The Norwegian Method, Recovery & The Health-Performance Tradeoff – Dr. David Lipman (#7)

The Norwegian Method Demystified – Dr. David Lipman Joins the Show!

Dr. David Lipman has one of the most fascinating careers at the intersection of health, fitness, and technology. A medical doctor, endurance athlete, and coach, David also hosts The Norwegian Method podcast, where he’s had rare behind-the-scenes access to the Norwegian triathlon team that’s been redefining the sport in recent years.

In this episode, we go deep on the training philosophies and human-centered approach that have made Norwegian athletes like Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden so dominant. But we don’t stop there—this conversation quickly branches out into big-picture questions about performance, health, and behavior change.

We talk about:

* What actually defines “The Norwegian Method” (and why most people get it wrong)

* How the Norwegians use testing to gain buy-in and drive results

* Lactate tracking: misunderstood fad or powerful tool?

* Continuous monitors (lactate, glucose, ketones): the future or a distraction?

* Why training adaptation—not training load—matters most

* The tradeoff between health and performance (and how to find your balance)

* Why most tracking is pointless without action

* David’s advice for young coaches and health professionals

* The big unsolved problem in health: behavior change

We also dive into David’s personal tracking philosophy, his take on the future of health and AI, and why curiosity has been his guiding principle across medicine, coaching, and tech.

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or just fascinated by cutting-edge thinking in health and fitness, you’re going to love this one.👇

Connect with David:

https://www.drdavidjlipman.com/

Newsletter: “Nexus Health & Performance”

Podcast: 1 % Better - Hidden Stories in Sport

Instagram: @drdavidlipman

Episode breakdown:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Dr. David Lipman, expert on health, fitness & the Norwegian Method

01:16 – The Norwegian Method: What defines it and why it works

04:05 – Training volume: How much work Norwegian triathletes really do

05:21 – Are today’s athletes doing more than ever before?

07:07 – The role of testing: Precision, buy-in, and performance

08:44 – Lactate tracking: Overrated or essential for endurance?

11:06 – Continuous lactate monitors: Game changer or gimmick?

14:47 – Measuring adaptation: Simple ways to track progress

19:39 – Tracking too much? Why data without action is useless

22:36 – Healthcare parallels: Data collection and minimal intervention

26:40 – What David tracks personally (and what he ignores)

31:31 – The future of health: Will advice change in 30 years?

35:22 – Coaching impact: Helping people for life, not just sport

39:19 – Advice for young professionals in health & fitness

43:18 – The big problem to solve: Changing human behavior

47:33 – Continuous ketone monitors: How they work & challenges

50:21 – Generalist vs specialist: The tradeoffs in health and sport

52:33 – Health vs performance: Finding your balance

55:00 – Why curiosity drives progress in health and fitness

58:11 – Lessons from crossing health, tech, and coaching worlds

1:01:22 – Wrap up: David’s personal mission and key takeaways

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johngetstrong.substack.com