The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

The Lumen advertises itself as a handheld device that is the first of its kind able to help users 'hack their metabolism'. What is it, how does it work and more importantly is it of any use to the endurance athlete? Also, Mario Mejia embodies the saying 'triathlon changed my life' in every possible way. From the depths of despair, he leveraged everything that multisport has to offer to turn his life around and become a role model to many and at the same time give back to as many more as he could. Hear his story as he prepares to tackle his first Ironman race in Cozumel.Ironman Hacks: https://ironmanhacks.comMario Mejia:Personal Instagram username: @rico.chicoCharity Instagram: @heartsofempowermentCharity Link: www.heartsofempowerment.org/ironman

In winter when daylight hours shrink and temperatures drop we tend to get much less sun exposure due to staying indoors and putting on more clothes to stay warm. While this obviously has the benefit of keeping us from freezing to death it can also decrease the amount of vitamin D that we are able to produce in our skin. Vitamin D deficiency is a real entity but it is not nearly as common as is the practice of taking vitamin D supplements might have you think. Supplementation has become quite popular especially amongst athletes but the question remains, is it necessary and does it actually confer any benefits? Also, Brodie Sharpe is the producer of the Run Smarter podcast and as a physiotherapist manages all manner of running injuries. He joins me to discuss common running mistakes and injuries as well as his thoughts on orthotics.The Run Smarter Podcast: www.runsmarter.online 

Triathlons are great for the mind and on the whole for health and well being but long distance events can definitely take a toll on our bodies. Researchers have known for some time that markers of tissue injury and even death rise after races but what this means remains unclear. I review some of the recent data on this subject and give some insights on what it all might mean for the longterm health of the long distance triathlete. Also, Ironman racing has returned. Despite an increase in cases, Arizona gave the go ahead for the 70.3 event in Tempe. Bryan Dunn was one of the many competitors to participate and he gives his insights on how it went as well as some thoughts on what it might mean for racing in the near and mid-term.Triathlete magazine:https://www.triathlete.com/active-pass/#_active-passTriDoc Podcast Patreon page:https://www.patreon.com/TriDocPodcast

While women can do pretty much anything men can athletically this doesn't mean that there aren't important differences between the sexes. The most important of those relates to the female menstrual cycle with its complex interplay of hormones and their effects on various systems and cells. As scientists and physiologists have learned more about those effects, some have suggested that women may perform differently depending on where they are within their cycle. But is this true? I am joined by Shama Padwarthan, an obstetrician and gynecologist to discuss this and to review the evidence. Plus, a conversation with Michael Bowers of local bike shop Campus Cycles to learn how 2020 has impacted his business and how he is planning for the future.Social media for Michael Bowers:IG: cyclingmichaelFor Campus Cycles:IG: campuscyclesdenvercampuscycles.com

Returning to training after Covid-19 seems like it should only be a matter of waiting for symptoms to resolve. Unfortunately for many this takes a really long time and for others, an insidious, underlying issue may remain even when other symptoms have all disappeared. Myocarditis or inflammation of the heart is a recognized complication of Covid infection and can be fatal in athletes in whom it is unrecognized. I review the recommendations on safe return to training after infection in the context of this potential complication. Khem Suthiwan is triathlete, triathlon coach and ambassador for the Ironman and USAT Foundations and has an impressive career in the sport not only as an athlete but in helping many, many others find their own potential. She joins me to talk about her experiences and what motivates her to motivate others.

We often hear of overtraining but it seems quite nebulous. Is it really a thing? How is it defined and diagnosed and treated and most importantly can it be prevented? These are surprisingly tough questions to answer and I explain why as well as the current state of understanding of this complex issue. Endurance athletes and triathletes spend a lot of time preparing their bodies for competition but are they preparing their minds? Frazer Atkinson, a mental performance coach joins me to discuss this important aspect of getting the best from ourselves.

Since it's appearance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing kinesiotape has become all the rage among amateur athletes as a means of rehabilitating injury, preventing new injuries and enhancing performance. But aside from accessorizing the athlete's look with colorful racing stripes, is kinesiotaping really all that? What does the science say about these claims? I take a look and fill you in. Bill Plock is the owner and operator of a Colorado social media success story. 303Cycling and 303Triathlon are well known repositories for all things on 2 wheels as well as multisport in the Rocky Mountain Region and he joins me to talk about the impact of 2020 on local race organizers as well as his thoughts on what might come to pass in 2021.

Epsom salts have been advocated as a cure all for most anything that ails you for more than four hundred years. Despite that, there is almost no science to either support or refute the claims that many make in recommending baths with Epsom salts as treatment. I look at the history behind this folk remedy and explore the rationale for its widespread use and whether or not it is something that you should really be using. Plus, the pandemic has been devastating for businesses around the world but one industry that has seen surprising success is the bike industry. I am joined by a representative of American Bicycle Group, owners of three different bike brands to discuss the state of the industry in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.

Triathlon Taren posted a pretty grim status update in which he shared his frustrations related to weight gain and difficulties with maintaining fitness. But what he attributed this to has led many physician triathletes including myself to be disappointed that someone with so much influence would be so reckless in propagating unsubstantiated theories. I look at his assertions and provide my own unsolicited assessment for what really ails him and how you can avoid the same fate.Nate Heath joins me for the last of my conversations on increasing diversity in triathlon. Nate is an aboriginal athlete in Australia and gives me a history lesson on indigenous peoples in that country as well as insight to how his club Tri Mob is making inroads in the sport there.Medical Question01:50Nat Heath interview09:04

Long hours in the saddle can be uncomfortable but made even more so if you develop a saddle sore. For some people these painful lesions are recurrent and can be a significant problem during the summer months. What are saddle sores, how are they treated and most importantly how can they be prevented? In part 3 of my series on diversity in triathlon, I speak with Linus Pagusera, an Asian American with a love of the sport and some unique insights from the perspective of an immigrant and a member of another under represented community in multisport.