Today, I welcome ultra-endurance athlete and world record holder Zach Bitter to The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show for an insightful conversation on the extreme physical and mental demands of ultra-marathons. Zach shares his mindset strategies for overcoming the inevitable dark moments in long-distance races, including visualization techniques and the importance of mental resilience in performance.

We also dive into personalized nutrition and training adaptations, as Zach details his transition from a high-carb to a low-carb diet and how it has influenced his endurance, recovery, and overall performance. Our discussion highlights the importance of metabolic flexibility, optimizing fuel sources, and tailoring macronutrient intake based on training intensity. Whether you're an endurance athlete or someone looking to develop greater resilience in life, this episode offers invaluable lessons on mental toughness, strategic nutrition, and the pursuit of excellence.

We discuss:

• The mental strategies Zach uses to push through ultra-marathons
• How visualization training enhances race-day performance
• Transitioning from high-carb to low-carb as an endurance athlete
• The role of macronutrient cycling in optimizing training and recovery
• Strength training for runners: Why it matters and how to incorporate it
• Adapting training for busy professionals: How to maximize results with minimal time

Who is Zach Bitter?

Zach Bitter is an ultramarathon athlete, coach, and podcast host of the Human Performance Outliers Podcast. He has broken multiple world and American records, won national championships, and competed for Team USA at the World 100KM Championships. Zach follows a low-carbohydrate diet for his training and racing preparation.

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Find Zach Bitter at:

https://zachbitter.com/

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Timestamps

(00:00) - Unlocking Mental Resilience for Ultra Marathons

(08:55) - Building Competitive Mindset Through Running

(13:07) - Navigating Dark Moments in Ultra Running

(19:48) - Optimizing Performance Through Nutrition Choices

(25:27) - Transitioning to Low Carb Ultra Running

(30:30) - Exploring Low Carb Ultra Running Diets

(35:23) - Training Approaches for Ultra Running

(44:08) - Optimizing Training for Experienced Runners

(48:58) - Optimizing Training Intensity and Nutrition

(56:53) - Adapting Nutrition for Ultra...

Today, I welcome Dr. Heather Leidy to The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show for an in-depth conversation about the evolving landscape of nutrition science. Together, they tackle pressing topics like the future of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, the impact of protein timing, and the importance of protein quality in supporting health and mitigating frailty. Dr. Leidy highlights recent research that explores behavioral strategies for sustainable weight management, the role of animal-sourced foods in nutrient adequacy, and the effects of GLP-1 medications on diet and health outcomes.

Key Discussion Points:

• The critical role of breakfast in satiety and long-term health
• Why the food matrix matters when evaluating protein sources
• The untapped potential of family-based breakfast interventions
• Implications of GLP-1 medications on protein needs and behavioral strategies
• Addressing the nutrient gaps in plant-based diets and rethinking food waste

Who is Dr. Heather Leidy?

Heather J. Leidy, PhD is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She has a joint appointment in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and the Department of Pediatrics -Dell Medical School. She previously served on the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and was the American Society of Nutrition Research Interest Group Director. Dr.Leidy received her BS in Biology from Shippensburg University and went on to complete her MS and PhD in Physiology at Penn State University as well as a Postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Nutrition Science and Ingestive Behavior at Purdue University.

This episode is brought to you by:

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Find Dr. Heather Leidy at:

The University of Texas at Austin | Department of Nutritional Sciences - https://nutrition.utexas.edu/directory/heather-leidy/

Find me at:

• Instagram: @drgabriellelyon
• Tik Tok: @drgabriellelyon
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• YouTube: youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon
• Jumpstart your 2025 with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's 4-week Foundations Challenge —join now: https://bit.ly/3Wnd6KT
• Apply to become a patient - https://drgabriellelyon.com/new-patient-inquiry/
• Join my weekly newsletter - https://institute-for-muscle-centric-medicine.ck.page
• Get my book - https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong/

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Dietary Protein Guidelines and Research

(10:01) - Challenges inDietary Guideline Committee

(14:32) - Nutrition, Behavior, and Health Outcomes

(21:48) - Protein and Satiety Mechanisms

(33:20) - Impact of Higher Protein Breakfasts

(53:48) - Breakfast, Protein, and Dietary Recommendations

(01:04:58) - Improving...

Dr. Stephan Van Vliet joins us for an enlightening exploration of nutrition, agriculture, and human health. Our discussion navigates the often-overlooked complexities of food production, examining the nutritional differences between pasture-finished and grain-finished beef. We also uncover how maternal nutrition might set the stage for children's future dietary preferences. Dr. Van Vliet introduces the intriguing concept of the food matrix, emphasizing the profound impact of bioactive compounds in whole foods that go far beyond mere macronutrient content.

As we venture into the emerging field of food metabolomics, Dr. Van Vliet reveals how metabolites in plants and animals can offer new insights into health optimization. The conversation highlights the critical role of dietary choices, particularly regarding the impact of diet on metabolite composition and the potential health benefits of shifting toward whole foods. Balancing plant-based and animal-derived diets also emerges as a focal point, underscoring the health potential of integrating both for optimal nutrient intake.

Key Topics:

The food matrix and why whole foods matter beyond macros

Food metabolomics and the impact of diet on metabolite composition

Nutritional differences between pasture-finished and grain-finished beef

How maternal nutrition influences children's future health and food choices

Why an omnivorous diet emerges as optimal for human health

Who is Dr. Stephan Van Vliet?

Dr. Stephan Van Vliet is the Director at the Center for Human Nutrition Studies at Utah State University. Dr. Stephan Van Vliet earned his PhD in Kinesiology as an ESPEN Fellow from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and received postdoctoral training at the Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine and Duke University School of Medicine prior to joining Utah State University in 2022.

This episode is brought to you by:

• Timeline - Code DRLYON for 10% OFF - https://timelinenutrition.com/DRLYON
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Find Dr. Stephan Van Vliet at:

• The Van Vliet Lab - https://stephanvanvliet.com/
• X - https://x.com/vanvlietphd

Find me at:

• Instagram: @drgabriellelyon
• Tik Tok: @drgabriellelyon
• Facebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon
• YouTube: youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon
• Jumpstart your 2025 with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's 4-week Foundations Challenge —join now: https://bit.ly/3Wnd6KT
• Apply to become a patient - https://drgabriellelyon.com/new-patient-inquiry/
• Join my weekly newsletter - https://institute-for-muscle-centric-medicine.ck.page
• Get my book - https://drgabriellelyon.com/forever-strong/

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Understanding the Food Matrix

(17:02) - Exploring Food Metabolomics and Nutrient Optimization

(24:51) - Exploring Plant-Based and Animal-Derived...