Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple to examine what the science says about female-specific training and nutrition. We discuss why so little research has historically focused on women, what makes menstrual cycle research so difficult and expensive to run, and what her own dissertation found when she measured muscle protein synthesis across cycle phases. Dr. Colenso-Semple explains the real hormone fluctuations of the menstrual cycle, why testosterone matters far less for women's muscle than people assume, and why men and women gain strength and size at the same relative rate at any age, including through menopause. We also cover low energy availability, scientific literacy, and how to figure out what works for you. This episode is for anyone, coach or lifter, trying to separate evidence from misinformation in women's fitness. Sponsors Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform David: https://davidprotein.com/perform TrueMed: https://truemed.com/perform Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform Chapters (00:00:00) Lauren Colenso-Semple (00:01:51) The Lit Review That Never Was (00:07:01) Why Women Got Bad Training Advice (00:11:23) Individualization & Where Sex Actually Ranks (00:21:09) Estrogen, Rodent Models & the Anabolic Myth (00:34:52) Hormones Across the Menstrual Cycle (00:45:18) The Myth of the Textbook 28-Day Cycle (00:51:41) Why Female Research Is So Hard (00:57:55) Inside Lauren's Dissertation: Tracers & Biopsies (01:06:10) Strength, Power & Hypertrophy: No Phase Effect (01:14:13) The Real Role of Testosterone & Menopause (01:23:36) Becoming a Better Consumer of Science (01:50:10) Low Energy Availability & RED-S (01:57:30) Advice for the Average Woman Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I cover "athlete's heart" — the paradox where the same cardiovascular adaptations that make endurance athletes exceptional can also mimic, and sometimes mask, real risk. I trace the history of what’s now known as exercise-induced cardiovascular remodeling (EICR), and walk through what's actually happening structurally, functionally, and electrically in a trained heart. I separate adaptive changes like left ventricular dilation and increased stroke volume from genuinely concerning issues such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, coronary calcification, and myocardial fibrosis. I also answer the question, "is too much exercise bad for the heart?" This episode is for endurance athletes, lifters, coaches, along with anyone who might have a family history of heart disease. Show notes: https://www.performpodcast.com/episodes/athletes-heart-intense-exercise-heart-damage Sponsors Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform TrueMed: https://truemed.com/perform Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform Chapters (00:00:00) Introduction & the Athlete's Heart Paradox (00:07:11) History of Athlete's Heart (00:09:24) Heart Anatomy & Physiology Primer (00:28:03) What Goes Wrong: Heart Attacks & Arrhythmias (00:32:54) Genetic Causes: WPW, LDS & Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (00:39:59) Exercise-Induced Cardiovascular Remodeling (EICR) (00:53:12) Endurance vs. Strength Training Adaptations (01:08:00) When Exercise Goes Too Far: AFib, Calcification & Fibrosis (01:27:06) Screening, Testing & Interventions (01:37:37) Summary Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest is Dr. Bret Contreras, PhD, CSCS, a leading expert in glute training. We cover key strategies for maximizing glute growth, explore the anatomy and function of the glutes, and break down effective exercises like the hip thrust. We discuss how to structure training programs based on individual goals, the importance of prioritizing recovery, and common mistakes that hinder progress. Additionally, we examine how physiological differences in women’s training should inform program design. Finally, we explore the importance of staying adaptable to evolving scientific research and optimizing training methods for better results. Whether or not glute development is your primary focus, this conversation provides actionable insights for achieving consistent progress in strength training. Read the full episode show notes at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform Momentous: https://www.livemomentous.com/perform Parker University: https://parkerseminars.com David Protein: https://davidprotein.com/perform Timestamps 00:00:00 Bret Contreras 00:02:10 Women vs Men Training Goals, Glutes 00:11:51 Glute Development & Women, Training Goals 00:18:51 Sponsor: Momentous 00:20:30 Booty by Bret, Glutes 00:28:10 Hip Thrust Exercise