Hicham El Guerrouj: The Most Talented, Most Focused, and Best Trained Athlete of All-Time?

I take you through the incredible story of Hicham El Guerrouj, the Moroccan middle-distance legend who was virtually unbeatable for nearly four years, only to face heartbreaking defeats at the Atlanta Olympics. I walk through the agony of those losses, the silver medal at 1500 meters, and the mental and physical toll of carrying the expectations of millions while chasing perfection. We get into how he used that disappointment to fuel one of the most remarkable comebacks in track history, leading up to the 2004 Athens Olympics where he finally won the gold—and not just in the 1500, but also the 5,000 meters, a feat not accomplished in 80 years. I break down the races, the strategies, and the legendary final laps where El Guerrouj “floored the gas pedal” and ran splits that would have qualified in an Olympic 800 meters. I also reflect on what his story taught me about dealing with setbacks, staying focused, and turning misfortune into motivation, drawing parallels to challenges we all face in our own training and lives. Along the way, we touch on the evolution of running technology, the rise of super spikes, and why El Guerrouj’s records still stand as some of the most impressive in the sport.   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Hicham El Guerrouj Instagram   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk about a couple of articles I saw recently about running in the heat—about heat acclimation and endurance training—that honestly kind of rubbed me the wrong way. So alert runners: we need to have a talk about this. I start by reading an excerpt from one of these popular running websites and unpacking some of the flawed assumptions behind this kind of messaging. You’ll hear me break down why the obsession with suffering—grinding through extreme conditions, chasing bigger mileage, and pushing your body to the limit—has become so normalized in endurance culture, and how that mindset can quietly lead to overtraining, burnout, and hormone dysfunction. I also share a more sensible approach to building heat tolerance and aerobic fitness that honors health, balance, and long-term consistency.   TIMESTAMPS: Brad talks about some of the "running in heat" articles he has read, and points out some disagreements he has with those articles. [01:06] The compelling argument that for the vast majority of recreational runners, running is a very bad idea. [04:00] The popular modality of high intensity interval training, by and large is conducted in an ill-advised manner in workouts that last too long and are significantly too stressful for the vast majority of participants. [06:05] If you stop sweating, you know you are close to heat stroke. [15:19] There's no justification to go out there and stick it to yourself in heat preparation. [22:09] Even though Brad is talking about the danger of racing in the heat, he understands the need to do it. [24:03] If you're running in the heat, but you're totally oblivious to how hot you're getting, that can be a recipe for disaster. [33:35] Some of the world's best runners do not workout at top speed. [36:50] If you insist on performing the workout in a fatigue state, you are literally training your body to run slower because the central nervous system is protecting you. [45:57]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Primal Blueprint Fitness Pyramid Podcast with Hutchinson Podcast with Shelby Houlihan Shelby Houlihan Workout Wednesday Jay Feldman.com   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m so excited to welcome Sean Brosnan to the B.rad podcast! Sean is the author of Beyond Fast: How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance Running, written with Chris Lear and Andrew Grefe. And yes, it’s a book about running—about high school workouts, races, and championships—but it’s also so much more than that. In this episode, you’ll hear Sean break down how he coached some of the fastest high school distance runners in America, including strategies for teaching athletes to embrace the challenge of intense training, embrace discomfort, and push past perceived limits. He shares the thought process behind skipping traditional state meets to chase world-class opportunities, why mindset and belief can transform performance, and how he cultivates those breakthrough moments that turn talented athletes into record-breakers. We also dive into the realities of post-collegiate professional running: the struggles of sponsorship, building a pro training group, and creating a sustainable system that lets elite athletes thrive without being weighed down by financial stress. Along the way, Sean reveals his personal coaching philosophy, the influence of legendary mentors, and why connecting with athletes on a human level is often the difference between good and extraordinary performance. Whether you’re a runner, coach, or simply interested in peak performance and shattering self-limiting beliefs, this conversation is packed with insights, stories, and strategies that will inspire you to think bigger and train smarter. Sean Brosnan is the author of Beyond Fast: How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance Running, written with Chris Lear and Andrew Grefe. A two-time national high school coach of the year, he turned Newbury Park High School into a national powerhouse with multiple state and national championships. A native of Long Island, he began coaching as a volunteer at Queens University of Charlotte and now lives in Big Bear, California, where he coaches a professional running team. Follow him on Instagram @RealSeanBrosnan.   TIMESTAMPS: Sean says it's essential to stop placing limitations on ourselves. [03:05] What happened when Newbury Park headed out to Alabama for the national championship? [07:20] Newbury had multiple national championships, both boys and girls and JV. [11:46] On a team, you can be competitive, but you can also be happy for the others' successes. [17:48] Starting as a new coach in 2016, Sean brought the team to winning the State meet and on to Nationals in two years time. [22:41] A month training camp seemed to be what really worked. [24:03] How do you get better without running harder and breaking down, like the programs that grind these kids out? [26:33] There was a huge shift in the training schedule during COVID times. [33:18] There were people who criticized the program at Newbury Park. [34:59] There are many different ways to get to the final result that you want. [40:07] Why aren't there more programs like Sean's at Newbury Park? [44:51] Focus on the personal development of the athlete. [55:55] Everyone can do better. [59:07] What happens when Sean moves on to his next coaching position? [01:06:09] Nico Young 's progression has been sensational. [01:15:43] Sean can be contacted @realseanbrosnan on social media. [01:18:56]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Beyond Fast Instagram @realseanbrosnan   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this show, I share 40 mind-blowing assertions to recalibrate modern fitness philosophy, inspired by content in the book Born to Walk, written by me and Mark Sisson. Walking is universally health-boosting, delivers excellent aerobic conditioning, stabilizes energy, mood, and appetite, and carries near zero overuse injury risk. In contrast, endurance running—even at a comfortable pace—is too physically stressful for the vast majority of participants, promotes breakdown, burnout, and chronic injury, and is most likely bad for your health when done in the typical modern manner. You’ll hear why walking is a genetic expectation for health, why most endurance exercise should be conducted at or below your fat max heart rate, and how chronic cardio promotes stress hormone overproduction, suppressed immune function, and visceral fat storage. I also explain why elevated cushioned shoes enable poor running technique, drive injuries, and why recreational endurance running has only been possible in modern times because of them. Key points from this episode: Walking is universally health-boosting and delivers excellent aerobic conditioning with minimal risk Running is too strenuous and stressful for most participants; walking should be the baseline Fat max heart rate (180 minus age) is the true measure for energizing, fat-burning cardio Chronic cardio promotes overuse injury, stress hormone overproduction, suppressed immunity, and visceral fat Elevated cushioned shoes enable poor running technique and are the driver of chronic injury rates The most celebrated endurance events (marathon, Ironman) are antithetical to health and fueled by marketing hype Humans never ran for recreation until the modern running boom; ancestral movement was built on walking, strength, sprints, and play Learn more at BornToWalkBook.com, where you can also download the free PDF resource with all 40 assertions and more tools for building lifelong health.   TIMESTAMPS: For the vast majority of participants, running, even at a comfortable pace, is too physically stressful. [00:50] The vast majority of your training should be at a medium or perhaps brisk walk if you're really fit, with a minimal amount of anything faster because it elevates the heart rate too high and it's too strenuous. [04:34] Fat max heart rate represents the intensity at which you burn the maximum number of fat calories per minute. [06:27] If you cannot proceed faster than 14 minutes per mile while you're at your fat max heart rate, you should be walking, not running. [08:32] Maintaining muscle mass strength needs to be added to your bicycling, jogging, stiar climbing. Those simply aren't enough. [13:44] It's not about the calories burned, it's about the movement. [16:50] Running is catabolic. It breaks your body down and requires recovery while walking is anabolic, which means it sends the genetic signaling for efficient metabolic immune cognitive and