Consummate Athlete Podcast

Deciding How to Train + HR Monitor Troubleshooting

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today Molly and Peter discuss a listener question about deciding how one should train for endurance sports. We also do a quick run-through of troubles...

Test Don't Guess? and What happens if you leave Zone 2?

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us in this episode as we tackle two thought-provoking listener questions. First up: the myth that you must undergo lab or physiological testing t...

Libido, Training Couples & Racing After Kids - Megan + David Roche

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to the latest episode of the Consummate Athlete Podcast, featuring Megan and David Roche from SWAP Running and 'The Happy Runner' fame! Burst...

[updated] Cold Plunges, Irregular Schedules & Wearable Data

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Update: We recorded this episode again to bring the audio quality up to our standards. Thanks for checking it out again! ----------------------------...

Call of a Lifetime - Shannon Vandivier

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Consummate Athlete Podcast, we're diving into the behind-the-scenes action of the latest season of 'Call of a Lifetime,' the el...

Training Camp Structure, Sugar Supplement Usage & Increasing Strength Exercise Challenge

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Consummate Athlete Podcast, we discuss how to do heavy (hard) strenth training when you do not have enough weight, how to struc...

A life of Adventure & The 7 Summits - Remy Kloos

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Consummate Athlete Podcast, we explore the remarkable life of Remy Kloos – a high-altitude mountaineer, mindset coach, and hu...

Is Hockey Cross Training? Long Strength Workouts? Combination Exercises?

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today Molly and Peter discuss a long list of questions including:  Is Hockey Cross Training? Long Strength Workouts? Combination Exercises? This epis...

Dr. Stacy Sims - Weight Lifting, Protein, Menopause [Rebroadcast]

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is our most popular episode in 2023 so we are rebroadcasting this important interview with Dr. Stacy Sims. Her mission is to help women better un...

The Consummate Athlete 2024 Goal Setting Episode

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Glassford and Molly Hurford discuss goal setting for the next cycling or running season. They discuss Molly's annual New Year article with Canad...

The Joy of Well Being with Colleen and Jason Wachob

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, host Molly Hurford is joined by special guests Colleen and Jason Wachob, the duo behind the amazing website, mindbodygreen.com.  Col...

How to Stay Motivated on the Indoor Trainer

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a question about staying motivated on the indoor cycling trainer .  This time of year can be hard to get going with the trainer and there ...

Tour Divide Bike Packing - Brook Smith

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brook Smith returns to the show to discuss Bike Packing on the Tour Divide. Brook has taken on some of the biggest bike packing routes in North Americ...

Holiday Q&A

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

  Today we discuss questions around the holiday season. Strength training follow ups from the last episode, Weather, habits, traditions, and training...

Getting Your Mind in Gear - Pat Spencer

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Spencer is a social worker with a private practice in central New Jersey and a mental skills coach for female and LGBTQIA+ cyclists and endurance ...

Peaking for Races + Off-season Strength Only Blocks For Busy Cyclists

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we discuss two listener questions. First, we address the viability and wisdom of dedicating a significant portion of your training ye...

Off-Season Nutrition - Caroline Burkholder

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Burkholder is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist based in Knoxville. She returns for her second epi...

Bouncing Back from a DNF or a Challenging Season

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we tackle a listener's question about the process of learning from and moving forward after a challenging season ending with a DNF (D...

The Midlife Cyclist - Phil Cavell

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have an interview with Phil Cavell, the founder and CEO of cyclefit a centre in the U.K. devoted to modern bike-fitting.  We discuss his bo...

Cross-Training is Not a Crime

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We made the t-shirt and we discuss the confusingly taboo topic of Cross-training for cyclists and runners today. Not only is cross-training ok but its...

Your Rights as a Cyclist - Ian Brisbin (updated)

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Brisbin returns to discuss your rights as a cyclist. Ian engages in cycling and active transportation public interest advocacy, and uses his law ...

Heart Rate Wrist Measurement + How HR changes with Age & Fitness

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss questions about using wrist based HR (e.g. Whoop or Garmin watches) and whether HR gets higher or lower as you get older and/or fitter and/...

Evolving Purpose in Sport - Viviane Favery

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We met Viviane Favery at Quebec Singletrack Experience in 2023 and we were blown away by her communication skills (in multiple languages!). She is a M...

Fall Racing and Training when motivated and when you are not!

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us on this episode as we discuss two scenerios for the fall racing and training season. What do you do if you have lots of motivation, energy and...