Development, Skorcher 00:38:22 Hip Thrust Popularization, Bench Press Evolution 00:47:03 Sponsor: Parker University 00:48:30 Tool: Hip Thrust vs Glute Bridge; Women vs Men Lockout Strength 00:57:19 Glute Anatomy 01:05:06 Training Glutes, Recovery, Tool: Rule of Thirds 01:13:08 Tool: 4 Exercise Categories & Variation; Recovery 01:20:51 Sponsor: AG1 01:22:32 Rotating Focus, Periodization, StrongLifting Program 01:30:32 Monthly Rotating Exercise Focus, Abductor vs Adductor 01:40:31 Tool: Rule of Thirds 01:41:32 Common Mistakes, Personal Trainers, Prioritization, Protein, Effort 01:51:52 Sponsor: David Protein 01:53:18 Common Training Mistakes 01:56:20 Individualization, Passive vs Active Muscle Stimulation, Long- vs Short-Length 02:07:19 Tool: Training Checkpoints; Muscle Engagement During Exercise 02:15:37 Men vs Women Recovery, Hormones, Physiological Differences, Menstrual Cycles 02:28:01 Training Glutes vs Other Muscles, Deltoids, Hamstrings 02:41:12 Hip Thrust & Research, Tempo, Sprint Speed, Range of Motion 02:55:18 Pivoting with New Research, Changing Training Program 03:00:11 Hip Thrust Limitations, Equipment, Functional Performance Transfer, Back 03:09:55 Personalized Goals & Rule of Thirds, Modifications 03:15:12 Training Glutes Without Legs 03:21:08 Recap, Bret’s Projects & Links 03:27:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Perform Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss science-supported methods to boost metabolism and maintain sustainable fat loss. I explain the key components of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and why some people seem to stay naturally lean with little effort. Using the three I’s—Investigate, Interpret, and Intervene—I explain how to assess your metabolism and make changes to improve it. I describe various behavioral, exercise, nutrition, and supplement-based approaches to enhance metabolism in both the short and long term. I also explain how factors such as age, gender, and body composition impact metabolism and discuss the underlying mechanisms, helping you better evaluate products that claim to “speed up metabolism.” Even if fat loss isn’t your goal, increasing metabolism offers numerous health and longevity benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels. The full show notes for this episode are available at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Parker University: https://parkerseminars.com Timestamps 00:00:00 Boost Your Metabolism 00:04:08 Fat Loss, Long-Term Metabolic Health 00:08:27 Speed Up Metabolism?, Driving Analogy 00:11:32 Body Composition, Fat, Muscle; Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) 00:14:37 4 Components of TDEE 00:19:07 Sponsor: Momentous 00:20:46 Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (EAT), Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) 00:25:17 Thermal Effect of Food (TEF); Fat vs Carbohydrates vs Proteins 00:31:11 Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) vs Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) 00:35:06 Investigate: RMR & BMR; Lab Tests, Wearables, Prediction Equation 00:42:29 Sponsors: LMNT, Parker University 00:45:18 Investigate: NEAT & EAT, Wearables, Heart Rate Monitors 00:47:35 Interpret: RMR, Age, Controllable vs Uncontrollable Factors, Tool: RMR Table 00:54:17 Intervene: TDEE Acute vs Chronic Factors 00:57:23 Acute Changes, EAT, Endurance, Strength & High-Intensity Interval Training, EPOC 01:06:09 NEAT, Standing & Treadmill Desks, Walks 01:09:20 TEF, Calories, Tool: Increase Protein Proportion 01:13:48 Sponsor: AG1 01:15:29 RMR: Spicy Foods; Water Intake; Air Temperature 01:25:22 RMR: Caffeine, Nicotine, Green Tea, Thermo-Regulators Stimulants 01:31:13 RMR: Quality Sleep; Tools: Protein, Walks, Naps 01:35:49 Does Age Impact Metabolism?, Muscle Mass 01:37:18 Chronic Changes, TEF & Gut Microbiome; NEAT, EAT 01:43:05 RMR: Sleep, Body Weight, Metabolic Dysfunction 01:49:29 RMR: Fish Oil; Muscle Mass 01:53:42 RMR: Exercise, Strength & Mixed Training; Eat More 01:57:53 Losing Weight & Effect on TDEE, Plateaus 02:00:35 Summary, Tool: Combining Approaches 02:12:14 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Perform Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss blood testing for athletic performance. I explain how performance-based blood testing differs from medical or disease-based blood panels and the pros and cons of blood testing for performance. I explain how to choose specific blood markers based on your performance goals, scenario, and situation. I also discuss the timing, frequency, and preparation for blood tests to increase the accuracy and validity of results. I explain how to contextualize blood test results, interpret reference ranges, and account for the natural variability of blood markers. I also discuss how to improve blood test results through nutrition, behaviors, training, or supplementation. Listeners of this episode will understand how to determine appropriate blood markers for yourself or your client based on specific training goals and how to interpret blood results so you can look, feel, and perform at your best. Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform Vitality Blueprint: https://vitalityblueprint.com/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform Timestamps 00:00:00 Blood Testing, Albumin, MCV 00:03:05 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Vitality Blueprint 00:05:55 Blood Testing for Performance 00:09:24 Cons of Blood Work 00:13:39 Pros of Blood Work 00:19:30 Investigate: Blood Panels for General Health, CBC, CMP 00:25:14 Blood Panels for Performance; Bodybuilding, Protein Turnover 00:32:08 Sponsors: Momentous & LMNT 00:35:21 Albumin, Hydration, Inflammation 00:38:50 Endurance Training, Iron 00:46:33 Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc, Chromium, Magnesium, B12 00:50:52 Sodium, Potassium 00:56:48 Energy & Fatigue, Blood Glucose 01:02:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Renaissance Periodization 01:05:18 Tool: Getting Good Blood Data, 48-Hour Rule, Timing, Hydration 01:12:55 Sensitive vs. Resilient Markers; Blood Test Consistency, Testosterone 01:19:41 Interpret: References Ranges, Blood Glucose, Homocysteine 01:28:44 Context & Interpretation, Strength vs. Endurance 01:34:13 Sleep Apnea, Hemoglobin, Endurance Training 01:37:33 Medical vs. Performance Blood Markers, Blood Volume, Creatinine 01:46:18 ALT, AST, Athlete’s Paradox 01:49:05 Optimal for What?, Context & Blood Markers 01:56:35 Tool: Analytical, Diurnal & Biological Variability 02:01:39 Patterns & Categories: Hydration, Inflammation 02:09:01 Intervene: Big Solutions, Direct Markers vs. Systemic Solutions 02:20:57 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss training plateaus, overtraining, and peaking (aka “tapering”) to help you train smart for your goals and effectively use rest to maximize performance. I discuss training plateaus, the underlying molecular mechanisms that cause plateaus, and how to overcome plateaus by targeting systems and nutrition-based approaches. I describe how overtraining reduces performance, which molecular biomarkers to measure to determine if you are overtrained, and how to recover from overtraining. I also explain how to use peaking (tapering) to significantly enhance performance, when to place a taper relative to competition, and how to effectively taper by reducing volume and increasing rest days. I explain multiple causes and solutions for diminished performance and describe tracking options for measuring your health, fatigue, and performance. Listeners will learn how high-performance athletes, down to general exercisers, should measure, monitor, and intervene in plateaus, overtraining, and taper effectively. Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform Vitality Blueprint: https://vitalityblueprint.com/perform Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform Timestamps 00:00:00 Plateau, Peaking & Overtraining 00:03:57 Sponsors: LMNT & AG1 00:07:26 “Stress is Stress,” Training & Inactivity 00:11:13 3 Scenarios for Plateau, Peaking & Overtraining 00:15:43 Physiological Passport, Personal Variation 00:20:45 Data Collection & Personal Load 00:23:54 Tool: Minimal Viable Solution & Tracking 00:28:00 Sponsor: Eight Sleep & Momentous 00:30:45 Identifying Plateau: Muscle Growth Plateau, Newbie Gains 00:36:41 Overcoming Plateau: Targeting Systems, Plateau Possible Mechanisms 00:46:46 Overcoming Plateau: Nutrition, Protein 00:53:19 Sponsor: Vitality Blueprint & Renaissance Periodization (RP) 00:56:48 Identifying Overtraining vs. Functional & Non-Functional Overreaching 01:04:33 Reduced Performance, Fatigue & Molecular Biomarkers 01:10:40 Blood Biomarkers, Protein Status Markers 01:17:45 Peaking (Tapering) & Performance 01:27:04 Tool: Effectively Taper; Volume & Intensity 01:33:38 Taper & Biomarkers, Testosterone 01:36:34 Tools: Taper Styles; Rest Days, Taper Variables; Individual Variability 01:45:05 Speed, Team Sports, Skills, Endurance & Taper 01:48:35 High-Performance Athletes & Tracking, Human Digital Twin 01:54:17 Tool: Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Respiratory Rate 02:00:31 Tool: Acute & Chronic Actions; Caffeine, Carbohydrates 02:04:18 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I explain how sleep optimization produces a competitive advantage and the many tools