Fast Talk

Fast Talk Labs

The Fast Talk podcast offers the best guides to cycling performance and endurance sports training from world-class experts.

Cohosted by cycling coaches and sport scientists Trevor Connor and Rob Pickels, Fast Talk episodes feature fascinating conversations with world-class experts discussing the endurance sports topics they know best: the best ways to train, effective workouts, questions on polarized and interval training, sports nutrition, physiology and recovery, and sport psychology.

Fast Talk guests and regular contributors include Dr. Stephen Seiler, Joe Friel, Dr. Asker Jeukendrup, Sebastian Weber, Jim Miller, Dr. Andy Pruitt, Dr. Timothy Noakes, and elite professional athletes like Kristin Armstrong, Sepp Kuss, Brent Bookwalter, Kate Courtney, and many more.

Fast Talk is part of Fast Talk Laboratories, a new endurance sports knowledgebase for endurance racers and adventurers.

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474 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes474

Newest first

March 12 · 32 min
414: Fast Chats — Navigating Complex Injuries, and Evidence that Hormonal Changes Don’t Degrade Performance
We discuss how to find solutions when you’re dealing with injuries without an obvious cause, then we review new research that demonstrates that changes in progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone do not negatively impact performance in males or females. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
March 5 · 1 hr 10 min
413: The Critical Roles of Inflammation, the Immune System, and the Gut in Performance, with Dr. Fred Chaleff
A healthy gut and appropriate inflammation are critical to our training, but finding the right balance is challenging. Cardiologist Dr. Fred Chaleff discusses the ways we can all find equilibrium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 26 · 49 min
412: Zwift’s Next Chapter in Training and Racing
Zwift revolutionized indoor training, but they didn’t stop there. We talk with Nick Kalkounis and Ryan Cooper about both the history and future of Zwift’s innovations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 19 · 1 hr 27 min
411: Dissecting Training Zones with Siren Seiler and Dr. Stephen Seiler
Based on their recent research article, the Seilers discuss the proliferation of training zone systems and compare them to the highly touted Norwegian five-zone model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 12 · 1 hr 14 min
410: Exploring the New UCI Consensus Statement on Supplements
Some of the top sports physiologists in the world, led by Dr. Louise Burke just wrote the UCI’s position on supplements. Lead author Jamie Whitfield joins us to discuss their recommendations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 5 · 38 min
409: Fast Chats – New Research Challenging Whether We Should Do Efforts on Our Long Base Rides
Purists say never do efforts on long base rides, but recent research is challenging whether a few efforts really do any harm. More importantly, can doing some neuromuscular work help? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
January 29 · 44 min
408: Potluck Discussion - The Value of Average Power, Sustaining What Works Season to Season, and Our VO2max Ceiling
In this week’s potluck episode, we discuss when and how to best use average power from our rides, whether there’s a ceiling to our VO2max capacity, and how we can replicate success from season to season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
January 22 · 56 min
407: Reclaiming Success Through Mattering, Connection, and Purpose in Competitive Sports, with Sonya Looney
Mattering is the experience of adding value and feeling valued, both to the self and interpersonally. It's the feeling of being seen, heard, valued, and needed. It's a psychological need and a human instinct, but is rarely discussed in performance contexts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
January 15 · 1 hr 15 min
406: Tech vs. Wild – How Augmented Reality, GPS, and Other Technologies Are Reshaping the Way We Adventure, with Chris Burkard
Technology has penetrated deep into the wilds of the world, be it with GPS, satellite communications, drones, or other forms of gadgetry. Adventure photographer and endurance athlete Chris Burkard breaks down how tech is impacting our wild sides. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
January 8 · 1 hr 13 min
405: Top Coaches Share Strategies on Base Training with Limited Time
The truth about base training for time-crunched cyclists—what to cut, what to keep, and what actually moves the needle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
January 1 · 1 hr 15 min
404: How Much Protein Do Endurance Athletes Need?
One of the Top Experts in the world on protein joins us to talk about why athletes need protein and whether we’re getting too much or too little. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 25, 2025 · 41 min
403: Celebrating American Cycling Success in 2025, with Jim Miller
Across cycling disciplines, American riders male and female had exceptional success. USA Cycling’s Chief of Sports Performance details the highlights, addresses . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 18, 2025 · 36 min
402: Fast Chats - Which Nutrition Gadgets are Worthwhile, Plus Health Impacts of Caffeine and Carbs
Athletes can now perform sweat analysis, check skin temperature, and monitor insulin in the field. But should they? We review the latest in nutrition technologies. We also talk about the potential adverse impacts of carbohydrates and caffeine on our health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 11, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
401: The Further Initiative — What Female Ultra Research Is Teaching Us About Fueling, Recovery, and Performance
This episode highlights the Further Initiative — a groundbreaking research project on female ultra-endurance athletes conducted in partnership with Lululemon and the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
400: The Past, Present, and Future of Sport Science with Drs. Louise Burke, Stephen Seiler, and Iñigo Mujika
For our 400th episode we invited three of the most prominent names in exercise physiology to discuss where we are and where we’re going in endurance sports science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 27, 2025 · 47 min
399: Potluck Discussion - Is There a Ceiling, Value of Wintering, and Alternative Training
In this week’s potluck episode, we discuss whether there is a true ceiling to our potential, whether there’s a value in “wintering” or taking time off, and what cross training our hosts recommend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
398: Creating Nutritional Training Plans, with MetPro’s Angelo Poli
As athletes, we understand the need for training plans, but have you ever considered applying the same principles to your nutrition? This episode discusses how it’s done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 13, 2025 · 37 min
397: Fast Chats: Rethinking Injury Risk and Longevity—Evidence That Defies Convention
Two new studies challenge common assumptions: intensity may matter more than volume for healthy aging, and triathlete injury patterns aren’t what most coaches would predict. We unpack what this means for training prescription, and why neuromuscular and strength work belong in every plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 6, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
396: Neck Pain in Cyclists - Mechanics, Fit, and Clinical Insight
Experts in medicine, biomechanics, and physical therapy join Dr. Griffin McMath and Trevor Connor to decode the causes of neck pain in cyclists and the strategies that keep athletes strong, steady, and pain-free over the long haul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 30, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
395: The Difference Between Efficiency and Economy, and Why You Should Care
Dr. Ray Browning joins us to answer a question that even some exercise physiologists get wrong: what is the difference between efficiency and economy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices