TRAINING HOT TAKES

Today’s topic is juicy, it’s messy, it’s about love. Well, maybe love is a strong word in this case… Join Carmen MacArthur and Ema Chlepkova for another episode of the You Don’t Say Podcast! Carmen is an athlete on the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre. She used to train up at Silver Star with the Sovereign biathlon team, but we’ve won her over with our good looks and charm. If love is a strong word, then let’s say love interest instead. In this episode, we discuss training/racing/camp crushes. We expected terrible first dates, and instead we got almost exclusively happy endings. Listen to this episode if you’re in for an exciting anonymous story telling session, well anonymous for everyone except the people talking into the mic… oh boy.

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: https://youdontsaypodcast.substack.com/p/why-a-newsletter?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=shareHave you ever spoken up about your period and been shushed by people around you? It kinda reminds us of how in the Harry Potter series, no one could say the name Voldemort. For some reason, even though half the population of THE WORLD experiences periods, it’s still a taboo topic. On this episode of the YDS podcast, we dig into the messiness, awkwardness and anger we experience around menstruation. We also scratch the surface of disordered eating and losing your period. Basically, we see this episode as something we wish we could’ve heard when we were younger athletes.  On top of this topic being exciting and severely under-talked about, this episode’s guest is also worth a mention! It’s the one and only Lena Hacki-Gross, visiting our Canadian Biathlon Team’s training camp in Park City. Some people say it’s best not to meet your role models, but Lena sure lives up to all the expectations!

Have you ever waxed your own classic skis so badly you almost threw a tantrum mid trail? Maybe instead of dealing with grip wax you’ve opted for carpet skis (also known as skin skis)? Buckle up for many training pet peeves delivered by the ski community and our guest Natalie Wilkie! She’s my house mate, as well as one of the most decorated Paralympians in Canada. Bottom line is (according to our listeners): show up on time to training, sharpen your rollerski tips, stay in zone unless you’re trying to piss off your sibling, and much more! Ps.. hit me up if you’re looking to fall in love (and letting all of us follow along on your dates, anonymously duh). 

For this episode, I asked the biathlon/ski community “tell us about the weird/unhinged things you do to pass the time during long training sessions!” And the people delivered. Prepare yourself for some insane stories, but also an equally insane guest; Liam Tinworth. He’s also an athlete on the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre and the Biathlon National Development Team. Shout out to the person who likes to munch on snow during long skis, I hope your tummy is doing well. And my thoughts and prayers go out to Taylor Swift, may she make the right decision if she ever stumbles upon one of our listeners in the woods. 

Do cross-country skiers have it easier than biathletes? Oh yeah, we went down that road! Since I messed up the first recording, we’re back discussing the rest of the hot takes. Chatting with me today is Benjamin Brousseau. He is my team mate on the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre, and also the Biathlon National Development Team. He has competed at three Youth and Junior World Championships and Junior IBU Cups.

Is zone 2 the most efficient training zone? Maybe if you're a 14 year old lawyer dad... On this episode, we discuss training hot takes sent in by the ski community along with Stu Harden, who is a recently retired Biathlon Alberta Training Centre coach. He was also an almost Youth Olympic Gold medalist, if you know, you know. And if you don't, listen to this episode! There are many ways to get good at biathlon, but just because there is no singular right answers, it doesn't mean there are no wrong answers. At the YDS Podcast, we definitely have all the solutions and knowledge so keep listening ;)

Have you ever pooped your pants before a race? Cause we have, and today we’re gonna talk about it! Our guest today is Aliah Turner, aka Vomit Aliah, a Biathlon Alberta Training Centre athlete. She has competed at the 2026 Biathlon Junior World Championships, as well as the past FISU Games. Racing is a stressful time, and our bodies react to it in unexpected ways… Having tummy issues before a competition is more common than we may think. So next time something goes wrong before your start, remember this episode. There might just be a happy ending to every shit-storm ;)