Juliet & Kelly Starrett - Built to Move - 10 Vital Signs

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode as we discuss 10 Vital Signs for tracking and enhancing your movement and health, as outlined in Kelly and Juliet Starrett's latest bo...

Genetic Potential & Improving as You Age

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's listener question is one we touch on often at Consummate Athlete. Can you keep improving as you age? What is the limit of your progression and...

Concussions & Small Monsters - Ben Frederick

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Frederick created the Small Monsters Project which aims to destimatize mentall health by investing in traumatic brain injury education and recover...

Long or Fun? Should I change Race Distances?

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Molly and Peter discuss a listener question about changing race distances if concerned about fitness before a race. This relates to changing categorie...

How to Change Disciplines - Ashton Lambie

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ashton Lambie is a professional cyclist and World Champion in Track cycling. He set the 4000m Individual Purusit record becoming the first person to b...

How Intense Do You Need to Be & What to Do in Race Week

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we discuss How intense you need to be. This question was sparked by a listener who has  gotten really into David Goggins and is curious how we ...

Endurance Nutrition, Power:Weight, Alcohol - Namrita Brooke

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Namrita Brooke, PhD is a Registered Dietician and coach to cyclists, runners, and multisport athletes of all levels. With 10 years coaching experience...

Workout Nutrition and Fueling

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we discuss fueling workouts and the periods around your workout. While simple to say there are many factors that make fueling optimally for work...

Lea Davison Live from Quebec Singletrack Experience 2023

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Retired Professional Mountain Bike Racer and Olympian Lea Davison (@leaeatsalot) joins Molly and Peter at Quebec Singletrack experience for a live Q&A...

Low Motivation and Training - Q&A

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss two questions around low motivation and cycling training. Another listener question around mid-season break (or low motivation mid season!)...

Constraints Led Approach to Mountain Biking - Rob Gray

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Peter and Rob Gray discuss the Constraints Led Approach, Ecological Dynamic and Non-Linear Pedagogy -- which are a lot of big words that mean they tal...

Altitude and Recovery After Races for Busy Adults

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Molly's experience adapting to altitude and then racing the Leadville Trail Marathon Running Race. Discussion of a question about recovery ...

Red-S and Women's Performance - Traci Carson

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Traci Carson PhD. is a researcher, scientist, professor and (still sometimes) athlete. She is passionate about helping active women fuel their bodies...

Focus, Flow and How Hard to Go

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss flow state, focus-refocus and a question about how hard to go in workouts.   Download or find links in your favorite Podcast App (remember...

The How and Why of Bike Packing - Mahshid Hadi

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mahshid Hadi ( @artventuree)  Now living in Canada, Mahshid left Iran to escape dangerous persecution. Her passion for bikepacking and gravel riding ...

Should You Increase Your Training Hours (or Cadence?)

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We tackle the common question of increasing training hours. In simple terms, more training time will increase fitness BUT when is more work just more ...

Can you Breathe Better? Luke Way of Isocapnic

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Way, an endurance coach and the founder of Isocapnic, joins us to talk about respiratory training and their tool the 'Breathe Way Better', which ...

7 Things to Do Post-Race

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Molly Hurford and Peter Glassford discuss things to consider doing after you finish your race. We range from taking off your clothes and cleaning up t...

Rethinking Your Position with Katy Bowman

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bestselling author, speaker, and a leader in the Movement movement, biomechanist Katy Bowman is back on the Consummate Athlete Podcast to discuss her...

Racing Sick & Race if You are Going to Race

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the difficult decision to race if you are sick and how this relates to our 'race if you are going to race' concept of committing to race. A...

What to do with Wearables and Data - Sian Allen

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Sian Allen (DrSianAllen on Twitter) is a Human Performance Researcher with a demonstrated history of working in agile & high-pressure industry R&D...

Transition to Cycling Outside & Continue Strength in Season?

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a few listener questions about how to keep doing strength as you transition to cycling outside and dealing with the 'less perfect' workouts...

Road Cycling Skills - Lorri Lown

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lorri Lown is a road cycling coach and virtual bike fitter from California. She discusses transitioning from the indoor bike or Peloton to outdoors an...

Q1 reflection - Spring Goal Review

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Molly and Peter discuss doing a review of the first quarter of the year (Q1) and how to set goals and look forward from where you are to where you wan...

Running Injuries and Strength with Chris Johnson the PT

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Johnson is a physical therapist based in Seattle, WA. With over twenty-plus years of experience as a clinician-coach and multi-sport athlete. Ch...

Consistency, Getting Faster Without Increasing TSS, Strength TSS

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we handle 3 related questions around TSS and Consistency. We discuss Consistency, Getting Faster Without Increasing TSS (or hours) and  Strengt...