available for improving sleep to maximize athletic performance. I explain how sufficient, high-quality sleep enhances speed, accuracy, reaction time, and competition performance and aids in injury recovery. I also describe why most athletes suffer from chronic suboptimal sleep, the athlete’s sleep paradox, the biochemical reason athletes need more sleep, and the most common sleep disorders affecting athletes. I explain the importance of optimizing three areas for sleep: duration, quality, and timing. I also discuss how to use sleep extension to improve performance and how to use sleep banking and/or adjust sleep timing during competition training or travel. I discuss the three I’s (investigate, interpret, intervene) for improving sleep and describe sleep solutions, ranging from free protocols and low-cost wearables to high-precision clinical sleep testing. Listeners will understand the importance of sleep for performance and how to create a precise, effective sleep program tailored to individual needs and goals for yourself or the athletes you coach. Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Absolute Rest: https://www.absoluterest.com/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform Timestamps 00:00:00 Sleep Performance 00:08:16 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT 00:11:44 Sleep Deprivation vs. Extreme Sleep Restriction, Suboptimal Sleep 00:15:49 Emerging Research & Sleep Performance 00:20:51 Sleep Duration, Sleep Banking, Sleep Extension 00:28:29 Tool: Sleep Extension to Improve Athletic Performance 00:35:21 Sponsors: Absolute Rest & Momentous 00:38:23 Injury Recovery; Tool: Sleep Banking 00:45:38 Athlete’s Sleep Paradox 00:50:08 Athletes & Sleep Needs, Adenosine & Sleep Pressure 00:57:24 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 00:58:46 Sleep Quality, Sleep Disorders in Athletes 01:03:27 Sleep Timing: Circadian Rhythm, Jet Lag & Performance Timing 01:09:40 Investigate: Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire, Sleep Disorders 01:18:17 Analyzing Sleep, Polysomnography, Wearables & Orthosomnia 01:28:56 Interpret: Sleep Duration, Sleep Quality 01:36:08 Intervention: Sleep Education, Sleep Opportunity 01:42:09 Intervention: Improve Sleep Quality & Timing 01:52:38 Tool: Resolve Snoring 01:55:58 Sleep Timing, Using Sleep for Performance Enhancement 02:00:56 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I explain practical applications for improving your VO2 max and endurance in order to prevent disease, promote longevity, and optimize overall health and performance. I also explain the training fundamentals and methods to consider when developing an endurance training program, such as general conditioning, warm-ups/cool-downs, tissue tolerance and recovery, injury prevention, and maximizing training time. I describe two endurance training programs suitable for individuals of all training levels: Metamorphosis, designed to improve VO2 max, and Faster in 50, a fifty-day marathon training program. I explain the specific methodologies of these programs, including the resistance training and endurance training elements, building volume and intensity (i.e., zones/"gears"), reps/sets, breathing, and how to assess your progress at the end. This episode focuses on specific programs and protocols for improving endurance that will help listeners develop/follow their own program or help coaches and trainers design programs for their athletes. Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Vitality Blueprint: https://vitalityblueprint.com/perform Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform Timestamps 00:00:00 Protocols to Improve VO2 Max 00:03:08 Sponsors: LMNT & Vitality Blueprint 00:06:28 Improve VO2 Max, First Principles 00:10:43 Training Program Framework for Improving VO2 Max 00:19:18 Tool: Protocol to Improve VO2 Max, Metamorphosis Program 00:25:34 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Momentous 00:28:38 Metamorphosis Program: Easy Days 00:37:08 Moderate Days, Tempo Intervals, Fartlek Training; Weeks 1-4 00:42:25 Week 5; Easy & Moderate Days; Repeats 00:47:25 Higher-Intensity Days, Power Intervals 00:53:57 Week 8, Assess VO2 Max, Cooper’s 12-Minute Test 00:55:16 Sponsor: AG1 00:56:47 Tool: First Marathon Training Program, Faster in 50 01:01:14 Faster in 50 Program: General Conditioning & Marathon Training Phases 01:04:36 Phase 1, Day 1 01:11:08 Phase 1, Week 1: Tempo Run, Fartlek Run, Cross-Train, Recovery Accelerators 01:15:21 Phase 2 & Increasing Endurance Training; Peak Week 01:21:25 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media Disclaimer and Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices