Jennifer Jacobs is one of the world's most recognizable personal trainers. She is the founder of J Method Fitness, spent 3 years as an instructor for Peloton, and has been training people virtually for more than a decade. She discusses how she got into the digital space (2:09), the keys to leading a successful workout (5:06), her training philosophy (6:37), why home is the optimal place to workout (11:22), how boxing is a great workout (14:26), her approach to nutrition (16:54), why she's against counting macronutrients (19:51), the buy-in needed to reach your fitness goals (21:50), how COVID-19 has changed her motherhood experience and how she gets her kids to get moving indoors (27:33), the importance of mental health (29:26), and her recovery tips and tricks (31:50). Support the show

Ryan Holiday is one of the most popular writers in the world and has authored bestsellers such as The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and Stillness Is the Key. His books have become wildly successful among high-performing people and teams, including Rory McIlroy and the New England Patriots. Ryan discusses finding his calling as an author (3:15), dropping out of college to pursue writing (4:22), writing his first book (9:33), managing ego (12:34), the difference between confidence and arrogance (13:33), The Last Dance (15:00), defining stillness (21:35), trusting WHOOP to tell him to rest (26:23), practicing patience (30:03), weighing different points of view (37:18), using autonomy to measure success (41:48), his goals (43:39), why greatness shouldn’t be determined by external factors (46:38), and how WHOOP helps him optimize his life (48:32). Plus, Will answers your questions in this week's mailbag (50:40). Support the show

The tables have been turned for this week’s podcast. Will Ahmed changes roles from host to guest as we share his discussion with NOBULL founders Michael Schaeffer and Marcus Wilson on their podcast, Behind the Horns. Will dives deep on the founding of WHOOP and our mission to unlock human performance. He shares what WHOOP is all about (2:13), why Lebron James and Michael Phelps were among the first WHOOP users (3:09), the inspiration for creating WHOOP (4:08), trying to unlock the secrets of the human body (5:05), how WHOOP tracks strain and recovery (11:04), understanding HRV and why it plays a huge role in recovery (12:07), how WHOOP measures sleep (15:16), the importance of slow-wave and REM sleep (16:11), how WHOOP can indicate you might be getting sick (19:28), the guiding philosophy in designing WHOOP (24:17), why high-performing people focus on sleep and recovery (28:20), how WHOOP helps parents (33:02), and ways to better optimize your travel (39:51). Plus, Will answers your questions in this week's listener mailbag (44:16),Support the show

Dylan Frittelli is one of the top golfers in the world and is coming off a strong rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2019. He joins Will Ahmed to share his story, what drives him, and how he uses WHOOP as part of his scientific and methodical approach to training. Dylan discusses being a 6-sport star in South Africa and his lifelong dream to play sports professionally (3:17), coming to America and being a 3-time Academic All-American at Texas (8:19), teaming up with Jordan Spieth in college and winning a national championship (9:00), how he knew Spieth was destined for success (11:12), how there's little to separate the best golfers in the world (12:04), watching Tiger Woods growing up and now competing against him (14:00), developing mental skills to succeed on the course (18:38), how golf is a humbling game (24:17), tips he's learned to optimize traveling (26:37), what his workouts look like (31:14), winning his first PGA Tour event (32:14), why he doesn't look at the leaderboard (33:44), how WHOOP has helped him improve his life and career (36:10), prioritizing short-term goals over long-term goals (44:15), and why he went 5 weeks without picking up a club when the PGA shut down (49:15). Plus, Will answers your questions in this week's mailbag (52:17). Support the show

WHOOP data continues to be used by doctors and researchers as they try and learn more about coronavirus. The Duke University COVID-19 Research Taskforce is putting WHOOP straps on coronavirus patients to track how they are recovering from the disease, both in the hospital and after they are discharged.  Lead Clinical Medical Physiologist Dr. Jeroen Molinger discusses his coronavirus research (3:27), the ICU experience (5:10), creating survivors and not victims (8:14), buying time with ventilators (8:56), what researchers are hoping to learn about BMI’s role in coronavirus outcomes (9:19), why heart rate variability could be a good predictor of post-COVID immune response (10:42), study goals (14:53), why we still don’t know enough about asymptomatic cases (19:57), the importance of tracking HRV (23:10), COVID’s effect on sleep (24:29), and what he’s learned from his WHOOP data while working during the pandemic (25:51).Support the show

