Fast Talk

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Listened the world over, the Fast Talk podcast is your source for the best training advice and most compelling insight on what it takes to become a better cyclist. Co-hosted by former VeloNews managing editor Chris Case and Fast Labs' resident physiologist and coach, Trevor Connor, each episode take…

Fast Labs


    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 8m AVG DURATION
    • 412 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Fast Talk podcast is a goldmine of information for anyone interested in cycling and endurance sports. With its well-researched and substantiated content, it stands out from other riding and athletic podcasts as one of the most informative and valuable resources available. The hosts and guests take deep dives into science topics related to physiology, providing practical information that can be applied to training and performance.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its commitment to providing quality information. The hosts are knowledgeable and experienced, often referencing studies and research to support their findings. They explain concepts in a clear and understandable way, making complex topics accessible to listeners. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, there is something to learn from each episode.

    Another great aspect of Fast Talk is the variety of topics covered. From training methodologies to nutrition strategies, the podcast delves into all aspects of endurance sports. Listeners can gain insights into not only how to improve their performance but also understand the why behind certain training techniques. This deeper understanding helps athletes make informed decisions about their training plans.

    However, one downside of this podcast is occasionally poor audio quality. Some episodes suffer from issues where it becomes difficult to hear or decipher what is being said, even at maximum volume. This can be frustrating for listeners who are eager to absorb all the valuable information being shared.

    In conclusion, despite some occasional technical difficulties with audio clarity, The Fast Talk podcast remains an invaluable resource for anyone interested in cycling and endurance sports. Its well-researched content, practical insights, and expert analysis set it apart from other podcasts in the genre. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out on your fitness journey, Fast Talk offers educational and engaging content that will enhance your understanding of the physiology behind endurance sports.



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    Latest episodes from Fast Talk

    373: The Revolutionary Work of Dr. Hans Selye

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 67:35


    Dr. Stephen Seiler joins us to talk about one of the biggest influences on his own work, Dr Hans Selye who's been called the Einstein of the biological sciences.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    372: Coffee, Gels, and the Jitters: Using Caffeine Without Overdoing It.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 60:07


    In this episode we explore the science of caffeine in endurance sports—when it helps, when it doesn't, and how to use it wisely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    371: Potluck Discussion - Is More Better, Training for Time Trial Series, and Dream Research

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 59:04


    Our hosts talk about why we shouldn't believe that more is always better, how to build a weekly time trial series into your training, and what research we'd like to see conducted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    370: Our Deep Dive on the Norwegian Method

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 84:29


    We talk with Brad Culp, author of “The Norwegian Method,” about the main tenets of the training philosophy, as well as who should and shouldn't apply the method in their training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    369: How Coaches and Athletes Interact with Data

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 71:38


    Mollie Brewer joins us to discuss how we interact with data – which can say as much about coaches and athletes as the data itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    368: Are Shorter Cranks Faster?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 63:50


    On this episode, Lennard Zinn shares his decades of experience and experimentation to help answer the question of whether shorter cranks are better.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    367: Podcast Swap — Body Composition, Performance, and the Dangers of Under-fueling, from the TriDoc Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 64:30


    This week, we share an episode from the TriDoc Podcast. Host Jeff Sankoff is joined by dietitian Alex Larson and coach Juliet Hochman to explore the complex relationship between body composition, fueling, and performance—plus how coaches can support athletes without crossing the line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    366: Balancing the Principles of Training with Triathlon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 70:00


    The TriDoc Jeff Sankoff joins us to talk about how to still apply the principles of supercompensation and progressive overload in a sport as complex as triathlon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    365: Potluck Discussion - Athlete Autonomy, Training Different Bikes, and the Importance of Skincare

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 57:24


    In this week's potluck episode, we discuss the balance of athlete autonomy versus prescription, how to balance training with multiple types of bikes, and how to avoid being swayed by athlete-marketed skincare trends that may not be worth the hype. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    364: How to Help Your Body Fit Better on the Bike with John Howard

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 66:44


    We talk a lot about fitting your bike to your body, but there's a lot you can do to keep your body healthy and help it fit in a more powerful position on the bike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    363: Why Breathing Frequency May Become Our Best Measure of Training Stress

