Critical Oxygen

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, I am joined again by Coach Michelle Simmons where we discuss the importance of breathing and how it affects physiology and performance. Michelle shares her personal experience of using breathwork to manage anxiety and improve athletic performance. We emphasize the significance of diaphragmatic breathing and its impact on posture, mind

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, Coach Aaron Geiser and I answer questions about strength training for endurance athletes, adjusting training zones for different sports, choosing a reputable laboratory for physiological testing, developing FTP with limited training time, and the differences between zone two training and double threshold days. We discuss the importanc

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, Dave Schell and I discuss the merits and limitations of internal and external variables in endurance training. We explore metrics such as heart rate, lactate, ventilation variables, SMO2, speed, and power. We emphasize the importance of measuring both internal and external variables to understand your physiology and performance. We al

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, continuing guest host Aaron Geiser and I answer listener questions and discuss various topics related to endurance training. We cover the benefits and timing of cold water immersion, the duration of zone two training for masters athletes, and the role of genetics in performance for masters athletes. We emphasize the importance of indi

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, Dr. Robert Jacobs and I discuss the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in endurance training. We explore the application of Moxy Monitor, a near-infrared spectroscopy device (NIRS), for physiological testing and monitoring. We cover topics such as the limitations of models and training plans, the use Moxy Monitor for c

In this episode of fast Physiology on the Critical Oxygen Podcast, Dave Schell and I discuss the benefits of heat training for overall endurance performance in hot, humid environments. We explain how heat training affects the body's physiology and the cardiovascular system. We also provide a heat training protocol and strategies for implementing heat training. We discuss the ad

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, I am joined by Lee Throckmorton, founder and CEO of Kaizen Groundworks, to discuss tactical athlete preparation for individuals in public safety. We explore the importance of blending strength and endurance training for optimal performance in the tactical space. We also discuss the historical context of tactical athlete training and h

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, I am joined by Coach Aaron Geyser where we discuss how to stay healthy during training and the importance of consistency and recovery. We emphasize the need to prevent sickness by analyzing lifestyle factors and managing stress. If sickness does occur, we recommend taking a conservative approach to returning to training, focusing on e

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen podcast, Dr. Marco Altini and I discuss heart rate variability (HRV) and its applications in optimizing physiology and athletic performance. HRV is a measure of the variation in heartbeats over time and is influenced by the autonomic nervous system's response to stress. Dr. Altini emphasizes the importance of measuring HRV consistently and

In this episode of the Critical Oxygen Podcast, I am joined again by Dave Schell for another episode of Fast Physiology. In this episode we discuss how to maximize performance and race in high altitude environments. We explore the effects of altitude on performance, individual variability in altitude response, and the reduction in maximal sustainable effort. We also discuss the dur