Valley to Peak Nutrition Podcast

Welcome back to the Valley to Peak Nutrition Podcast. In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back a crowd favorite for her fourth appearance on the show: endurance coach and writer, Chantelle Robitaille. If you’ve been a long-time listener, you know Chantelle's previous episode on Zone 2 training remains our most downloaded and listened-to episode of all time. Today, we dive into a topic that...

Between the ages of 30 and 60, biology dictates that we naturally lose anywhere from 3% to 8% of our muscle mass per decade—a number that accelerates even faster once we cross the age of 60. But does that mean trying to improve your performance or build strength in your 30, 40s, 50s, or 60s is a waste of time? Spoiler: Nope! In this special bonus episode of the Valley to Peak Nutrition podcast, we...

This episode is a comprehensive nutrition Q&A designed to help hikers, hunters, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts optimize their fuel and achieve their fitness goals. In the first half of the episode, we address specific listener struggles and do a deep-dive into the logistics of DIY trail food dehydration, navigating weight loss within family-style dinners, and smart workarounds for tight...

Zone 2 training is often labeled as “fat burning,” but what does that actually mean in real-world performance? Should athletes, hunters, and endurance enthusiasts be eating more fat during long efforts? Or is the body primarily relying on stored energy systems regardless of what you eat? In this episode of the Valley to Peak Nutrition Podcast, we break down one of the most misunderstood concepts i...

  In this episode, Kyle sits down with Marshal Whitaker of Argali Outdoors . Marshal’s story is a fascinating look at what happens when elite endurance goals meet a newfound dedication to metabolic science. Having recently conquered a 50K ultra marathon while losing 30lbs, Marshal is now shifting his sights to the bodybuilding stage. Episode Highlights The "Busy" Factor: Why staying active is Mars...

Why does weight loss stall even when you count your drinks? Plus, the truth about fasted cardio and staying active in your 70s. Let’s dive in! Episode Summary: In this listener Q&A episode, we tackle the nuance of nutrition that goes beyond simple "calories in vs. calories out." We discuss why alcohol can halt weight loss despite a calorie deficit , whether fasted cardio actually burns more fa...

In a world where "optimization" is the new standard, where is the line between healthy hormones and chasing a number? In this episode, we sit down with Dyllon Sanford of Henderson Family Medicine to break down the state of men’s health in 2026. We explore why testosterone levels are dropping in younger men, how to accurately read your lab results (Total vs. Free T), and the critical difference bet...

Check out more from Valley to Peak Nutrition here ! - - - - - "If today’s deep dive into mastering your 'Trail Q&A'—from navigating lower protein intakes to staying fueled for those grueling nine-day expeditions—helped you rethink your backcountry strategy, we’d love to stay connected. Head over to our search page for our a full list of options and reviews to learn more. If you’re finding valu...

Think your best life is behind you once over the hill? Becki Honner is here to prove otherwise. At 45 and a mom of four, Becki was told that "age and hormones" were the new bosses of her biology. She decided not to listen. Instead, she teamed up with us to be at a composition she envisioned and hit performance peaks she hadn't seen in years. In this episode, we’re dispelling the midlife excuses an...

We're back from a ton of travel and being a part of Toughsheep and Touchback in Reno and SLC.  We have had a ton of questions about how to fuel for events like this, so we dive into that in this episode.  We also cover products worth keeping your eye out for that are releasing soon and how to not get confused by ALL the supplement companies at shows like this.  - - - - - Roughridge Stove MTNTOUGH...

I sit down with the founder of Neve, Nora Fierman to chat all things about opening a small business, time in the backcountry, and why smoothies are the wave of the future for fueling backcountry adventures.   - - - - - Find Nora and Neve here .  More from Valley to Peak. 

Grab your carbohydrate fueling guide download here .  Check out other resources (and our revamped website) here .  More from Summit Strength here . 

Thanks for listening!  Check out more from V2P here .  - - - - -  Ellyn Satter Division of Responsibility Andy Galpin on Training and Movement in Kids

FAQ: Sharing a summary + my thoughts on the new dietary guidelines- which are quite the shift from we had previously had.  We also check out questions on:  Is HIIT better for fat loss than zone 2 cardio? Are there lower thresholds for carbs, fats, or proteins that we should avoid? Will creatine alone build a bigger muscle? Dietary guideline information for you to look at.  Research on Z2 vs HIIT. ...

We're tackling a few topics this time:  A huge thanks to you for getting us to 100K downloads.  How to set goals with a VERY simple framework. Q&A on if we take HSA, if we require paid-in-full programs, and more.  Link to our free guide.  Link to our quadrant planner. 

Chris Cage of Greenbelly meals sits down to chat all things backpacking food and nutrition with me today.  You'll hear about how he got started, why, and where he thinks the future of backpack nutrition is headed.   We dive into some rapid fire Q&A and talk about a project we worked on together that will be released soon.  Check out Greenbelly's YouTube channel here .  Future link of our elect...

The Five Things We Did: JC spent just shy of 4 months focused on his nutrition with one goal: see if it could change the current course of his health.  You'll hear his perspective, tips, advice and exactly what we did during that time together.  - - - -  Check out more resources, podcast, and other things to help in your journey at V2P!

-How much does exercise contribute to calorie needs? -What’s a DEXA scan (and what’s good to know in the results?) -What exactly is a “healthy relationship” with food? Are you there? -Is there a 1:1 calorie intake vs burn effect to create energy equilibrium? - - - - - - Valley to Peak Nutrition Resources, Info, and Freebies

Topics covered:  Are oral GLP-1s as effective as injectables? What's the deal with the new report on protein powders containing lead? Should I worry about not having carbs with my protein after a workout? Are energy drinks really killing my gains in the gym and workouts? Consumer Report on protein powders Podcast with Dyllon Sanford on GLP-1-Part 1.  European Food Safety Authority

Creatine is arguably the most popular supplement on the planet right now.   When you ask, people have heard they should take it, but they're not quite sure why, what it does, how it works, or if it even really works at all for that matter.    We look to explore some of that and get answers in this episode.  - - - - - Creatine in the backcountry (podcast) .  Creatine and other supplements in physic...

How important is variety in the diet?  I tend to eat alot of the same things every day.  How important is nutrient timing when it relates to protein intake?  Does protein quality matter? “I tore my hamstring while water skiing this summer.  Should I be eating more protein while I’m doing my PT work?  What about amino acides or BCAA?   I LOVE ice cream, but it kills my intake.  What are three ways...

Your body shivering is an automatic response for survival as it contracts your muscle to generate heat when thrown into a particularly cold environment.     The energy demand is high. The currency of that cost is calories.    I wanted to know just WHAT happens, WHY, and if we’re able to fix it in the field.     Who better to discuss the topic than Mr. John Barklow himself? ---- Knowledge from Stor...

This week we look at four practical things you can do to recover and stay strong for a season- be it training or hunting.  We talk about whether you should carb load or not before a big hunt and give some updates on what’s to come throughout the fall.    Podcast with Rokslide and Jordan Budd Our Prep and Recovery Nurition Guide (Free) Our DIY at-home electrolyte mix  

We held a live backcountry nutrition Q&A in mid-July and folks showed up big time with great questions!  This is the recording from that session.    To check out the resources we highlight in the episode, you can check out Valley to Peak Nutrition website. 

What happens when you head to the mountains to hunt elk for eight days in physically demanding terrain?  I knew in theory what happens, but wanted to hear Cory's first hand experience and the details behind his experience and project: Destination Elk.    Destination Elk Link Series Elk 101 Resources and information Valley to Peak Resources