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 85:00


    Dr. Stephen Seiler joins us to talk about his new project developing a breathing frequency measure and why it may match up better with perceived exertion than heart rate or power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    362: How to Make Interval Work Motivating

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 67:32


    Our team of coaches got together and discussed why we do intervals, how to execute them, and most importantly, how to make them more fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    361: Examining a Critical Meta-Analysis of Training Distribution Models

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 58:56


    Dr. Michael Rosenblatt joins us to discuss the largest meta-analysis comparing distribution models that he wrote with Dr. Stephen Seiler.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    360: Potluck Discussion: First Conversation, Doing Cadence Work, and Training with a Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 58:13


    In this week's potluck episode, we discuss what coaches should look for in their first conversation with an athlete, how to best do cadence work on the bike, and how to take advantage of group training while not losing sight of your plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    359: Do Women Athletes Need Zone 2 Training?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 58:39


    Recently, some prominent researchers have suggested that women need far less zone 2 training than previously thought. Physiologists Julie Young and Dr. Dana Lis join us to debate that question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    358: How to Use—and Not Use—HRV in Your Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 70:05


    We talk with HRV expert, Dr. Brad Lichtenstein, about the value of HRV in training, what it does and doesn't show, and what to be careful of when you use it.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    training hrv brad lichtenstein
    357: Progressive Overload Is Critical But Does It Have a Limit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 69:13


    Coach Isaiah Newkirk joins us to talk about why progressive overload is so important to training, and how we can continue to get gains when we can't add more volume or intensity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    356: The Importance of Maintaining Muscle Mass with Jared Berg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 75:08


    Fast Talk's head physiologist details why it's important to maintain muscle mass as an endurance athlete, and how to do it even when trying to lose weight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    355: Potluck Discussion: Finding the Right Plan, Virtual Base Training, and U.S. Cyclocross

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 58:28


    We discuss how to find the right plan for you, using virtual training platforms in the base season, and the state of U.S. Cyclocross. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    354: How Homeostasis Explains Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 63:26


    In this summary episode we discuss how homeostasis is at the core of almost every function in our bodies, including how we train and stay healthy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    353: The Power of Motivational Interviewing, with Dr. Jeff Breckon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 60:11


    Dr. Jeff Breckon discusses motivational interviewing concepts and techniques to empower coaches to better effect change in their athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    352: The Four Fitness Foundations of Mobility, Flexibility, Stability, and Strength

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 77:03


    We talk with coach and physiologist Dr. Stacey Brickson about the importance of off-the-bike work, not just for performance but longevity and health.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    351: Drawing Ethical Boundaries in the Coach-Athlete Relationship

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 60:42


    Dr. Kate Bennett discusses ethical boundaries, dual relationships, and power imbalances that both coaches and athletes should be aware of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    350: How to Set Strava Records on the Most Famous Climbs in the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 68:18


    Jack Burke tells us how he trained and raced record-setting climbs on Alpe d'Huez, the Stelvio, and the Mortirolo.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    349: Potluck Discussion: Sacrifices, Initial Season Workouts, and Over-Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 54:20


    Our hosts talk about whether it is better to be balanced or pursue something fully, good workouts to start the season out, and how much communication is too much.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    348: How to Find Your Motivation in the Early Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 63:30


    Our team talks with pro riders Madigan Munro and Noah Granigan about how they find motivation to train and stay fit when their next race is a winter away.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    347: Favorite Workouts—Off-the-Bike Edition!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 38:50


    We hear from Fast Talk all-star guests like Dr. Andy Pruitt and Stacey Brickson about their favorite off-the-bike workouts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    346: The Effect of Virtual Training on Coaches and Athletes, with Robbie Ventura

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 67:57


    Training is becoming increasingly virtual. We discuss with Velocity owner Robbie Ventura how to maximize athlete and coach interactions in this new online environment.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    345: Why Our Gut Microbiome Is Important for Performance and Recovery

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 57:17


    We talk with Julie Ann Davey about the bacteria in our gut and how the composition of our microflora affects everything in our bodies, including our performance.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    344: The Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Mental Performance

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 53:46


    We shine a light on an oft-overlooked aspect of athletic success: using nutrition for optimal mental performance, especially for endurance athletes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    343: How to Fuel for Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 68:36


    There's an important difference between fueling for performance and fueling for health. In today's episode, Dr. Mikki Williden and Dr. Paul Laursen give us their suggestions on how to fuel for health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    342: How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful New Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 68:35


