1 % Better - Hidden Stories in Sport

What Endurance Sports Can Learn from Team Sports - Dr Peter Tierney

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Peter Tierney is a performance consultant who is currently consulting & advising a range of health & performance oriented individuals &...

AI in Sports - Professor Brinnae Bent

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we are joined by Professor Brinnae Bent to discuss AI in sport. Brinnae is a faculty member teaching AI and Cybersecurity at Duke Uni...

Running Culture & the Running Boom(s) - Mario Fraioli

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We are thrilled to be joined by Mario Fraioli on this episode. Marios is a running coach, author, podcaster and runner. Mario has coached at the highe...

HRV, HRV Guided Training and HRV Misconceptions - Dr Marco Altini

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we are joined by Dr Marco Altini, an entrepreneur, data scientist, endurance coach and runner. He is the founder and head of product a...

2025 Year in Sport Wrapped

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a listener question about Hyrox cannibalizing triathlon numbers we touch on a big marketing push for high school mile runners. We then get into ...

Western States, Blood Flow Restriction and Formula 1 Aid Stations - Pro Trailrunner Dan Jones

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a huge episode, we discuss Courtney Dauwalter’s marathon efforts as well as Valencia marathon. Additionally we discuss rule changes and proposed ...

Supershoe Use, Being Self-Coached & Heat Training - Pro Runner Alfie Manthorpe

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have a few announcements, including a competition this week. Following this we follow up on the Premier League salary cap measures which have been ...

Is an Energy Deficit Really That Bad? - Associate Professor Jose Areta

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After recapping some of Xylon’s life choices, we discuss some outrageous Lebron James stats before a quick cricket discussion. We then move on to so...

Brain Health, Concussion and CTE

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have a bumper episode for you this week, starting with people running - Jim Walmsley in a road 10k and pro cyclists in their offseason. We touch on...

Earnings, 120g/hr of Carbs & Transitioning Sports

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a wide ranging episode, we discuss people transitioning sports, review the Ironman 70.3 world championships and examine some research on carbohydra...

Move Aside Ozempic, Apitegromab is Here (Soon)

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Xylon and David give their updates before discussing the Women’s Cricket World Cup, Kipchoge’s plans going forward (and that shirt), they review N...

Advice for Heat Training with Dr Lindsey Hunt

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a huge episode we cover a bunch of news, including changes to the NYC marathon fields, Molly Seidel’s running plans, Valencia half marathon resul...

Cyclists Trying to Run & Kenyan Scholarships

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we review some world records, look at another scathing doping survey and check in on Amsterdam marathon results - including looking at...

Amsterdam Marathon Preparation - Pro Marathoner Phil Sesemann

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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New Records, New Olympic Events & Lawsuits

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We start off with a discussion of the performance cycle of sports teams before discussing a world class performance to break the SA 10k record. We tou...

Berlin Marathon Drama, Frodeno Goes Long & Supershoe Science

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are back and covering off the latest happenings in the sporting world. We cover Jan Frodeno doing a 55k trail race, a hot day at the Berlin Maratho...

Fasting, Heat and Do Endurance Athletes Have more Daughters?

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have a special guest host this week, Kristi Storoschuk joins the podcast again to help David while Xylon is away. After a listener question on fuel...

Engineering a UTMB Win

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We start this week off with some NYC Marathon news before diving into some recent doping happenings. After this we review the Ironman World Championsh...

Shoe controversy, Boston marathon training & Thyroid hormone use in Olympians

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We start off with a listener question about recovery runs before diving into the Hayden Wilde shoe saga and a mess at the Tokyo World Championships tr...

Was Sydney Marathon Weak & Insights from UTMB

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lots to review this week with many insights shared about what has been happening in the world of sport. We look at Sydney as the 7th World Marathon Ma...

Recovery From an Eating Disorder Pro Cyclist Clara Koppenburg

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before our interview, we cover a listener question and then take a look back at some Diamond League and forward to UTMB. We also discuss teenage pheno...

Marathon Longevity with Multiple Olympian Lisa Weightman

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before our guest joins us, Xylon learns to tie shoelaces, we cover a listener question on heart rate during warm up and we review the Diamond League i...

Should You Do More Zone 2 Training?

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have a huge episode this week. Most importantly we discuss yoghurt gate but we also touch on a bunch of community shoutouts, some NFL, Crossfit, T1...

Microdosing, Elite Athlete's healing capacity and Jan Frodeno Running OCC

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week starts with some absolute abhorrent behviour from Xylon before we get into some great community shoutouts. We then touch on athletes and acc...

