Tread Lightly Running Science Podcast

“You’ve got to have high challenge and high support.” In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Duncan Simpson of Dartmouth’s Teeven Center for Peak Performance to discuss the psychology of pushing yourself to your limits as a runner.In this episode, you’ll learn about:🔸 Effective strategies to navigate tough moments in a race🔸 The importance of creating a strong but not singular identity as a runner🔸 How to create a healthy narrative around your running🔸Three mindset skills to sharpen in a training cycle🔸Psychologically healthy vs unhealthy race goalsTread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris. Media kit available to interested sponsors upon request.About our guest:Duncan Simpson, PhD, director of Dartmouth’s Teevens Center for Peak Performance and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) has spent his career studying what happens when people are pushed to their limits, and what allows some to keep performing through high-stakes environments. As the former Head of Mental Conditioning at IMG Academy, Duncan has helped professional, international, and NCAA athletes of all ages perform under pressure and sustain elite performance.Connect with Duncan on LinkedInEmail [email protected] aloud studyUltramarathon studyLearn more about The Teevens CenterIf you enjoyed this episode, you may like:🎧 The Psychology Behind Peak Running Performance with Dr. Trent Claypool (7 Aug 2026)Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

Running is not bad for your knees - if anything, consistent running is remarkably beneficial for your cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health. In this episode, we delve into the research around running, disease risk, and mortality/longevity. You will learn how running improves heart health, lowers cancer risk, helps you sleep, and more.In this episode, you’ll learn about:✅ How endurance training changes your heart✅ The impact of running on cardio-metabolic disease risk✅ How consistent running affects your musculoskeletal system✅ How endurance training improves sleep✅ The impact of running on brain health✅ The immune system benefits of running✅ How running impacts longevityTread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris. Media kit available to interested sponsors upon request.References🔬PMID: 28365296🔬PMID: 26178328🔬PMID: 31103650🔬PMID: 29342063🔬PMID: 40664502🔬 PMID: 31036563🔬PMID: 2471166🔬PMID: 38355154🔬PMID: 30991724🔬PMID: 25082581If you enjoyed this episode, you may like:🎧 Running for Health vs Running for Performance (14 Nov 2025)🎧 How Much Do Genetics Impact Your Running Performance? (30 Aug 2024)🎧 Hybrid Training as Health Training with Dr. Alyssa Olenick (6 Sept 2024)🎧 How Much Does VO2max Actually Matter? (3 Oct 2025)https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/p/does-running-increase-your-risk-ofLet’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

Are broccoli sprout shots the secret to your next PR? Will U-Can gels help you manage weight? And are greens powders a scam or magic bullet? We sit down with registered dietitian Alex Larson, the founder of Alex Larson Nutrition. She answers all our questions on GLP-1s, cortisol-reducing supplements, lactate gels, if Laura can make her own Nomio at home, and more.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ The difference between GLP-1 medications and “GLP-1-like” supplements✅ Are superstarch gels worth the money?✅ Do cortisol reducing supplements work?✅ Are greens powder a scam or worthwhile?✅ Are broccoli shots the secret to a PR?✅ If lactate gels are the next big thingThank you to Our Sponsors:✨ Use link to enter Run to the Finish Fall Training Support Giveaway, featuring podcast sponsors Mizuno, Title Nine, and more: https://runtothefinish.com/fall-training-support-giveaway/✨ Join Amanda on the Japan Running Retreat: https://www.wildexplorers.travel/tours/wild-japan-running-retreat-with-amanda-brooksConnect with our Guest:🔗 https://alexlarsonnutrition.com/https://alexlarsonnutrition.substack.com/https://alexlarsonnutrition.com/podcast/https://www.instagram.com/alexlarsonnutritionTread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

You have likely encountered the advice that all you need to do to run better is to run more. Is training really that simple? In this episode, we discuss high volume running: why people do it, who it works for, and who should skip it. We examine the research and assess unique situations such as busy athletes, beginners, masters athletes, and injury-prone runners. You will also learn how to safely increase and support high volume training, so that you can secure the biggest driver: consistent training over years.Thank you to our sponsors:✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks, endurance fuel, and recovery mixes. Use code TREADLIGHTLY20 at https://tailwindnutrition.com/TREADLIGHTLY for 20% off your first purchase.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ How “high volume” running is defined (and why pace impacts it)✅ The benefits of high volume training✅ How to safely increase running volume✅ Who will not benefit from higher volume training?✅ Is there a point where you should lower your training volume?Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.References🔬PMID: 31855590🔬PMID: 38695978🔬PMID: 40913707🔬 PMID: 31704026🔬 PMID: 32421886🔬PMID: 42272862If you enjoyed this episode, you may like:🎧 What Does Training Like an Elite Runner Actually Look Like? (6 Feb 2026)🎧 Why 80/20 Doesn’t Work for Every Runner with Jonah Rosner (12 Dec 2025)Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/