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    341: Potluck Discussion: Hobbies as Training, Returning from Injury, and Off-Season Workouts

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 52:06


    Our host regulars discuss when an unplanned activity—such as commuting—becomes training, how to adjust for an event when returning from injury, and what training to do in the off season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    340: Norwegian Method or Just Good Holistic Practice? With Dr. Stephen Seiler

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 67:40


    Dr. Seiler explains what we can and can't take from the Ingebrigtsen brothers and from the Norwegian approach to training in general. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    339: How Our Muscles Adapt, with Dr. Brendan Egan

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 67:14


    Dr. Brendan Egan joins our hosts to explain what happens in our muscles after a hard training session that causes us to get stronger and faster.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    338: Nutrition Needs of Junior Endurance Athletes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 68:11


    Our hosts talk with Jared Berg about the nutrition needs of development athletes and whether they should eat differently from their adult counterparts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    337: End-Season Form, CX Race Fueling, and Getting to the Top Too Fast?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 64:14


    We discuss a host of questions, from how to get a little more out of your form in autumn, to fueling needs for short races like cyclocross, and why so many female athletes seem to excel when entering sports later in life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    336: How to Train Perceived Exertion and Go Harder

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 72:49


    We talk with Dr. Scott Frey and Tour commentator Brent Bookwalter about how our brains perceive effort and ways we can manipulate that perception to go harder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    335: Nerd Lab: Dr. Edward Coyle's Defining and Controversial Work on Endurance Athletes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 77:39


    Dr. Edward Coyle was a pioneer in figuring out how endurance athletes adapt and defining what attributes—such as efficiency and fuel utilization—are most important to perform at the highest levels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    334: How to Measure and Train Zone 2, with Jared Berg

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 72:11


    We do the bulk of our training in zones 1 and 2, so this episode will explain how to define them and—more importantly—how to best train them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    333: It's Never Too Late to Start an Endurance Sport—or Change It Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 100:31


    Many started young, others turned their passion into their profession, and some used it to get healthy. Learn from the experiences of multiple athletes and coaches on how they entered—and stayed in—endurance sports no matter what life threw their way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    332: How to Measure Running, with Nell Rojas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 63:27


    In today's episode, we switch our cycling shoes for running shoes and discuss how runners can accurately measure and pace their training.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    331: Potluck Discussion: Race Weight, Not Feeling a Workout, and Big Lessons Learned

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 57:34


    In this week's potluck, we discuss if lighter means you always perform better, how to change things up if you're not feeling that day's workout, and what key tips we have to be better coaches or athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    330: How Much Interval Training Do We Really Need? With Dr. Stephen Seiler

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 90:38


    Nothing has been researched more than high-intensity interval training. We talk with Dr. Seiler about what the science really says and how to apply it to our own training.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    329: Nutrition Approaches for Ultra-Endurance Events

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 70:55


    Athlete, coach, and nutritionist Stephanie Howe explains how ultra-athletes can optimize performance through evidence-based nutrition practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    328: Long Workdays, Training Races, and Varying Base Rides

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 65:33


    Our hosts bring their questions on working out at the end of a long day, how to manage when training races are too easy, and if base ride intensities should be varied. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    327: What It Takes to Race the Tour de France, with Alex Howes and Neal Henderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 87:01


    We've all seen on TV how hard the Tour de France is, but what does it take for these riders to push themselves so far day after day?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    326: Revisiting Episode 8: The Importance of Neuromuscular Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 62:57


    Originally titled “Stop Your Legs from Fighting (Themselves),” we look back at episode 8 to see how our views—and the science—has changed regarding neuromuscular work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    neuromuscular training
    325: When Is Fast Tech Too Fast?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 81:21


    When does an innovation in speed cross the line of fair competition or safety? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    324: Lennard Zinn's Cycling Gear Essentials

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 82:40


    Lennard Zinn shares his decades of experience to help cyclists of all levels navigate what gear they do and don't need when starting a new cycling discipline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    323: Do All Athletes Need Regular Blood Testing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 74:16


    Blood tests can help tell whether an athlete is overtrained or performing at their best, but is it a good idea for athletes to do regular testing? We discuss with Dr. Lauren Rudolph. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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