The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

In this episode: Vitamin C has been advocated as a means to boost immunity and stave off colds as well as an anti-oxidant that can help prevent cell damage. Some athletes and coaches have felt that taking this vitamin can help with endurance performance as well. What does the research say? Plus, a conversation with the volunteer coordinator of the Boulder 70.3 race, Jen Szabo. Hear what it takes t...

In this episode: So called super shoes have been all the rage since they were first released back in 2016. These running shoes with high tech foam and a carbon fiber footplate embedded in the sole have proven to be significantly faster across all distances and have been worn by elites and age groupers in track and field, running events and multisport. Recently, research has emerged that raises the...

In this episode: More and more, researchers are coming to understand how significant a role our gut has in many wide ranging physiologic processes. One important reason for that may have to do with the gut microbiome. What is the gut microbiome and how does it impact our health? How does diet affect the microbiome and what is the relationship between the microbiome and endurance exercise performan...

In this episode: Cardiovascular health deteriorates for women rapidly after menopause but new research suggests that much of the impact of the loss of sex hormones can be mitigated by regular exercise. While training throughout life seems to be the most beneficial, starting around menopause can also be very helpful. On the medical mailbag we discuss the latest findings and have a special guest to...

In this episode: Is chocolate milk really all it's cracked up to be as the 'best drink for recovery'? And what is really meant by recovery in this context anyways?? Plus, a conversation with the founder and CEO of Humango, Eric Abecassis. Eric has developed an AI based platform to help athletes and coaches motivate and plan for the best training possible to achieve their goals. Segments: [08:41]-...

In this episode: Men and women differ in many ways and recent research has suggested that one of these may be in how they need to hydrate during sporting activities. Menstruating women start out better hydrated than men and appear to lose less fluid than their male counterparts meaning that different genders may want to consider different hydration strategies. Coach Juliet Hochman and I discuss in...

In this episode: Inflammation is poorly understood and yet a vital response to illness and injury. Unchecked it is also a cause of myriad chronic diseases. Recent research has also linked a heightened inflammatory state to aging suggesting a concept of inflammaging. So what is the inflammatory response and how concerned should we be with trying to control it? Plus, an interview with professional t...

In this episode: The recent doping scandal has rocked triathlon and made many question if the sport is as clean as they think. I review the science on what agents dopers use, whether or not they actually improve performance and the shocking numbers of age group athletes that admit to using some form of banned substance in order to get an edge. Plus, an interview with the founder and owner of Varlo...

In this episode: The ketogenic diet is not a great idea for endurance athletes but some of the theoretical benefits of ketones as fuel are enticing. Supplemental ketones have been used by professional cyclists for some time now, is there any evidence to suggest this is a viable strategy for triathletes? Plus, a conversation with the co-executive director of First Bourne, a new company that offers...

In this episode: The dangers of open water swimming are well documents but many also claim that open water swimming made them sick. Is this possible? If so then what can we do to decrease our risks and what should we be watching out for? Plus a conversation with the executive director of the USAT Foundation Thomas Lenneberg. He shares with me the Foundation's history, its mission and some of the g...

In this episode: Stress has long been known to be an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality. How psychological stress translates to physical disease has not been well understood though. New research suggests a mechanism for this connection and suggests how regular exercise may serve as a buffer of sorts, decreasing the impac...

In this episode: Science is not static and as new papers come out it is worthwhile revisiting previous topics to see if any of my previous conclusions should be updated. On this episode I look at newer research on topics previously covered in several different episodes to see if I should revise what I concluded at that time. Specifically, cold water immersion, platelet rich plasma injections, bica...

In this episode: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a very common mood disorder in the northern hemisphere experienced during the fall and winter months by as many as 5% of the population who live there. What role does exercise and physical activity play in managing the symptoms and can exercise be helpful in preventing this problem? I review the evidence. Plus, an interview with multiple Ironma...

In this episode: Listeners have questions and I have answers! On this episode I answer listener questions about whether or not stretching is beneficial and on how to approach injuries with respect to recovery and rehabilitation. Plus, an interview with Canadian Olympian and now professional triathlete Matt Sharpe. Segments: [05:42]- Stretching/Injury Rehab [20:07] - Interview: Matt sharpe Links Li...

In this episode: Much has been said about how female reproductive hormones can play a role in women's ability to train and race and most of what has been said has come from one woman. The reality though is the evidence paints a very different picture than what too many women have been sold as what to expect. I look at the latest in a growing body of evidence to question the dogma that women should...

In this episode: After Chelsea Sodaro won the Ironman World Championships there was a lot of talk about how extraordinary her accomplishment was given that she was a fairly new mother. While her accomplishment WAS indeed amazing should we be surprised that a woman could do that after having a baby? There is some scientific evidence on this question and I look at what it has to say on this matter....

In this episode: Garmin wearables measure all kinds of data whenever you wear them and then process that data through various algorithms to present users with composite metrics on training and health. For many, how these are derived and what they mean is very much a mystery while for others they can be a source of consternation especially when your watch tells you that a perfectly good workout was...

In this episode: We know that exercise is good for our health and well being but can too much of a good thing be...not so good? Research has begun to show that in older individuals, the benefits of exercise may diminish after a threshold of volume and intensity is surpassed and a new paper has found that even among elite athletes in their twenties, too much training at too high an intensity might...

In this episode: Side stitch can be the bane of runners everywhere but what causes it and how to prevent it remains very much a mystery. recent evidence suggests that a possible issue may actually be in your head, specifically related to stress levels. On this episode I review the science of what is known about this painful annoyance as well as this recent research on how anxiety and stress might...

In this episode: Social media is the great unifier and the great disruptor of our times. It's effects on individuals and societies continue to be reckoned with but does social media use impact athletic performance? A growing body of evidence would seem to suggest so. I review what is known. Plus, a conversation with American professional triathlete Tim O'Donnell. Tim recovered from an unfathomable...

In this episode: Is there an association between endurance sports and poor oral health? Do all of the sugary drinks and gels combine to put athletes at risk for cavities and gum disease? Dr. Ian Needleman is an oral surgery professor in London, England and an ultra runner and he joins me to discuss this topic in the medical segment. Plus, Jim Vance has a well deserved reputation as one of the best...

In this episode: In the second part of a two-part series, I sit down as the interviewee on my own podcast. For the first part I spoke about my history in multisport and for this part I answer questions about how I manage to keep all the balls in the air that I have going at any one time. I am an emergency physician, a dad, husband, triathlon coach and a successful triathlete at both the full and h...

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: Climate change was supposed to be a long drawn out process but its effects seem to be coming fast and furious. One of the main contributors to its development is seemingly becoming worse as a result of this global emergency and that is air pollution. More and more research links air pollution to disease and mortality and a new paper shows how it can impact athletic performance spe...

In this episode: In episode 98 I reviewed the science underpinning the claims being made by the makers of the CORE temperature sensor that purports to improve performance by virtue of allowing improved heat acclimation and heat training. In this episode I revisit the CORE with an update after speaking to some of the team behind it as well as some who are using it. I am not really in a better posit...