This week, we’re highlighting how WHOOP members are fighting the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve put together a compilation of interviews with people from across the country who’ve either been inflicted with COVID-19, or are working on the front lines to keep everyone safe. Navy SEAL and combat medic Steve Viola discusses working at a field hospital in New York City (3:40), why this pandemic reminds him of his time at war (4:08), how workers converted a 92,000 square-foot facility into a hospital in less than a week (6:57), and how WHOOP is helping medical personnel stay safe while treating patients (9:48). Grocery store worker and dietitian Scott Brown has seen a major shift in his data working on the front lines. He has reported a significant spike in day strain (15:55), calories (18:42), and his recovery (19:34). Brian Eisenberg was the first known WHOOP member with coronavirus. He discusses his illness (23:03), how his recovery and HRV plummeted (25:47), and his spike in respiratory rate before symptoms materialized (28:50). David Frankel came down with COVID-19 in early-March. He shares how widespread his exposure was (31:27), what his crash looked like on WHOOP (36:21), and how the first day of symptoms marked his worst WHOOP data ever (37:36). New York City law student Peter Machtiger lost his sense of smell and taste due to coronavirus (42:32). He also reported a significant jump in resting heart rate (43:33) and respiratory rate (44:00).Support the show

Tom Segura is one of the biggest acts in comedy right now and recently released his latest Netflix special, Ball Hog. He joins the WHOOP Podcast to talk about his career and how to best optimize his WHOOP data. Tom discusses why he wanted to be a comic and how he broke into the business (2:25), discovering stand-up (6:25), what it was like the first time he took the stage (10:21), the rush of performing (13:33), how he develops new material (16:35), why this age of political correctness gives him an advantage (19:48), finding WHOOP and participating in the Sober October campaign (21:38), how WHOOP has helped him sleep better (23:15), discovering he has an Olympian-like resting heart rate (25:19), breaking down heart rate variability (26:33), using the WHOOP Journal to track THC and other supplements and behaviors (31:29), working on material while high (35:28), performing in English and Spanish (38:10), and tips for aspiring comics (39:10). Plus, Will Ahmed answers your questions in this week's mailbag (44:20).Support the show

In what would have been Masters week, we are excited to share our sit down with the world’s top golfer, Rory McIlroy. He joins Will Ahmed for a wide-ranging conversation about his career, what drives him, and how he believes WHOOP has improved his performance both on and off the course. Rory and Will discuss how it was Rory's lifelong dream to become a professional golfer (4:43), how he idolized Tiger Woods growing up (6:53), how his parents supported him unconditionally (8:55), golfing from sunrise to sunset (12:45), why his 2011 collapse at The Masters made him a better golfer (15:38), winning his first major just two months later (24:00), searching for an edge and discovering WHOOP (30:32), how WHOOP has altered his training methods (34:06), why a green recovery often means success on the course (37:20), his win at the 2019 FedEx Cup (38:13), how he views alcohol consumption differently because of WHOOP (45:17), how he mentally prepares for tournaments (53:08), why he admires Justin Thomas (1:00:54), why he's inspired by Tom Brady (1:02:17), and how WHOOP is improving his career and helping him lead a healthier life (1:04:34).Support the show

At WHOOP, we have been gathering information on coronavirus and we have already uncovered fascinating insights into this terrible disease. WHOOP is investigating a potential connection between changes in respiratory rate and COVID-19 symptoms and is partnering with the Cleveland Clinic and Central Queensland University to study this possible link. Emily Capodilupo joins Will Ahmed to discuss why WHOOP is tracking coronavirus (1:16), the details of our research efforts (2:32), what we have learned so far (4:32), the importance of detecting who is sick (8:12), how data can help (12:21), what we know about respiratory rate and how consistent it is (13:17), why accurate information is tricky to obtain during this time (16:25), understanding exercise intolerance (21:02), and how you can track your respiratory rate using WHOOP (23:33). Plus, Will answers your questions in this week's mailbag (26:00).Support the show

Dr. Nicholas Christakis of Yale University has emerged as one of the nation's leading experts on coronavirus. He joins Will Ahmed to discuss how the virus started, why it's spreading so quickly, and what we can do to limit the number of cases moving forward. Nicholas and Will discuss how China used a "social nuclear weapon" to address the outbreak (6:38), what experts believe may have started the pandemic (11:33), how many cases one case can reproduce (12:18), mortality rates compared to other diseases (14:47), how Korea was successful in combating COVID-19 (18:33), what led to Italy's collapse (19:49), the risk healthcare workers are facing (23:05), the best and worst-case scenarios for the United States (25:08), the importance of testing and the next steps the US should take (32:33), if we will experience a second wave of coronavirus (37:30), how technology can help us fight the disease (40:17), why young people aren't out of the woods (49:30), and the importance of trusting experts (55:14).Support the show