Valley to Peak Nutrition Podcast

Science is ever-evolving. The science of nutrition is not immune to this.  The worst thing someone who studies nutrition can do is plant their feet so firmly on an idea that they're unwilling to hear how it might've changed over the years.  I'm not immune to that.    Mark and I cover three things that we've both changed our minds on over the last five years when it comes to the topic of nutrition....

This week I’m joined by Brian Barney.    You'll hear one theme come up time and again in this podcast: operating optimally on nothing more than the bare minimums.  Minimum time, minimum intel, minimum resources, yet still making it work.  I couldn’t think of a better person to invite on the podcast and learn from…plus he’s one of the genuinely best dudes on the planet.    Topics we look at:  Heari...

Words like processed foods, inflammation, and seed oils are thrown around daily in articles and social media.  But, what do they really mean?  Are they as big of a concern as is suggested in the 30-second reels we see each day?  We cover more topics this week as we look at: processed food seed oils saturated fat inflammation antioxidant Questions?  Email us at info@v2pnutrition.com .  Interested i...

Words like GMO, organic, additives, and preservatives are thrown around daily about the topic of nutrition.  Most of us make our purchasing decisions based off of them, but do we really know what they mean?  This is a two part series to break these down and look at definitions and separate fact from fiction. 

We’re joined by Neil Bangs of the BSU Human Performance lab to talk about what tests are actually worth getting, what to do with the information it gives, and how approachable they really can be.  (Includes coneration about the basics behind VO2 Max tests, DEXA, Lactate, etc.).    BSU Human Performance Lab Valley to Peak Resources

Physical demands in the mountains can be quite extreme.  Factors like a heavy pack, varying terrain type, heat, weather, smoke, and elevation can wear anyone out.  What's the best way to be resistant to exhaustion in these conditions?  You train for it...   Dr. Brent Ruby joins us again in part two to cover this very topic.  Dr. Ruby's first episode.  Wildland fire nutrition article.  Learn more a...

Nutrition demands in the mountains are extreme.  Add factors like a heavy pack, varying terrain type, heat, weather, smoke, and you can wind up with nutrition needs that seem more like the calculation for an atoms potential than a calorie calculation.    Luckily for us, Dr. Brent Ruby spent more than 25 years studying this to help us understand exactly how it works.  He joints us for two parts- on...

You asked.  We answered.  What about white meat?  Do the same premises apply? How about vegetables?  I love grilled veggies, but are the risks the same? Is there an idea ration of red meat, white meat, and fish we should be aiming for in a week? How do you make your own jerky if you don't use nitrates? We typically make brats and summer sausage with our meat- is that ok or how do you process yours...

The 2024 Exo Mtn Gear Death Hike of the Grand Canyon's iconic rim-to-rim-to-rime is in the books.    We recap the hike, nutrition, how we changed out training- and a host of other topics.    Marks Food List Kyle's Food List Fueling When You Don't Feel Like It Guide  

“I recently watched a documentary suggesting that meat is the source of all health issues- should I stop hunting?”   This was a question we had on the documentary “What the Health”.  We looked at the main points in the documentary to determine what parts are completely false, what’s not the full story- and what part has some valid points.    Check out other Valley to Peak resources at: Valley to P...

Mike and I continue our conversation this week in part two of the listener Q&A.  In this, we dive into a host of topics that will help give answers to questions you may have had about for peak performance on and off the trails.  We look at: Why aiming for calorie-density for trail nutrition is a waste of time.   Backcountry nutrition strategies and differences from home nutrition. We explore h...

Over 75% of the Valley to Peak audience is men- a huge following.  So, why in the world would I choose to do an episode ‘for the ladies?  Because many of you have told the women in your life about Valley to Peak (thank you!).     We also started to see that many of the women we talked to all had the same questions...the same goals...and the same struggles.  Who better to filter those questions thr...

