Dr. Alison Heather, a former academic professor and Chief Scientific Officer for Plasmaide, shares insights into the innovative supplement Plasmaide. She explains its origins, benefits for athletes, and how it enhances nitric oxide production compared to beetroot juice. The conversation highlights the adaptogenic properties of Plasmaide, its role in carbohydrate metabolism, and practical advice for safe usage. Dr. Heather emphasizes consulting healthcare professionals before starting any new supplement regime, ensuring athletes make informed choices for peak performance.
Recent bike crashes during races highlight the critical safety measures needed in competitive cycling to protect athletes.
The discussion on Plasmaide supplements emphasizes their potential benefits for athletes, especially regarding nitric oxide production and carbohydrate metabolism.
The Ironman World Championship policy changes raise concerns about gender equity in endurance sports, underscoring the need for continued advocacy for female athletes.
Deep dives
Weekend of Bike Crashes
The discussion highlights a recent weekend marked by multiple bike crashes affecting several athletes, emphasizing the inherent risks associated with cycling. Among those impacted were athletes in the UK and Switzerland, alongside professional triathletes facing grave injuries, such as Hayden Wild, who suffered broken ribs and a suspected punctured lung. The impact of such injuries on an athlete's season can be profound, as it not only halts training but also jeopardizes upcoming races. This situation brings to light the critical importance of safety measures in competitive cycling and the psychological effects of crashes on athletes.
Performance Highlights and Challenges
The podcast features notable athletic performances, particularly Hayden Wild’s impressive 10K race just prior to his accident, where he nearly broke the New Zealand road 10K record. This stark contrast underscores how quickly fortunes can change in competitive sports, illustrating the unpredictability of athletic careers. It also highlights the pressure on athletes to perform consistently, particularly when recovering from injuries, as seen in Wild’s potential absence from critical upcoming races. The discussions touch on the delicate balance between success and setbacks in the realm of professional sports, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity.
Trends in Endurance Events
The podcast shares insights into evolving trends in around triathlon and long-distance events, including the recent Oceania Championships in Runaway Bay that showcased innovative racing formats. This event featured a rapid super sprint format and multiple rounds, appealing to both athletes and spectators with its dynamic nature. Key performances included Nicole Van Der K. winning the women's event and Luke Schofield maintaining a family legacy by securing the men's title. These developments indicate a growing interest in varied competition styles within the sport, potentially attracting a broader audience and encouraging new participants.
Upcoming T100 Events and Ironman Series
The announcement of the 2026 T100 event in the Gold Coast is a significant development for triathlon in the region, aiming to attract more international participation. The podcast discusses the potential impacts of this event on local athletes and communities, suggesting that it could revitalize interest in the sport. Additionally, conversations revolve around the potential for the Ironman Pro Series to begin in Taupo, New Zealand, which could further establish the region as a hub for professional triathlon events. This potential expansion reflects a growing commitment to enhancing competitive opportunities for both elites and amateurs alike.
Controversial Decisions and Gender Equality in Sports
A major topic of discussion involves Ironman’s recent policy changes regarding World Championship slots and gender equity, igniting debate about the implications for female athletes. The decision to revert to proportional representation for slots for the World Championships has drawn criticism, particularly concerning gender equality in endurance sports. The concerns voiced highlight a perceived regression in opportunities for female triathletes, contrasting sharply with movements toward inclusivity in other sports. This discourse emphasizes the need for ongoing advocacy for fair representation and support for women's participation in competitive athletics.
We catch up on the tri news and racing from the weekend and give our thoughts on the announcement that the IM World Champs is moving back to Kona.
Alison Heather is a former academic professor whose research has focused for over 24 years’ on the physiology of steroid hormones and their role in health and disease. She has international recognition for her development of bioassays for the detection of steroid hormones. Alison acts as an advisor to many High Performance Sport Teams including those focusing on female athlete health, triathlon, cycling, running and sports supplements and is currently the Chief Scientific Officer for plasmaide
In this conversation, we discuss the supplement Plasmaide, its origins and its benefits for athletes. Dr Heather explains the science behind nitric oxide production, the ingredients in Plasmaide and how it compares to other supplements like beetroot juice. The discussion covers both acute and chronic benefits of Plasmaide, its adaptogenic properties and its influence on carbohydrate metabolism. Dr. Heather also provides practical advice for using Plasmaide safely and effectively, emphasizing the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
(0:00:00) – A weekend of bike crashes
(0:09:22) – T100 goes to the Gold Coast in 2026
(0:15:51) – The racing from IM703 Venice and IRONMAN Australia
(0:24:16) – IRONMAN World Champs moves back to Kona
