Mikkipedia Expanding Metabolic Flexibility: Training for Chaos with Dr. Mike T. Nelson
Oct 7, 2025
Dr. Mike T. Nelson, a leading fitness and nutrition educator, dives into the intricacies of metabolic and physiological flexibility. He outlines four key pillars: temperature, pH, fuels, and air, discussing their roles in enhancing adaptability. Mike explains the benefits of cold plunges and saunas, emphasizing their psychological and physiological impacts. He also explores acid buffering, breathing techniques, and the nuances of CO2 tolerance. Tune in for practical insights on training for chaos and improving resilience in everyday life!
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Physiologic Flexibility Framework
- Physiologic flexibility expands metabolic flexibility to multiple paired systems the body must tightly regulate.
- Mike identifies four pillars: temperature, pH (acid/base), expanded fuels, and air (CO2/O2).
Modern Comfort Reduces Adaptation
- Modern living narrows our exposure to environmental extremes and reduces adaptive capacity.
- Small, regular exposures (cold shower, outdoor exercise) restore some of that lost range without extreme measures.
DIY Cold Plunge And Personal Testing
- Mike built a DIY cold plunge from a freezer in 2019 and used daily cold immersion through COVID.
- He ran personal experiments including glucose checks and long exposures to learn practical effects firsthand.