Bike Pack Adventures - Chris Panasky

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Panasky runs BikePackAdventures a podcast and website that offers information about bike packing in Canada. We discuss bike packing gear, tactic...

TSS what is it good for ? (absolutely ... )

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss what Training Stress Score (TSS ) and the associated metrics, numbers and system can be used for and several of the limitations, common err...

Leadville, Altitude, Pacing - Eric Orton

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Orton is a running coach. Find him under the handle 'Born to Run Coach' on Instagram! He and Chris McDougall were on the show a few months ago d...

Early Season Gravel Races

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We field questions from listeners about early season gravel races including Paris to Ancaster. Thanks for all your questions! Download or find links i...

Travel, Languages & Mountain Biking - Raphaël Gagné

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are joined by Raphaël Gagné. He is Olympian and now Coach in the Mountain Bike XCO discipline from Quebec, Canada. Aside from racing Raph i...

Choosing Your Races / Events For the Year

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Peter and Molly discuss how you can choose what races to do this year. Even if you are looking at big rides or events it is worth planning ahead for s...

Racing MTB - Sandra Walter

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sandra Walter has been one of Canada's top Mountain bike racers for over 20 years. We discuss how she has evolved with the sport and managed to stay m...

Basics of Testing for Cycling at Home

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Molly and Peter discuss ways to test at home for cycling (a.k.a. field or performance testing). They touch on indoor, outdoor methods and how to test ...

4 Coaches on Aging Athletes

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We have a treat for you in this episode! We had 4 superb coaches discuss aging and today we share our favorite moments from our conversations. Today's...

Should You Use Heart Rate or Power?

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we discuss whether you should use heart rate or power to guide your training. Feeling is also thrown in the mix as a valuable metric that is oft...

Born to Run 2 - Christopher McDougal & Eric Orton

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher McDougal and Eric Orton discuss their new book Born to Run 2 (available here -  https://amzn.to/3GjQQKz ). They discuss the importance of...

Tiny Habits to Boost Your Training

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Molly and Peter Discuss 10 habits, methods and mindsets to help boost your training in the New Year. Many are tiny actions that can be done once that ...

Lifting Heavy $hit with Dr. Stacy Sims

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Stacy Sims returns for a 3rd episode. Stacy is one of our most popular guests on the show and for good reason. She is a researcher who has pushed ...

Reaching Goals in 2023

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Molly and Peter discuss goal setting and a few different ways to think about goals ranging from setting 'intentions' to more formal or specific method...

Recalibrating Goals and Planning - Rachel Pageau

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Pageau is a downhill mountain bike racer and Massage Therapist from Quebec, Canada who races for Jukebox Cycling. She discusses setting goals, ...

Doing a Post-Season Reflection

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

  Molly and Peter reflect on their year and race seasons and provide questions for you to reflect on your year. They take those reflections and start...

Finding Fun in Racing - Lea Davison

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lea Davison is a 2x Olympic mountain biker from Vermont. She co-founded Little Bellas MTB an organization that gets girls on bikes and is an active ad...

Risk Assessment with Ashton Lambie

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode goes over assessing risk from a few different perspectives. We include a short interview with Jukebox Cycling Racer (and World Champion)....

Preparing for Race Day with Alexey Vermeulen

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alexey Vermeulen returns to the podcast to talk about what goes into preparing for a race. We also discuss the Lifetime Gravel Racing and, of course, ...

Avoiding Training Burnout

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a few listener questions around the concept of burnout, low motivation and racing too much.      Download or find links in your favorite...

How Gravel Gave Amputee Sydney Marshburn Her Confidence Back

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sydney Marshburn was a competitive swimmer until a condiiton required amputation of her left leg above the knee in August of 2021. As she recovered sh...

Can You Set Fun Goals?

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss an interesting listener question about setting goals around group rides or other fun events that aren't the traditional outcome/race goals....

Intuitive Eating For Endurance Athletes - Caroline Burkholder

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Burkholder is an R.D. in Knoxville, Tennessee specializing in Eating Disorder and Intuitive Eating Nutrition Counseling.    Download or fi...

Training for Bike Packing

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a listener question about how to go about training for bike packing (and should you?). Topics covered include the demands on gear, experien...

Stress & Anxiety for Athletes - Saarim Aslam

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Saarim Aslam is a trainee clinical psychologist at Oxford and the  author of Making Sense of Anxiety and Stress: A Comprehensive Stress Management ...

2022 Cyclocross Q&A

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss listener questions about Cyclocross one of our favorite sports and one of the best disciplines to learn to love bikes!    Download or fin...

Eating During Endurance Training & Racing - Kylee Van Horn

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kylee Van Horn returns to the Podcast to answer Training and Racing Nutrition Questions. Topics include overcoming 'trouble' eating during races, inab...

Intervals on Trail? And how easy is too easy for endurance?

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss two listener questions today.  1) Should you do intervals on the trail or on the road/track?  2) How easy is too easy for endurance and h...

Passion Equals Payoff with Rebecca Rusch

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

7X World Champ. MTB & Gravel Hall of Famer. Author of Rusch To Glory. Emmy award winner for Blood Road. Founder of Rebecca's Private Idaho… Rebecca ...

Off-Season ... Now What?

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Molly and Peter talk about what to do once the big races are done. Should you race cyclocross, take time off or join a Zwift league?        Downlo...

Data Overload, Coach-Athlete Relationships & Cross-Training - Lucas Wall

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Molly talks to Coach Lucas Wall about Cross Training, the value of data and coaching Alexey Vermeulen since he was a young athlete - they discuss how ...

Your August Bucket List Race Pep Talk

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Breck Epic, Quebec Singletrack Experience, Leadville 100, Swiss Epic and our local favorite the 'Eager Beaver' are among the big August endurance race...

When You Should Change Race Categories or Distance

06 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A common question we get is about upgrading categories or 'cat-ing up' and about going longer in endurance events. We discuss pros/cons and consistera...

Racing Multiple Cycling Disciplines - Maghalie Rochette

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maghalie Rochette is a Professional Cyclist. She has won a Cyclocross World Cup and is a fan favorite due to her incredible personality and fun projec...

Race Day Mistakes (we have made)

30 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh off of 2022 Canadian MTB Nationals and Molly's Quebec Mega Trails Running race we talk  about mistakes we made this year, in past years and som...

Recovery from Big Races - Ellie Pell

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ellie Pell is a Professional Trail Runner. She recently completed the Western States 100 miler in California and in this episode discusses running lon...

Peaking and Taper for a Race

23 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the art and science of arriving fresh (but not stale) for a race including a listner question about whether it is 'normal' to need a bit mo...

HRV Biofeedback and Deep Breathing - Marco Altini, PhD

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback is a technique that can directly affect physiological and psychological factors through deep breathing exerc...

How to Start Running and Still be Running in 2 months

16 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss strategies for starting to incorporate running into your routine.        Download or find links in your favorite Podcast App (remember ...

Balancing Work, Life + Sport with Pierre Quinn

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pierre Quinn is a Global Educator, Facilitator and coach. He discusses the concept of balance, expectations and mistakes (and tactics!) for those wit...

Wearing Headphones While Training?

09 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss a listener question about wearing headphones while on training rides, group rides and even races. We go beyond safety and etiquette to the ...

GT-Cup Car Racing - Erika Hoffman

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Erika Hoffman is a Car Racer from Ottawa, Canada. She won the Formula Women Contest and now races on the European GT Cup automotive racing circuit. We...

5 Things To Help with Hot, Long Races - Western States Race

02 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Molly shares her experience pacing Karen Holland at the 2022 Western States 100 mile running race. This is one of the most competitive 100 milers in t...

Mental Skills for Bike Skills - Roxy Wieschollek

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Roxy Wieschollek, RoxyBike_Mallorca, is a Professional Cycling skills coach with extensive training in the psychological aspects involved in movement ...

Mid-Season Goal Review

25 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are at the end of June. Halfway through the calendar year and also halfway through many race seasons, if not already done in the case of the early ...

The Laws of Cycling - Ian Brisbin

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Brisbin is an avid cyclist and this passion manifests itself in his work, particularly through his focus upon the law as it relates to people on b...

Thriving during Injury and Time Away from Your Sport - Dr. James Slauson

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Peter and Jim discuss aging, injury and the Nonagenarian Olympics as Jim shares how his experience being away from cycling due to injury.    Downloa...

Is It Normal to Struggle with Returning to Racing?

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have a listener question that sparks discussion about struggling with Returning to Racing after the pandemic but also as we age, early in the...

Preparing for Races at Altitude as a busy adult

12 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Peter and Molly discuss 2 Listner questions about preparing for altitude and how to wade through the science for 'optimal' or 'elite' preparation whil...

Entrepreneurship & Ironman - Sara Gross

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sara Gross is the CEO of Feisty Media she was a professional triathlete before pursuing several businesses in endurance sport. Live Feisty Media is a ...