endocrine function [24:54] Running on elevated shoes enables poor running technique. [30:25] When you're running barefoot, impact forces are similar whether the surface is hard or soft. [35:15] Chronic cardio can suppress immune function, promote chronic inflammation, compromise gut health and damage mitochondria. [37:50] The monotony of repetitive impact trauma and mental and physical suffering associated with steady state cardio can easily breed an obsessive addictive mentality. [43:08] Don't overdo the search for that endorphin rush. [46:12] Any homo sapiens genetic gifts for endurance are buried today under excess body fat, insufficient daily baseline activity, weak musculature and dysfunctional feet caused by a lifetime in shoes [53:50] Recreational runnung is a new thing. It has come about only by elevated cushioned shoes. [59:56]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Brad Kearns Cardio 2.0 Workout The Primal Blueprint Peluva YouTube   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The foremost health authority, the contrarian, and voice of reason is spouting this level of misinformation, so I think it deserves the acronym: A-Y-F-K-M. Dr. Layne Norton, internet health influencer and self-titled Truth Seeker and debunker, has delivered the single worst piece of fitness advice imaginable. There is no more potentially destructive message to convey besides telling people to push through fatigue, crappy workouts, and poor movement patterns. So inspired by the Debunker himself, I'm going after you. Layne Norton has a PhD in nutritional sciences, a background as a champion powerlifter and bodybuilder, and is known for debunking fitness misinformation and pseudoscience. But recently, he posted one of his many deadlift clips with the message that training is like investing in the stock market. He even detailed a week of “moving crappy,” “moving really crappy,” and being “happy” about grinding it out anyway.  Here’s what you will learn from this episode: Why pushing through fatigue and poor form is a recipe for injury, burnout, and attrition The flaws with the dated no pain, no gain mentality that simply won’t die  Exercise physiology insights: ATP, lactate, glycolysis, and aerobic energy systems  Why the anaerobic system requires extensive rest and recovery, not grinding through bad workouts  Technical failure versus pushing to failure, and why form matters most  Interesting science-based insights on the power of performing theatrics before a peak performance effort and why lighter weight and excellent form are the real win  Deadlifting dangers, proper technique, and why novices should get expert guidance Finally, you will hear about what you should do when experiencing symptoms of suboptimal recovery and the value of applying an intuitive approach—especially when it comes to times that you “just don’t feel like it” and what that feeling can signify (hint: it has to do with your emotions and your central nervous system).   TIMESTAMPS: Dr. Layne Nortron is known for debunking some of the science that is out there telling us what is good to eat. [01:03] Brad confronts one of Layne's posts about training and recovery.  Layne treats training like investing. [04:39] Elites manage their energy very carefully every single day, week, month of training. [10:02] ATP, the source for immediate explosive efforts lasting from zero to seven seconds, becomes completely exhausted after seven seconds [14:33] Working through crappy form and feeling horrible during your warmup is in direct opposition to how the anaerobic system develops. [20:59] Doug McGuff has come up with the Big Five Workout strategy, which you do only once a week that keeps you strong. [31:47] If you attempt to work through crappy form and low scores on the readiness-to-train scale, you are training the central nervous system to fire less explosively and teaching your brain to be able to left ledds weight. [35:38] Pavel Tsatsouline explains why he doesn't see the point of training to muscular failure. [38:37] Six sets of three is the same as three sets of six, but you get less tired. [40:45] Brad critiques Layne's analogy of exercising is like the stock market. [43:56] Performing theatrics before a peak performance effort actually does help prime the centtral nervous system for peak performance. [45:41] You want to preserve a straight and elongated spine with eveything you do in the gym. [50:06] Deadlifting is a random exercise and potentially dangerous. If you're novice, get that trusted expert for one-on-one instruction before you even try. [58:19] Beware of internet blather from influencers. [01:01:21] Always take what your body gives you each day and nothing more. [01:02:06]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Mike Scannell Podcast The Complete Guide to Running Shelby Houlihan Podcast Body by Science Big Five Workout Podcast with Doug McGuff Pavel Tsatsouline   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. John Douillard, a leading expert in Ayurvedic medicine and founder of LifeSpa.com. I read his book Body, Mind, and Sport about 20 years ago, and it was one of the first books I found that combined breath work and movement. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. John blends ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern science to help people achieve lasting health, vitality, and longevity. We talk about how aligning your diet and lifestyle with your dosha and the seasons can optimize gut health and detoxification. You’ll learn why today’s extreme wellness trends might work short-term but often miss the root causes of poor health. I discuss how nasal and diaphragmatic breathing techniques—practiced by elite athletes and used by Dr. John in his own triathlon training—can improve oxygen delivery, reduce stress, and open up the diaphragm. Dr. John explains that 91% of athletes don’t have a fully contracting and relaxing diaphragm because of excessive sitting, which keeps the diaphragm in a pre-contracted, rigid state. He walks us through a basic Ayurvedic breathing technique called DPR—breathing through the belly, chest, and upper chest while raising your arms—to fully engage and loosen the diaphragm. This breath work pumps the lymphatic system, clears toxins, and helps with brain health. We also cover the “bellows breathing” exercise, or “The One Minute Meditation,” a powerful technique to open the rib cage, increase energy, and enter a deep state of calm. This conversation cuts through the noise of trendy health advice, so if you want to reconnect with time-tested strategies rooted in Ayurveda that support long-term well-being, you don’t want to miss this show. Dr. John Douillard is a globally recognized expert in Ayurveda and the founder of LifeSpa.com—one of the world’s most trusted sources for evidence-based Ayurvedic healthcare. He’s authored seven books and over 1,500 articles, helping millions reverse aging and heal naturally. Dr. John began his Ayurvedic studies in India in 1986 and later partnered with Deepak Chopra to train Western doctors in Ayurvedic medicine. He also served as Director of Player Development for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and has applied Ayurvedic techniques to improve athletic performance, working with top athletes including Billie Jean King. Check out his website, www.lifespa.com, and explore his books—especially Body, Mind, and Sport, which explores how nasal breathing can enhance performance and reduce the stress of exercise.   TIMESTAMPS: Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. It is heavily practised throughout India and Nepal. We will learn much of this science as related to our diet and training. [00:58] It's not really the food that is causing the problem, it is your body's flawed internal detoxification processes. [04:07] It's easy for people now to disregard this ancient medicine, and think only modern science has credibility. [09:40] You can bring wheat and dairy back into your diet. Wheat is not the culprit. [11:42] The most common elective abdominal surgery in America today is having the gallbladder taken out because of the sludge that we eat. [17:14] We have done away with the seasonal pattern of eating. [21:10] The Ayurvedic philosophy looks at body types to see what really works for us. [24:09] More than diet, lifestyle preferences differ with these three different body types. [30:16] After taking a quiz on LifeSpa.com a person can get a better understanding of what their body needs. [38:02] We dump 70 million tons of toxic chemicals in our atmosphere every year in America according to the EPA, that filter down on everything we eat and breathe and drink. [41:50] Breathing correctly adds so much to your well-being. [45:49] How does one get started learning nasal breathing? [55:18]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes lifespa.com Dr. Douillard's LinkedIn Dr. Douillard's Facebook Instagram @lifespa Body, Mind and Sport Body, Mind, and Sport Eat Wheat The Three Season Diet The three body types   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the powerful role of friendship and connection in promoting physical, emotional, and even cognitive longevity. I sit down with longtime (40 years long!) friends Christy and Ana from the Girl, Can You Talk? podcast to explore their BOND method—Be Open, Offer Invitations, Nurture Consistency, and Deepen Through Vulnerability—a simple, intentional approach to building real relationships that help you live better, feel better, and not feel alone. This show is great if you want to learn more about how connection impacts your health, why friendships can be more than just brunch buddies, and how simple things like sending a voice memo or asking a friend, “have you been outside today?” can literally change someone’s day. You’ll hear relatable, heartwarming (and often hilarious) real-life stories about perimenopause, empty nest syndrome, and navigating one-sided friendships. Christy and Ana share how getting in front of people, even just once a week for coffee, can turn into something meaningful—and how just one close friend can make a life-changing difference. If you want practical tools, some good laughs, and an important reminder about the importance of building and maintaining social connections, this episode is for you!   TIMESTAMPS: Sometimes we forget that friendship and connection are very important to our overall health. [01:03] Having a society inundated with the internet has changed the way people relate. [07:07] Your relationships at 50 predict your health and longevity and happiness at 80 [10:39] B is for be open. O is for offer invitations. N is for nurture, consistency, and D is deepen through vulnerability. [13:11] Loneliness is the new smoking as far as damage is concerned. [15:45] You need to learn how to engage. [21:15] There are methodical steps one can take to learn how to engage with people. B is for be open. [24:00] O is for offering invitations without fear of rejection. Think about including someone with something you are already doing. [32:41] N is nurturing consistency through intentional habits. [40:49] Deepen your connection through vulnerability. [44:25] What if your friendship feels unbalanced.? You give more than you receive. [49:08] Be inquisitive.  You learn a lot that way. [54:56]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Girl, Can You Talk? Podcast Cactus to Clouds Hike   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Please enjoy a great conversation with my friend and sprinting mentor Cynthia Monteleone, coming to you all the way from the beautiful big island of Hawaii. A Team USA world champion sprinter, Cynthia is also a highly trained metabolic health analytics practitioner who coaches numerous Olympic athletes and world champion masters-level athletes, and she goes deep into the nuances of what delivers peak performance and helps people overcome health challenges to reach personal goals, especially weight loss and excelling in athletic goals. In this episode, Cynthia tells us why chronic cardio might actually be hurting your health—and how training like a sprinter can lead to better longevity, hormones, and overall energy. We discuss the important principles outlined in Born to Walk and get into the damage that can happen to the heart from excessive endurance exercise, how living in that black hole heart rate zone keeps your body in fight or flight, and why you might be storing more visceral fat or throwing off your thyroid just from overtraining. Cynthia shares some eye-opening examples, like a fit masters track athlete who started marathon training and ended up with a heart attack—and we explore how too much endurance training can lead to electrical signaling issues in the heart and chronic inflammation. We also push back on the grind-it-out mindset that’s become so common—where suffering and pain are glorified as signs of discipline. Instead, we highlight a more empowering, intelligent approach to fitness, based on sprinting, walking, lifting heavy things, and prioritizing recovery. This conversation is all about training smarter—not harder—for the long term.   TIMESTAMPS: Fitness people may need to rethink their idea of what is good for the body. [04:25] Brad talks about his participation in sports as a kid and his evolution into triathlon. It took a toll on his life. [06:48] As a parent coach for the kids, is it effective to push the kids hard to teach them life's lessons? [10:38] What are the lessons to be learned from this crazy running boom that we've had where people think that when they turn 40, they should run a marathon? [17:22] Why do people think it is hard to sprint? [18:52] What is the best way to balance your exercise regimen? [25:53] A combination of walking and sprinting is preferable to steady state cardio. [33:12] You can exercise the heart too much. [40:10] There's a disconnect between mental strength and hurting yourself. [47:38] All your training and all your fitness endeavors have to factor into the same equation as all the other forms of stress in your life. [51:06] Is your training making you feel empowered or tired? [59:48]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Brad's Podcast with Cynthia Monteleone Fast Over Forty MAM 808.org   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I go through my deep and fascinating experience with the Stride health optimization program. You'll hear me walk through the six detailed reports from my DNA and microbiome testing—starting with the methylation report, where I had impaired efficiency in the folate cycle, methionine cycle, and BH4 cycle, and finally got a normal score in the transsulfuration pathway. I talk about the role of key nutrients like B vitamins, choline, magnesium, and zinc, and how specific gene variants like MTHFR affect my ability to methylate, detox, and produce neurotransmitters efficiently. I also share my microbiome results—including a 93 out of 100 for diversity—along with some areas for concern like low serotonin and dopamine, which matched my long-standing results from the Braverman neurotransmitter questionnaire. You’ll hear about the consultation I did with Bianca from Stride, how she helped interpret the results, and the personalized supplement stack they created for me based on everything. Then I wrap it all up by pulling up years of blood test data, going through my male hormone panel, fasting insulin, and cortisol patterns, and why I don’t stress over red-flagged total cholesterol. This is a detailed breakdown of how genetics, gut health, and blood markers come together—and how Stride helps make sense of it all through one powerful platform.   