The Science of Fitness Podcast

We sit down with Dr Lulu Pullar, Brisbane Lions AFLW player and doctor, to unpack why sport can be the simplest pathway to belonging, confidence, and hope. We also go deep on what it takes to balance elite performance with emergency medicine, and why access matters more than talent when you’re building futures in remote Australia. • the real purpose of DreameD and why “freedom to dream” comes first • football as the connector for identity, belonging, and community strength in remo...

We speak with Sasha Levitt, CEO of Measure Up, about using DEXA, VO2 max, and strength metrics to turn health goals into a clear, personalised plan while expanding nationwide bone density screening to prevent life-altering fractures. We challenge BMI, unpack the economics of prevention, and show how simple, accurate testing boosts motivation and long-term habit change. • What DEXA measures versus calipers and impedance • National rollout of mobile bone density “bone buses” • Osteoporosis ris...

We guide a five‑minute breathwork session to shift state on demand, using simple counts, contrasts, and stillness to teach control over the nervous system. You learn to breathe low and wide, lengthen your exhale, and use brief breath holds to settle fast. • body awareness and rib expansion cues • 3‑in 5‑out pattern for downregulation • gentle pauses to relax face and jaw • 2‑in 1‑out set to upregulate safely • comfortable inhale hold to build tolerance • return to neutral breathing and body ...

What if recovery wasn’t a luxury but the easiest way to upgrade sleep, focus, training, and mood? We sit down with TH7 co-founder Tom Harvey to map the shift from novelty wellness to purpose-built protocols that respect time, deliver clarity, and actually make your week feel better. Over the last 18 months Tom’s team opened four clinics and learned why consistency beats variety, how to turn protocols into habits, and what separates a true recovery experience from a sauna and ice bath shoved i...

The gap between training hard and feeling great is often one thing: enough fuel. We’re joined by sports dietitian Hanah Mills for a candid, practical tour of performance nutrition that ditches extremes and focuses on what actually moves the needle—energy availability, smart carb timing, and habits you can live with. We start by challenging hustle culture and the pressure to chase body fat at all costs. If you’re not paid to perform, you’re paying to participate—so recovery, consistency, and m...

Most people think recovery is an ice bath or a day off. We make the case that the most accessible recovery tool is already with you: a diaphragm-led breath that can steady your heart, calm your nervous system, and teach your body to move better under load. We break down how breathing sits at the crossroads of mechanics and neurology. You’ll learn why shallow, chesty breaths keep you wired, why longer exhales can lower heart rate and lift HRV, and how rib cage motion links to spinal loading i...

If you’ve ever pushed the pace for a cleaner Strava graph, you’ve felt the tug-of-war between ambition and anatomy. We invited physiotherapist and Trail Kings host Shale Coranda to unpack how runners actually get better: not with hacks, but with small mechanical tweaks, heavy strength done right, and a stubborn commitment to patience. Shale’s blend of clinical insight and real-world running culture cuts through noise and offers clear steps you can use on your very next run. We dig into first...

Start with a simple truth: progress belongs to the people who take the first step and ask better questions. That’s the heartbeat of our chat with exercise physiologist Oscar Munro, whose journey runs from childhood sport and an early uni stumble to a thriving practice across NDIS, DVA, ageing strength, and elite rugby programs. We explore how the EP role sits between diagnosis and performance—where exercise is prescribed like medicine. Oscar breaks down the practical handover from physio to ...

We examine the crucial role of attendance in achieving fitness success and maintaining business sustainability, demonstrating how member attendance is directly linked to retention rates and health outcomes. • Gym members typically see their trainers more frequently than any other professional service provider • Analysis showing 39 of 40 cancelled memberships were attending less than twice weekly • Reducing churn from 8% to 5% dramatically improves business sustainability • Minimum effective ...

Discover how the Science of Fitness Women's Health Program is transforming female wellness through education, community, and personalised approaches. What began as a focused intervention for pelvic health has blossomed into a comprehensive framework that addresses women's wellbeing across all life stages. Dr. Meg Doohan and exercise physiologist Emily Adams share the powerful evolution of their program, which brings together women from ages 17 to 50+ in an environment where knowledge flows f...

What separates exceptional fitness equipment from merely functional gear? According to Niall Wogan, founder and CEO of Verve Fitness, it's the perfect blend of stunning aesthetics, rock-solid functionality, and customer service that actually cares. In this fascinating conversation, Niall shares his global entrepreneurial journey that spans continents—from Ireland to South Africa to Los Angeles and finally Australia's Gold Coast. With refreshing candour, he reveals how Verve was born from a s...

The fitness landscape is constantly evolving, with trends rising and falling at lightning speed. In this inaugural episode of our new "SOF Monthly" series, we dive into two significant movements capturing attention right now: the hybrid athlete phenomenon and the growing focus on menopausal women's fitness. What exactly constitutes a hybrid athlete? We break down this increasingly popular approach to fitness that balances strength training, running capacity, and high-intensity work. It's not...

Dr. Priyanka Naidu's transformative journey from grappling with social anxiety to becoming a celebrated psychology expert is nothing short of inspiring. Picture this: the very challenges that once held her back became the cornerstone of her professional path. You'll gain insights into how Dr. Naidu used her experiences to not only conquer her fears but also help others do the same, teaching us that personality traits aren't fixed but can be evolved through performance psychology and self-awar...