

The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place
Dr. Jeff Sankoff
Jeff Sankoff is the TriDoc, a physician who will do the research so you don't have to in order to understand if any of those things marketed to endurance athletes can deliver close to what they promise. Before you put anything in or on your body, understand what the science says by listening to an expert who has done the work for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 15, 2022 • 1h 4min
BOA/Joe Wilson interviews the TriDoc
In this episode:BOA is a new novel way of getting your salt supplements via transmucosal delivery and the product promises a LOT. How much of what they are selling is based on science and how much is just the usual hype? I take a look and give you an overview of what you can expect. Joe Wilson is a successful age grouper and YouTuber he is also well know on the socials as an affable, fun loving guy who was recently featured in a Slowtwitch profile for his exploits as a supreme cheerleader at IM races. He joins me today to turn the tables by interviewing me. Many listeners have requested more information about my story and how I have found success at racing at an older age. Joe does a great job exploring my past and unlocking some of the keys to my successes.Segments:[05:15]- BOA[19:25]- Joe Wilson Interviews the TriDoc

Jul 1, 2022 • 48min
AIRWAAV/Jordan Bryden
In this episode:The AIRWAAV is an oral appliance that repositions the tongue and is supposed to improve respiratory mechanics and possibly athletic performance. As always, the product's website is full of big claims but what does the science say? Jordan Bryden is the current World Champion of the Ultraman a three day event that encompasses a 10k open water swim, a 260 plus mile bike over two days and a 50 plus mile run on the third day. But he is much more than that! He is a professional triathlete with wins at the 70.3 distance and significant accomplishments in Ironman and is an exceptional photographer. He joins me to talk about all of it.Segments:[06:30]- AIRWAAV[17:19]- Jordan BrydenLinksJordan's Facebook page @jordanbryden on Instagram Jordan's Website @jordanbryden on X

Jun 17, 2022 • 1h
The how and why of GI distress/Juliet Hochman
In this episode:Gastrointestinal (GI) distress is an exceedingly common complaint among endurance athletes but despite years of research the actual reason for why this occurs remains mostly speculative. Recent research looked at whether or not what an athlete eats and how much of it can play a role in the development of GI issues during a race and the authors set out to determine if the underlying cause of the problem is inflammation and injury. I review their findings and give some specific recommendations with a special guest. Also, a conversation with the amazing Juliet Hochman. This former Olympic rower has lived her best life doing things that most of us can only dream of and on top of that has won world championships in several disciplines of multisport. I try to find out what makes her tick and get some practical advice that we can all use in our entertaining and informative conversation.Segments:[05:48]- Gi distress[25:53]- Juliet HochmanLinksJuliet's Facebook page @juliethochman on Instagram Juliet's Website

Jun 3, 2022 • 56min
Hydration status and RPE/Eoin Everard
In this episode:Hydration status is an important factor for performance especially in warmer environments. Recently though, research has emerged suggesting that as you become dehydrated it not only becomes harder to perform at the same level but the perception of effort is also affected. I look at the science and evaluate how much the effect is, when it becomes an issue and what can be done to prevent it. Plus, a conversation with Irish physiotherapist and competitive runner Eoin Everard on how to understand running injuries so that we can better strategize how to avoid them.Segments:[8:33]- Hydration and perception of effort[20:33]- Eoin Everard LinksEoin's Facebook page Eoin's Website

May 20, 2022 • 48min
Alkaline water/DeDe Griesbauer
In this episode:Alkaline water has been promoted for all manner of health benefits but is there any rationale for why this would work and any science to support the claims that it does? I look at what this basic solution is, what it is supposed to be able to do and whether or not there is any supporting evidence. Plus an interview with ageless DeDe Griesbauer. DeDe has been a professional triathlete for more than two decades and despite turning her attention to the ultra distance continues to break records and have success. Find out what makes her tick and why she thinks that she has had such incredible staying power.Segments:[07:59]- Alkaline water[19:15]- Dede Griesbauer LinksDede's Facebook page @dedegriesbauer on Instagram Dede's Website