TIMESTAMPS: This show takes you through amazing package of benefits and information that you get when you sign up for personal health optimation. [00:51] Stride combines DNA test results, gut microbiome testing. and blood tests. [06:22] Gathering this information, you see your likelihood and your propensities for certain elevated dietary needs. [08:19] Brad demonstrates, with his own use of this service, how it applies to his dietary needs. For example, he talks about the need for vitamins B6 and D. [11:09] Beyond the 60th parallel, the human is not able to synthesize vitamin D at all because the sun's rays are never intense enough to trigger that tanning, [18:01] There is a tendency for middle aged men who are otherwise healthy, athletic and fit to develop sludgy blood with too much iron. [21:01] There is a large concern for females for iron deficiency. [22:23] Lactose intolerance is a term we hear often. [24:41] Is there a difference in how breads and grains affect the body? [26:02] In the fitness portion of the report, Brad found that he has a mix in his muscle fiber composition between power and endurance. [29:58] What are you doing with your training and do you have any genetic information to help? [38:43] Recovery efficiency is also measured with these tests. [39:46] Your genes have much to do with your skin.  [41:02] Humans and all other living things on earth are highly calibrated to circadian rhythm. [46:06]Genes affect methylation. [54:34] It is important to cross reference your blood test and you genetic and miocrobiome testing. Looking at LDL cholesterol is not a great predictor of heart disease. [01:03:56] It's important to test male hormones. [01:09:33]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Get Stride — Save 10% with the code BRAD. Ultra Lab Test.com The Carnivore Code The Primal Blueprint B.rad Nutrition Guide   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I take a hard look at the glorification of obsessive training habits in elite sport, using Michael Phelps’ famous claims—like eating 10,000 calories a day and not missing a single day of training for six straight years—as a springboard for discussion. You’ll learn how research from top performance labs has shown that these types of extreme regimens aren’t just unsustainable, but unnecessary and often harmful. I talk about the real caloric demands of ultra-endurance events like the Tour de France and Race Across America, and how even those athletes only maintain extreme intakes for short periods of time—not year-round. I also discuss the psychological cost of the “no days off” mentality, and why it’s so important to push back against this toxic messaging, especially for young athletes and their parents. You’ll hear about the groundbreaking research of Dr. David Costill showing how cutting training volume in half for seven weeks actually leads to peak performance, and we debunk the widely misinterpreted 10,000-hour rule. I share the incredible story of Donald Thomas, who became a world high jump champion with barely a year of training, in stark contrast to Stefan Holm’s lifelong grind. We also cover mental health struggles among Olympic athletes like Phelps, Simone Biles, and Caleb Dressel—and why balance, perspective, and accurate storytelling from public figures matter more than ever.   TIMESTAMPS: There are many impressionable people watching and listening to star athletes who put out less than truthful advice on podcasts. [00:51] The human is only capable of ingesting a certain caloric limit each day. [07:46] If these athletes want to give advice, why not be truthful so followers can learn. [12:48] An obsessive training approach is absolutely not necessary. [17:18] Do you need 10,000 hours of practice to master your skill? [24:27] If you are going to reach the highest level, know that the healthiest, most well-adjusted athletes are those that have a healthy, happy, balanced lifestyle. [32:33]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Michael Phelps Short - “every day for 5 years” No Days Off - Michael Phelps Motivational Video Phelps Instagram - every day for 6 years Katy Ledecky Caleb Dressel NY TImes Olav Aleksander Bu Podcast with Dr. Herman Pontzer Dr. Jim Loehr   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.