The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

In this episode: It is a fact of life that as we age endurance performance inevitably declines. But do both genders decline at the same rate or, does one gender decline more slowly than the other? Hear what the research says on the Medical Mailbag. Plus, Chris Bagg is the head coach at Campfire Endurance and the writer of an article on whether or not we as triathletes should be focusing on hunting...

In this episode: How does cardiorespiratory fitness affect the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in women? In the Medical Mailbag we look at new research that suggests daily exercise can have a profound effect on decreasing the likelihood of developing this disease. Plus, an interview with age group triathlete, author and coach Doug Morris on how multisport brings him joy and how he shares...

In this episode: How much do biomechanics influence running economy and is this something that coaches and athletes should work on improving? New research sheds some light and reveals some surprising answers to this questions. Mark Cullen is a successful age group triathlete a coach and one half of the co-hosting duo of the Endurance Icons podcast. He talks to me about all of this and along with t...

In this episode: During allergy season many use antihistamine medications as a means of controlling their symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that there may be a cost to this practice in the form of decreased endurance performance. On the Medical Mailbag we look at the evidence. Jonathan Su is a long time physical therapist who has written a book that he promises can be a 6-minute solution to kne...

In this episode: Ginseng is a root purported to have myriad beneficial properties making its use widespread in Chinese medicine and across the far east. Recently, a listener asked if this traditional remedy might also have benefits for athletes? On the Medical Mailbag, we dig in to the evidence for and against. Dr. Jim Taylor is a PhD in psychology and has worked with many professional and high le...

In this episode: Strength training is advocated for by coaches all the time in order to mitigate injury and improve endurance performance but finding scientific evidence to support these claims has been difficult. A new study gives some insight on the performance aspect and we look at it in the Medical Mailbag. Triathletes can take their selfish pursuit to extremes and put their relationships at r...

In this episode: I first looked at pneumatic compression boots back in episode 3 in 2019. Has there been any research published since then to suggest that my original recommendation has changed? We look at new research in this episode's Medical Mailbag. Plus, an interview with busy entrepreneur, mom and podcaster Doien Morin Van Dam. Her ability to keep many balls in the air and be a success in ru...

In this episode: Gatorade Endurance is being replaced by Mortal Hydration on IM and 70.3 courses in North America this year. What does that mean for athletes who rely on products provided at aid stations for fueling and hydration? We look at this question in the Medical Mailbag along with special guest Alex Larson. Plus, a conversation with Tyler Pedersen. From college football player to overweigh...

In this episode: Turmeric lends a bright color and savory flavor to curries and other foods. For many centuries it has also been used as a natural remedy for most everything that ails you. Recently this spice has been advocated as a miracle anti-inflammatory cure by makers of supplements who sell versions of this root in powders and capsules. But what does the science say and is there a use for th...

In this episode: Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are advertised as a kind of booster fuel that can provide rapidly available and abundant energy during long training sessions or races. A fair amount of science has been done looking at whether or not this is true and on the Medical Mailbag we bring you the answers. Erin Rosen and Michaela Robertson are nurses, friends, runners and running coaches...

In this episode: Does a nightcap interfere with sleep and recovery? We know that alcohol can be deleterious to training but what are its impacts on sleep? Plus, Nick Klingensmith found redemption for hard living through endurance sport and now tells anyone who will listen that they can do the same. Segments: [09:23]- Medical Mailbag: Alcohol and sleep [t29:39] - Interview: Nick Klingensmith Links...

In this episode: Extract of the bark of the maritime pine tree is thought to provide a host of potential benefits to health measures including some that extend to endurance sport. A new product aims to bring this substance to triathletes and is being backed by none other than the Norwegian duo of Iden and Blumenfeldt through their Santara Tech initiative. But does Plasmaide deliver on any of the l...

In this episode: When is it ok to train through illness and how should you adapt your training when recovering from a malady? We look at several common ailments and discuss if it is safe to train through, whether you should rest up instead and how you should return to training afterwards. Cristina M Ramirez is a three time Ironman and best selling author. We talk about how she teaches growth minds...

In this episode: Cycling carbohydrates so that you train with low glycogen levels was once thought to be a viable strategy for getting real benefits in endurance performance. This strategy has come in to question with more recent scientific research. On this episode's medical mailbag we take a look and see what the latest data suggests about this concept. Plus, neuroscientist Dr. Daya Grant stops...

In this episode: Magnesium is the latest supplement to be advertised as a panacea for all that ails triathletes. Can it really do everything that the makers of Pillar, a powdered drink form of the element, promise? On this episode's medical mailbag, we take a look at the science. Plus, an interview with age grouper Mark Evans. The former submariner survived a terrible collision with an intoxicated...

In this episode: Often referred to as the fourth discipline in triathlon, nutrition remains a source of confusion for many athletes. I have discussed nutrition across many episodes with many guests but I felt like it was time to bring together a couple of experts and dedicate an entire episode to this weighty topic. Alex Larson and Celine Evans are both multisport athletes with nutrition coaching...

In this episode: Long Run Coffee claims to be coffee with a purpose-to help start your day and your run off right by adding a dose of electrolytes to everyone's favorite morning beverage. There are a host of other claims and we wanted to know if any of them are backed up by science so we take a look on this episode's Medical Mailbag. Dave Lowry is an age group triathlete from Perth, Australia who...

In this episode: The holidays always pose significant challenges for endurance athletes and on the Medical Mailbag this episode Coach Juliet and I share our hacks for doing your best to stick to your plan for multisport success while still enjoying all of the best things that the holidays offer. Plus, an interview with strength and conditioning coach Jason Curtis. Jason has an incredibly active an...

In this episode: NAD+ is an important co-factor in many biochemical processes in our cells including the metabolism of glucose. There is research that suggests that as we age we may develop a deficiency of it and that supplementation might help with performance. We review the science. Gustavo Cadena Schlam is an engineer and the inventor of the Omius headband cooling device. We discuss how it work...

In this episode: What injuries are most common while training for an Ironman and how can they be avoided? How often do athletes present to the medical tent at an IM event and what problems are they going with? On the Medical Mailbag we review recent research that explores a wealth of data to answer those questions. Plus, an interview with national cycling champion and self-described aero geek Heat...

In this episode: Ozempic and Wegovy, both trade names of the drug semaglutide have led a kind of weight loss revolution because of the success patients who use them have had in dropping and keeping off weight. The mechanism by which this drug works does have some consequences for any multisport athletes who use or are considering using it and so on the medical mailbag we look at this drug and what...

In this episode: The Dream Recovery is a piece of tape that you apply over your mouth at night to promote nose breathing and promises to improve sleep quality, recovery and a host of other processes. Is there anything to these claims? We take a look. Plus, a conversation with writer, coach and developer of the nutrition app Saturday Morning, Dr. Alex Harrison. Segments: [08:38]- Medical Mailbag: D...

In this episode: Tart cherry juice was all the rage at the Vuelta a Espana last month. Is there any evidence to support its use and if so, what are the benefits of using it? Coach Juliet Hochman and I look at this beverage in the Medical Mailbag. Plus, an interview with Coach Jen Rulon. A former multiple time Ironman athlete, Jen has slowed down and is living large in beautiful Costa Rica where sh...

In this episode: Record breaking temperatures across the northern hemisphere this past summer are more than likely a harbinger of what is to come as climate change becomes more and more a feature of our lives. How to manage training and racing in the heat will become vital to staying healthy and to finding success. In the medical mailbag coach Juliet Hochman and I discuss some novel ways to hack y...

In this episode: Cooler temperatures brings colder water for open water swimming. With that comes the risk of hypothermia. What happens to the body when we get cold and how can we prevent the worst complications of lower core temperatures? Are there ways that we can adapt to the cold in order to better resist the dangers? I go over the science with Juliet Hochman in the medical mailbag. Then, an i...