Mental Health vs Mental Resilience

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gary Fahey is a mental strength and performance specialist, mental health and addiction counsellor, public speaker and bestselling author. He currentl...

Diet, Stress Balance and Course Familiarisation

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We tackle a number of listener questions in the episode covering topics like stress balance and coping, recovery nutrition, diet, microbiome and nutri...

Small Margins & Marginal Gains with Dr Sam Shepherd

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prior to our interview which is all about crewing and marginal gains we discuss Tracksmith’s new marathon team, why Nerd Clusters are gaining popula...

The Wildest Week in Endurance Sport

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a huge week in endurance sport and specifically for Hiroki Kai who we talk about. We also discuss changes to qualification for the Ironman...

Inside Breaking 4

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A big weekend in endurance sport sees us recap Western States, Ironman Frankfurt, the breaking of the backyard ultra world record and a quick discussi...

Pro Runner Colleen Quigley - The Future of Running as a Team Sport

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After some quick updates and community shoutouts we hear from previous guest Matt Marquardt about his IM Cairns win. Before discussing the Paris Diamo...

Determinants of Success in Tennis

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aside from our normal segments we quickly discuss Grand Slam Track cancelling their LA slam, some friction issues at the Hyrox world champs and the Da...

Fast Times and How Sport Evolves

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a huge episode, we cover a large range of things this week, mostly around fast performances and how sport evolves. We announce our new sponsor, upd...

Pro Ultra Trailrunner Emily Hawgood - Canyons 100 win & Western States Prep

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Hawgood is a Professional trail runner for team Adidas Terrex. Hot off the heels of a high profile win at the 100k Canyons endurance run by UTMB...

Longevity, Enhanced Games and Attention Spans

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aside from the usual segments, this week we touch on some contract related issues in rugby, the enhanced games and Akani Simbine sparks a longevity an...

Rockstar Athletes

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 64, Xylon and David discuss sleep and breathing, the need for tendons to be loaded rather than completely rested and then touch on some lis...

Wholistic Athletic Development

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We briefly touch on some community shoutouts, talk some hyrox and then review IM 70.3 St George as well as the Vuelta Espana Feminina before getting t...

Sustainability and Your Sport

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are joined by Adjunct Professor Nicole Loher who is a climate scientist and communications expert to discuss an optimistic view on sustai...

Marathon Lessons

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Another running heavy episode incoming. After some updates and a bucketload of shoutouts, we answer a listener question about breathing when running. ...

When Should You Train?

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before we get to our main topic of the episode, time of day and how to optimise training and performance around it, we discuss other happenings in spo...

Personalised Carbohydrate Requirements - Tash Cooper-Smith

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined by Tash Cooper-Smith from Precision Fuel & Hydration to discuss a paper she was an author on which covered the individualisation of ...

Blood Donation & Infrared Sauna’s Impacts on Performance

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s episode we discuss a fascinating listener question on blood donation and its impact on performance before reviewing some of the weeke...

Torpedo Bats and Placebo Supershoes

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 57 is here and it brings all the regular segments and topics. We discuss some questions about pre race and marathon fueling as well as doing s...

Only Fans, Coaches Behaving Badly & Stellar Performances

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Xylon is back! He and Dave cover a bunch of ground including reviewing the World Indoor T&F championships, Chianti by UTMB and Milan San Remo. The...

That Running Episode

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dave has a ring-in cohost in Xylon’s absence and this episode is quite running centric. Dave and guest host Dan review their recent race efforts wit...

Rugby's Origins, Bifurcation and International Expansion

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a brief chat about some recently cycling we are joined by journalist Mike Mehall Wood to discuss the origins of rugby league and rugby union, in...

Birthdays, Tokyo Marathon & Doping Test Failures

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The birthday episode is here! Before discussing some listener questions on flexibility and Lionel Sanders’ recent health results, we discuss half ma...

Sodium Hyperhydration and Performance - Dr Sam Shepherd

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode the guys discuss top earners in sport, some results from the track & field world and a drug ban. They then touch on some research ...

Questioning Limiters in Endurance - Dr Andrew Koutnik

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Another week another bunch of running records which we cover. After this we chat a bit about Tarawera Ultramarathon results and the Tyreek Hill vs Noa...

Training Models and Physiological Thresholds - Jem Arnold

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Xylon & David talk about some Millrose games results, national records falling in the 5k and Visma Lease a Bike’s use of TT helmets on the road ...

