough. In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport talks with dietetic intern Emily Qiu about how sleep and nutrition affect athlete mental health, recovery, anxiety, depression, insomnia, inflammation, and performance. We cover: why endurance athletes may need 8–10 hours of sle...

Hydration may seem basic, it's one of the biggest reasons endurance athletes struggle in training and racing (and come to us for help). In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport shares essential reminders about sweat rate, sodium loss, fluid needs, dehydration, heat, cramping, bonking, and GI distress. You’ll learn: why sodium matters most in sweat why every athlete’s sweat is u...

Race day does not end at the finish line. In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport shares how to write a race report or post-race debrief that actually helps you become a better athlete. You’ll learn what to reflect on after a race, including:  why you chose the race   how training went   race-day logistics   pacing and execution   fueling and hydration   gear and equipment   mental...

In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport shares what we learned from our recent Triathlon Training Camp—and why athletes made more progress in just a few days than they would have in months training alone. We break down: Why confidence comes from experience (not just fitness) How personalized coaching accelerates results The small fixes that lead to big performance gains How repetit...

Many athletes rely on gels, sports drinks, and energy chews to fuel their workouts—but real foods can be just as effective. In this episode of the Find Your Edge podcast, Coach Chris Newport shares practical ideas for fueling endurance exercise with portable real foods. We cover: Real food options for pre-workout fueling Portable foods for long runs and rides Recovery nutrition without supplements...

Are you getting injured every time your training ramps up? Or do you feel like your running form falls apart when you get tired? In this episode of the Find Your Edge podcast, Coach Chris Newport sits down with physical therapist Dr. Rick Pitman to talk about what really causes running injuries—and why it is not always about doing “too much.” We dive into: • Why durability matters just as much as...

Are GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound right for you, especially as an athlete or active adult? And if you are taking one, how do you lose fat without losing muscle? In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport, RDN, LDN, CISSN, EP shares what she is seeing in practice with patients using GLP-1 medications and explains how to optimize nutrition for better results. You’l...

What is it really like to race the XTERRA World Championship in Italy? In this episode, Coach Chris Newport shares the full story of racing in Trentino, Italy—from qualifying at USA Nationals to battling freezing water, mud, panic, transition penalties, and one of the hardest race days of her life. You’ll hear: what the XTERRA World Championship course was really like lessons learned about gear, r...

If your watch says your VO2 max went up… or down… should you trust it? In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport breaks down: what VO2 and VO2 max actually mean how Garmin and other devices estimate VO2 max why wearable predictions can be useful—but limited how lab testing gives more accurate information why economy, training, and consistency matter more than obsessing over one numbe...

Join Coach Carlie & Coach Chris to review research on first-time amateur Ironman 70.3 athletes to unpack what happens to mood, motivation, and confidence across a six-month training build. We also share how coaching, clear communication, and a focus on joy can keep training consistent while real life keeps happening.  Here's what you'll learn: • why age group triathlon research matte...

In this episode of Find Your Edge , Coach Chris Newport shares four underrated superfoods that deserve a place in your kitchen and why. You’ll learn: Why oat bran is amazing for cholesterol, blood sugar, and constipation What makes broccoli sprouts so powerful for detox and longevity Why fava beans are an exciting pulse for recovery and plant-based nutrition How Jerusalem artichokes support gut he...

In this episode of Find Your Edge, Coach Chris Newport sits down with Dr. Jerry Yoo of Next Level Physical Therapy to talk about what it really takes to stay active for life—especially for runners and endurance athletes over 40. We cover: Why the best time for PT is often before you’re injured The “two diagnoses” in PT (symptom vs root cause) Shockwave therapy and regenerative tools Warm-up + cool...

Looking for a fast, flat marathon in North Carolina? In this episode of Find Your Edge, Coach Chris Newport talks with race leaders from the Tobacco Road Marathon and Half Marathon about what makes this Triangle race special. We cover: Course details and Boston qualifier stats What runners can expect on race day Charity impact and community involvement Race size and pacing support Insider tips for...

Why do some endurance athletes feel unexpectedly low after a big race? In this episode of Find Your Edge, Coach Chris Newport interviews Dr. Carlie Frost-Poirier about her new dissertation on post-race blues in long-course triathletes. You’ll learn: What post-race blues actually are Why Ironman athletes are under-studied The surprising #1 predictor (hint: life balance) Obsessive vs harmonious pass...

Girls on the Run is so much more than running—it’s a confidence-building, life-skills program for girls in grades 3–8. In this episode of the Find Your Edge podcast, Coach Chris Newport interviews Celia Dario from Girls on the Run of the Triangle. We talk about how GOTR started, what practices really look like, why the curriculum matters, and how girls build confidence through movement, friendship...

A recent Consumer Reports article raised concerns about lead levels in protein powders. Should you be worried? Should you stop using them? In this episode, Performance Nutritionist Chris Newport explains what NSF certification means, why this issue is confusing, and how you can meet your protein needs using whole foods instead of powders. Learn how to build high-protein smoothies using unconventio...

Are you training too hard—or not hard enough? In this episode of the Find Your Edge podcast, Coach Chris Newport breaks down heart rate training zones, why common formulas like “220 minus age” miss the mark, and how VO₂ max and lactate testing can dramatically improve your performance, fat burning, and longevity. You’ll learn: Why Zone 2 training is so powerful How VO₂ max and ventilatory threshol...

At age 80, Natalie Grabow became the oldest woman in history to finish the Ironman World Championship in Kona, earning a Guinness World Record — and redefining what’s possible with aging and performance. In this episode of Find Your Edge , Natalie shares how she started triathlon at 59, learned to swim as an adult, and built a lifetime of resilience through consistency, self-trust, and joy in move...