Human Performance Outliers Podcast with Zach Bitter

Royi Metser, Founder and CEO of Avelo Running, discusses the intersection of technology and running footwear. He shares insights on how smart shoes can predict injuries by analyzing mechanical loading. The conversation delves into the evolution of running gear, emphasizing the importance of wearables like foot pods and heart rate monitors. Metser also explores consumer trends in subscription coaching and the future of personalized running experiences, all while addressing the critical balance between training load and recovery.

Dr. Matthew Cook, a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science, dives deep into the fascinating world of fat oxidation, providing key insights for endurance athletes. He discusses how monitoring fat oxidation rates can optimize performance, alongside dietary strategies for training. The importance of tailored fueling strategies for various endurance events is highlighted, along with the roles of caffeine and blackcurrant in enhancing exercise physiology. Cook emphasizes collaboration between research and practical applications, urging a broader engagement with scientific findings.

Nick Bare is the founder of Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN), and has built a large brand around sharing his journey chasing fitness goals. Recently, Nick and BPN launched a Last Man Standing event called, G1M Ultramarathon on his ranch in Texas. It went viral despite little pre event mainstream ultra media coverage, but rather exploded from participants and BPN creating live and pre/post event content around it. We chat about Nick's current build for an Ironman, the future of BPN Ultramarathon and their move into the endurance world. Nick: nickbare.com | IG: @nickbarefitness | Podcast: Nick Bare Podcast | YouTube: @nickbarefitness | Book: Go One More: Find the Clarity to Make Intentional, Life-Changing Choices Endurance Training Simplified Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

Brady joined me to chat about some shoes we have been trying out the last couple of months. Shoes we covered include; Speedland RX:FPY, Tracksmith Eliot Racer, Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite III, New Balance 1080v14 & Rebel v4, ON Cloudsurfer II, Brooks Hyperion Max III & Launch 11. Shoe card specs for the models we discussed are available on Instagram at @hpopodcast Endurance Training Simplified Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter Brady: https://www.physiologicallyspeaking.com/ - X: @B_Holmer - IG: @brady.j.holmer - Strava: Brady Holmer

Phil Gore recently broke the Backyard Ultra World Record at Dead Cow Gully, completing 119 yards (6.7 km loop), which totaled 495.86 miles (798.014 kilometers). Phil plans to compete at Big's Backyard, which hosts the Backyard Ultra World Championship. Phil and I dive into all that goes into the preparation and competition within Backyard Ultras, and why bigger numbers are coming. Phil: @phil.gore.ultrarunner | Strava Endurance Training Simplified Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

WSER 100 is becoming one of the most recognized and high stakes 100 mile ultramarathons for both professionals and ultramarathon participants. we can learn a lot about how participants are preparing and completing this event. Here are some things to consider from what we learned at the 2025 WSER 100. Heat adaptation and in race management The power of race day expectations The psychology around group and competitive pressure Considerations around varied weather events The role of super shoes on the trails Endurance Training Simplified Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Newsletter: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com - IG: @zachbitter - X/Tw: @zbitter - FB: @zbitterendurance - Strava: Zach Bitter

Jeff Garmire is a professional ultramarathon athlete, coach, author, podcast host, and one of a very few to have participated in all Cocodona 250 events. Long ultras are not even long for Jeff, as he has also completed some monster through hikes like John Muir Trail, Arizona Trail, Continental Divide and more. He is currently gearing up for an unsupported attempt on the Appalachian Trail in August. Endurance Training Simplified Series Zach’s Low Carb Endurance Approach Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Newsletter: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com - IG: @zachbitter - X/Tw: @zbitter - FB: @zbitterendurance - Strava: Zach Bitter Jeff: freeoutside.com | IG: @thefreeoutside | YouTube: @JeffGarmire | Podcast: Free Outside Podcast

Meghan Canfield has a deep history and love for the WSER 100 Endurance Run, completing it 13 times and finishing in the top 10 on 10 occasions. She has been a long time friend, and big influence on the ultramarathon community. She joined me to discuss why the WSER 100 is unique, her many experiences with this event, as well as growing with the sport. Meghan: zenithcoaches.com/about-us/meghan-canfield - IG: @runningmegleg Endurance Training Simplified Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Newsletter: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com - IG: @zachbitter - X/Tw: @zbitter - FB: @zbitterendurance - Strava: Zach Bitter 

This episode covers some current topics in the ultramarathon world. Topics covered include; big name injuries a result of high volume training and shoes, has ultramarathon growth and access resulted in cheating, Gerda Steyn the Queen of Comrades. Edit: Gerda Steyn has won Comrades 4x: '19, '23, '24, '25 Endurance Training Simplified Series Zach’s Low Carb Endurance Approach Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Newsletter: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com - IG: @zachbitter - X/Tw: @zbitter - FB: @zbitterendurance - Strava: Zach Bitter

James Pieratt of Wild Hunt Conditioning joined me to catch up before he kicks off his 1,100 mile journey along the West Coast and discuss the famous Rarámuri Tribe's endurance practices and lifestyle. Audio Endurance Training Simplified Series Zach’s Low Carb Endurance Approach Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Amazon Store: amazon.com/shop/zachbitter Zach’s Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach’s Newsletter: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com - IG: @zachbitter - X/Tw: @zbitter - FB: @zbitterendurance - Strava: Zach Bitter  James: wildhuntconditioning.com - IG: @wildhuntconditioning