Youth Development, Neuromuscular Fatigue & Breaking Records

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 49 we cover a spate of running records being broken, some discussion about broadcast rights and the power of the individual in sports. We a...

Is Music Performance Enhancing?

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Finally we cover the question of whether music is performance enhancing. But only after discussing Australian open broadcast rights, carbon plated rac...

Multi-year Training Plans & Spring Marathons' Elite Fields

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode the guys review David’s testing results and answer a listener question about multi year training planning. They then cover some rapi...

Athletes vs Influencers

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Allison Lynch is a marketing and communications executive with 12 years of experience. This has included roles as Sr. Marketing Manager, US & Glob...

Estimating Carb & Calorie Burn and Machine Learning for Talent Prediction

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode saw multiple listener questions answered including a discussion on prediction of caloric and carbohydrate burn from training dat...

Sport in Review and Preview

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we review 2024 in sport, from surprises to favourite moments and much more. We then look forward to 2025 and make some predictions on ...

Optimising Training During the Holidays

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this Holiday Episode the guys discuss training during the holiday period and how to optimise it. In addition they cover a listener question on deve...

Does RED-S Exist? (Yes) - Assistant Professor Alex Coates

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Assistant Professor Alex Coates is the principal investigator at the “Exercise Physiology and Performance Lab” at Simon Fraser University. Her bro...

Supplements & the Supplement Industry with Grant Jenkins

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Grant Jenkins is the general manager of Propel Health, an Australian based supplement company. He is an exercise physiologist and ASCA Master Coach. H...

Swearing, Sleep & Failure Points

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode the guys discuss some results from the Valencia marathon and address some listener questions about ultramarathon success and failure p...

Gold Zones

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Francis is the CEO and Cofounder of FC 32. Paul’s career includes time with both the Italian and British Olympic federations, multiple NFL team...

Should Foreigners be Allowed to Coach National Teams?

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hein Kriek is a Professional rugby coach, currently working as head coach of the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport Rugby International Institute. He has c...

Predicting your Half Marathon Time, Caffeine's Impact on your Sleep and Updates to the 2025 WADA list

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 37 covers some updates to WADA’s banned list, the impact of caffeine on sleep and half marathon time prediction. We also briefly discuss Gra...

Determinants of Endurance Performance

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week the episode focuses on a listener question about the determinants of endurance performance. Before this, we briefly recap the New York Marat...

Pacing, Triathlon Warmups & Tour de France Courses

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The guys debrief the big races from the weekend including Valencia half marathon and Kona Ironman, chatting pacing as part of this and some listener q...

Probiotics, AI Nutrition & Circadian Rhythm Affecting your Marathon

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode starts with a recap of Cape Town Marathon and a view towards Valencia Half Marathon. We then tackle a listener question on poten...

Preparing for Kona with Pro Triathlete Matthew Marquardt

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Marquardt is a professional triathlete currently Ranked 19th in the PTO rankings and 9th in the IM Pro Series. He came 11th in the 2023 IM Wor...

The Business of Football & Revolutionising the Women's Game with Christie Jenkins

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined on the podcast by Christie Jenkins, Co-Founder & Chief Investment Officer at F32 a multi-club football ownership group focused on wo...

Underfueling in Football, Carb Requirements and body weight, IMWC & Pogacar

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The guys discuss the IMWC in Nice and Pogacar’s superhuman effort before a research paper on underfueling in the premier league and fuel requirement...

Competing Safely in Endurance Events

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Amy Boalch joins the podcast this week to talk about safe participation in endurance events and common problems seen by event medical staff. Amy is...

Interference Effect, Carbohydrates for Recovery & Physiology of Backyard Ultras

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week the community really shone and we answer a number of listener submitted questions, some about previous episodes some not. From there we disc...

Adapting to Training

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week is all about adapting to training. The guys discuss not ice bathing post training, longitudinal changes due to sprint training, life long ca...

The Future

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our episode this week the guys discuss some of the changing landscape of sport; be it the body changing in response to strongman, the evolution of ...

If it’s Not Doping What is it?

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In addition to answering a listener question about the impact of technology on sprinting, this week we discuss the use of theming in coaching. We also...

Muscle Memory & Immunity

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our 25th weekly episode, we cover some crazy performances from the sporting world before diving into some research on immunity with nutrition. We t...

GOATs and Super Subs

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our focus this week is on people who have GOAT arguments and the super subs who stepped up at the Olympics. We also discuss Olympic medals and happine...