"You said the concerns with artificial sweeteners are overrated...how is that possible?"   Part 1: I'm joined by a listen of the show- Mike Tennant- to talk through something I said WAY back in Episode 34.  In this, we tackle ALL things related to artificial sweaters.    Why did I make that comment? What does science say about them? Why does it seem like everyone who eats them is overweight if the...

"I didn't want to be a dad who couldn't keep up w/ his kids." This is all about taking your life back and some practical steps to do it.  Jack Lander joins me this week to share his awesome story of what woke him up to make changes in his life that let to an 80lb weight loss, find running, and an entirely different mindset.  --- Jacks contact information -- More resources from Valley to Peak 

"I'm not sure it can be as miserable as the earlier ones because of all the lessons we've learned over the years..."   Our friends Mark and Steve from Exo Mtn Gear join us to talk through just what those lessons are.     Check out the recap of the last 10 years in this journal article from Exo.    Learn more about the food + gear Mark and I took on the AK death hike in the links below.    Mark's G...

"I wake up crazy early to exercise and have no time to eat beforehand...suggestions?" "I'm not a mountain climber...will your program even work for me?" Collagen.  Nutrition at altitude.  -- Lindsay joins me this week to tackle your questions on the first QA of 2024! -- Check out Valley to Peak Nutrition resources.

Most people don't lack motivation, believe it or not.  They lack a plan.  -- They're willing to invest the time, but knowing what to invest the time in is the #1 many folks derail good intentions by the second week in February.  -- In this episode we cover three key things in developing a plan that will actually work for you this year.  I'm joined by Chantelle from Uphill Athlete for segments of i...

What a year!  We wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to you, first and foremost.  Second, we wanted to give you an idea of what's coming in 2024 and have the first chance if you're interested.  Finally, we end with a listener who reaches his goal.  This is an extension of the podcast we started with Ken H from earlier in the year when he asked me "what do you mean this is 'so simple'?"...

Dave, like many folks who reach out to Valley to Peak, wanted to lose a few pounds and have better physical capabilities in the mountains.  However, it was two other goals that really drove his motivation.  One of these was a really small patch of aspens above his house.  There wasn't anything particularly special about these aspens beyond the things that propels nearly all of us to go seek advent...

Most of us will sit down to watch the Lions get smoked tomorrow after a belly-full of turkey.  Most of us will also doze off without any recollection of who won the coin toss or possession that followed.   This shouldn't be what you experience the other 364 days per year, yet it's exactly what many folks complain of.    Paul joins me this week as we explore how to better manage this and ensure it...

"I want to enjoy the celebrations with friends and family, but I don’t want to do it SO much that I find myself having to make a ton of ground up by the first of the year..."   Sound familiar?  You wouldn't be alone if so...   It’s a great question and one we’ve built a strategy for that we outline here.  We also tackle questions like:  Why does the weight go up so much after 1 meal?”  Is there re...

Josh ran the WY East 50K & Standhope 30K in 2023.   In spite of dominating one race and executing the SAME nutrition plan on the second, he had entirely different outcomes.  This podcast is the result of us talking through why, what happened...and how to fix it.  I have heard your body uses water to digest a meal.  If so, how long does that process take?  Could this have contributed to my cram...

AJ was, by most standards, the first V2P client and started his journey in May of 2019.  In this episode, AJ shares his experience (and insights) from losing and maintaining his weight + performance nearly 5 years ago.    Questions you want covered?  Email us at Valley to Peak Interested in Resources?  Check out the Valley to Peak Website

“I read about all of these supplements, teas, and things that are supposed to increase my metabolism.  Do they work or is there anything that would?”     In the second part we tackle, what proved to be, a tough question for me: "I know you’re a big fan of tracking, but what if I don’t want to?  Are there any lessons or tips you’ve learned over the years that would help someone achieve their goal w...

The second part looks at: What’s the minimum effective dose we SHOULD be aiming for What about all the age-old wives tales with nutrition?  What’s true and what’s not?  Can I have eggs or can’t I?  What about butter?  What about meat? What IS a good dose for exercise? Is there a consequence to doing NO exercise at all? And of course- what role does nutrition play in heart health? Resources Referen...