May 6, 2022 • 49min
Psychological stress and its association with overuse injuries/Sam Renouf, CEO of PTO
In this episode:Overuse injuries are very common amongst professional triathletes and high performing age groupers alike. The conventional wisdom has always been that these are due to overloading training combined with insufficient recovery. New research now also suggests an important role for psychological and psychosocial stressors as well. I review the published evidence. Also, a discussion with the CEO of the Professional Triathlete's Organization (PTO) Sam Renouf. Sam educates me on the reasoning for the PTO and how it is aiming to improve our sport for professionals and age groupers alike and why we should celebrate their success and collaboration with WTC and Clash.Segments:[06:36]- Overuse injuries and the association with psychological stressors[17:45]- Sam RenoufLinksSam Renouf Sam's Website

Apr 22, 2022 • 52min
Long Covid/Joe Friel
In this episode:Covid numbers have dropped and we may be in to a new phase of the pandemic but for millions of people symptoms persist in the form of long Covid. Worse, there may be as yet unknown long term consequences for young people as they age. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts recently published a paper that summarizes what is known about long covid in athletes and why some of it may portend for bad outcomes in the decades to come. I review their findings. Also, my conversation with Joe Friel with tips for how to get the most out of Training Peaks and his insights on the Triathlete's Training Bible.Segments:[08:28]- Long Covid and athletes[21:02]- Joe FrielLinksJoe Friel:Twitter: @jfrielYou Tube channelWebsite

Apr 8, 2022 • 49min
PREPD/Tim Don
In this episode:Staying hydrated is an important contributor to success in endurance racing especially in warmer environments. A product that has been around in Oceania and is now available in the US has it's roots as an oral rehydration solution for children with cholera. It's makers claim that the same technology that works to improve outcomes in diarrheal illness make it a 'revolutionary hydration product' for athletes as well. Is this claim backed up by science? I take a look. Plus an interview with the man in the halo, professional triathlete Tim Don whose recovery from a dramatic injury is representative to many of what triathlon is about-overcoming tremendous adversity through hard work and dedication to achieve a goal. Through it all, Tim has retained the infectious smile and affable qualities that have made him one of the more popular athletes on the circuit. We discuss his history in the sport, his injury and recovery and where he goes next.Segments:[06:23]- PREPD[21:12]- Tim DonLinksTim's websiteTriDoc Podcast FB group

Mar 25, 2022 • 56min
Training at Altitude/Skye Moench
In this episode:There is a longstanding belief that living and maybe training at altitude confers benefits on performance especially when an athlete goes to compete at a lower level. The science on this matter is a little less certain. Yes, there are physiological adaptations that occur but do these actually translate in to better results? I review the evidence. Plus, an interview with Skye Moench:Skye is a professional triathlete who specializes in long-course triathlon. She is a multiple Ironman and 70.3 Champion. In 2021, Skye ended the year ranked 7th in the PTO World Rankings. Segments:[05:15]- Training at altitude[20:08]- Skye MoenchLinksSkye's Facebook page @skyemoench on Instagram @skyemoench on X Skye's Website Skye on YouTube

Mar 11, 2022 • 54min
Exercise, sleep and memory/Heather Fuhr
In this episode:The impact that good quality sleep has on exercise performance has been pretty well understood for some time now. What is becoming clearer is how exercise also has a role in improving the quality of sleep. In addition, there is a growing consensus that both sleep and exercise are beneficial to cognitive function and memory. I explore what is known about this and speak to some prominent researchers in the field. Plus, Heather Fuhr was one of a trio of dominant Canadian women in Ironman triathlon in the 90'2 and early 2000's. Fuhr won the 1997 World Championship in Kona and had numerous top ten finishes on the big island to go along with her many wins at Lake Placid, California, Japan and others. She joins me to discuss her storied career and what she has been doing to stay active in triathlon since her retirement.Segments:[06:59]- Exercise, sleep and memory[18:04]- Heather Fuhr