You only need a blood test if you have symptoms such as fatigue or slow recovery. Athletes should get tested before they develop symptoms. Typically, by the time you feel the impact of unsatisfactory biomarker levels, your body likely has been performing below its potential for a while, and you’ll Read more…
There are two hormones that get thrown under the bus all the time: insulin and cortisol. Neither of these is bad; we need them to be healthy and successful athletes. Their bad rap comes from being misunderstood. So in this blog post, we’ll set the record straight on cortisol. What Read more…
We’ve all heard it doesn’t exactly offer an athletic edge, but how bad is drinking alcohol for athletic training, performance, and recovery? Alcohol has different effects on men and women so after some general information, I also share sex-specific insights.
Depending on where you live in the US, you may or may not get a whiff of marijuana while you’re out and about. The legal status of this common drug is state-dependent in the eyes of the government but not sports associations. Whole cannabis is currently prohibited in competition by Read more…
Liquid vs. powder collagen for athletes: pros, cons, and which is better? Liquid collagen is making a splash on the collagen scene. You may have seen ads or know a friend using it, but is it really any different, and is it worth the money for athletes? So which is better? Read more…
How to overcome a fear of needles? The first time I had my blood drawn I was in high school. Gray’s Anatomy was my favorite show at the time so in full doctor mode, I wanted to watch my blood draw. I saw the phlebotomist insert the needle and the Read more…
Iron Basics Athletes are notorious for having low iron levels, especially endurance athletes. But what if your ferritin is high? Although it’s not nearly as common, it does happen and it’s important to have your ferritin levels checked periodically to make sure you’re not too high or low, both of Read more…
Sometimes taking a rest day is the toughest part of the week. It feels like everyone else is out training while you’re stuck at home twiddling your thumbs. It turns out that your recovery day is one of the most important days of the week and essential for health and Read more…
It’s not in your head Ladies, it’s not in your head- your physiology, training, and nutrition needs change throughout the month. It’s time to leverage this information to work smarter, not harder, for better results. The science related to training around the menstrual cycle is emerging, yet very exciting. Ending underrepresentation Read more…
You don’t have to skip your workout if you get your blood drawn. Have some food and a drink (not that kind of drink) and wait at least an hour before doing your workout.