Everything you need to know about the women's Tour de France

10 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Show Notes: In this bonus episode, we talk to Hannah Walker. Hannah is a sports broadcaster and commentator who specializes in cycling. She has cover...

Interesting observations from the Olympics

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Show Notes: This week’s episode see’s Xylon recounting his experience at the Paris Olympic Games while David flew to London to run with a gold med...

Preparing a Crossfit Athlete

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode see’s both Xylon and David on the road, but getting their training done. They also chat to Sean Seale about preparing a Crossf...

How African cycling can become a global player

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Off the back of Biniam Girmay’s historic performance at the Tour de France, Xylon and David discuss African cycling as a means to further discuss ta...

Is Carbon Monoxide Performance Enhancing and Should it Be Banned?

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we cover peaking in sport, whether going to live sporting event is good for your health and changes to the qualifying through the roun...

Crazy Running and Olympic Selection

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week has a heavy focus on the Olympics and running. The guys touch a bit on Jonas Abrahamsen’s story of weight gain for performance gain before...

Myocarditis with Professional Triathlete Eloise du Luart

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David briefly reviews Lavaredo and shares some strange things he saw and Xylon’s not running as much as he thought. They then discuss race medals, a...

Technology and Triathlon - pro triathlete Eloise du Luart

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Race week for David looms as Xylon gets back into training. The guys discuss Christiano Ronaldo’s longevity and what the world was like when he debu...

Tour de France preview - with expert commentator Hannah Walker

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hannah Walker is a sports broadcaster and commentator who specialises in cycling. She has covered all of the major tours, including being one of the i...

Is Changing Sports the Future of Endurance Athletes?

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Xylon’s sick and David explains why post event sickness happens and what you can do to prevent it all as he is tapering for Lavaredo. They then disc...

Is Exercising Outdoors Better For You?

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Xylon and David cover indoor vs outdoor training in the main portion of this episode after touching on all the regular segments. Usain Bolt enters the...

Comrades Marathon Learnings and Advice

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode David and Xylon dissect and recap Xylon's Comrades Marathon effort. We dive into learnings, feedback, thoughts and advice fo...

Trending in Sport

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Xylon and David cover trends in sport this week. We discuss tapering in light of Xylon’s Comrades taper, recovery from major events and Xylon’s fu...

Training and Performing in the Heat - Dr Jamie Stanley

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hot off the press, this episode is all about heat and heat training with guest, Dr Jamie Stanley. We briefly catch up about training and some potentia...

So Good They Changed the Rules and Breaking the Rules

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week is all about rules. Some athletes and teams are good enough to make the sport change them, others break them and some sports are evolving an...

How Many Running Shoes do you Need?

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode is a big one on shoes and choosing shoes. We touch on a listener question about nutrition during taper before diving into our in...

Nicotine Use in Sport - Saint or Zynner?

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss the health benefits of mass participation sporting events and their risks, we touch on Kylian Mbappe racing Usain bolt and finall...

NIL, Doping & The Kenyan Marathon Team

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Xylon and David cover some NIL news out of high school, they discuss how absurd the Kenyan Olympic marathon teams are and some strange doping news out...

Underfueling in Endurance Athletes

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After some recapping of the Marathon majors and a potential for an Olympic Duathlon, the guys talk about the prevalence of underfueling in endurance a...

Latest in Supershoe Research

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 7 sees us review Xylon’s Two Oceans run, premier a new segment and briefly review the T1-00 Singapore before diving into the main part of th...

Geezers, Injuries and Rugby

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode sees us discuss the new world club rugby cup, some research on chest fairings, transitioning from rugby 15s to 7s, the hardest g...

Mud, Drugs and Tears

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we touch on some rule changes in Ironman, World cross country championships, Wout van Aert’s big crash and what it means for Visma-L...

The Role of Siblings in Sporting Development, Barkley Marathons & the NFL Combine

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss some rugby news, Wales being called out by Georgia and planning of world cup cycles, running a squad and team cohesion vs best in...

Swapping Gym for Gymnastics & Winning Gold - Nicolai Morris

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode Xylon and Dave talk to Nicolai Morris about her work with one of the world’s best high jumpers Nicola Olyslagers and their ...

Ep 2 - Women vs men as distance gets longer and why you may be overheating

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In episode 2, we talk through a big interview Jakob Ingebrigsten recently gave where he talked about doping in track and field. “I think doping is w...