Immune health is intricately connected to nutrition, genetics, and activity level, with each person requiring a unique approach based on their genetic makeup and lifestyle. Chris ties in how nutrition, genetics, supplements and immunity all relate for active people and athletes. Educational only; not medical advice. You’ll hear about: The one plate shift most athletes overlook—and why it changes everythingA simple number that helps you right-size protein for longevity and immunityHow certai...
Today, Chris explores how to make informed decisions about supplements by following a clear framework for determining if they're right for you. This practical guide helps navigate the confusing world of supplementation by asking key questions about necessity, effectiveness, and safety. You’ll learn: Why whole foods should always be your foundationHow restricted diets (vegan, dairy-free, fasting) change supplement needsThe importance of legality and third-party testing (NSF Certified, Informed...
Sarah Hayes, co-owner of She Tris, shares how their women-only triathlon series creates an inclusive, supportive environment for female athletes of all ages and abilities. From acquiring the Ramblin' Rose series to expanding across the Carolinas, Sarah reveals how She Tris has grown while maintaining its welcoming atmosphere where beginners feel comfortable and experienced athletes can thrive. You'll hear: How co-owners Sarah and Angie met as Sarah was doing her first triHow they adopted 4 ne...
Are you an athlete without a will or healthcare power of attorney? This episode breaks down estate planning for athletes—what you need, why DIY templates fall short, and how to protect your people and your gear. Attorney Erin Edgar (“The Caring Attorney”) shares the must-knows for cyclists, runners, triathletes, and active families—from emergency decisions to executor duties in North Carolina. What you’ll learn: Why every athlete needs a will (even if you’re young and healthy)The difference ...
Heat stress affects four out of five Americans with many unaware they're experiencing it, and over a quarter don't know how to react in an emergency situation. Lexi Engelbart from Ergodyne joins us to discuss Project Heat, an educational initiative aimed at helping people recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses before they become life-threatening. • Heat stress is highly personal – medications, hydration, alcohol consumption, and fitness level all affect how individuals respond • Sig...
Functional Sports Nutritionist Chris Newport discusses gastrointestinal (GI) distress specifically for athletes, particularly endurance athletes. The conversation covers the prevalence of GI issues in sports, the various causes of these problems, including overeating, race day anxiety, and unfamiliar foods, as well as strategies for managing and preventing GI distress. Chris emphasizes the importance of gut health and nutrition in athletic performance and offers practical tips for athletes to...
Join hydration, fueling and performance nutrition expert, Chris Newport, as she uncovers the critical mistakes athletes make and shares science-backed methods to dial in your plan, so you can train and race your best. Here's what she reviews: Why guessing, or taking the "shiny object" strategy, can get you in troubleHow to avoid the "kitchen sink approach" Why gut and physical training need to alignWhy carb choice mattersHow your fueling plan should vary (and why it really should ...
Coach Chris discusses sweat rate, and why it matters more than you think for optimal hydration. Sweat is your body’s primary cooling mechanism—and how understanding yours could be the key to unlocking better performance and smarter hydration. In this episode, we dive into what influences your sweat rate, how to test it, and why it’s one of the most overlooked (yet powerful) tools for endurance athletes. You'll learn: 🔥 What you think is enough hydration might be way off 🌡️ One environmental ...
Join Coach Chris (and Race Director) as she discusses why racing local matters! She discusses how: • Local race fees support small race directors, vendors, volunteers, and sometimes charitable causes like Girls on the Run • Racing locally eliminates the logistical complexities of travel, shipping bikes, and hotel stays • Local events help you build community by connecting with potential training partners • Use local races to test nutrition, pacing strategies, and transition skills for ...
Coach Chris interviews Thomas Henson, a personal injury attorney specializing in catastrophic injuries and avid cyclist, who shares critical insurance and safety information that can protect cyclists and all active individuals on the roads. We discuss: • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) is vital but often overlooked insurance that protects you beyond just car accidents • UM/UIM coverage follows you when cycling, running, or even walking, and extends to family members in...
Coach Chris Newport interviews fellow Coach Jason, who shares his journey of getting faster on the bike—without getting any fitter. Discover how he became 60 watts more efficient through aerodynamic tweaks and smart upgrades that any athlete can implement. In this episode, you’ll hear: • What clue tipped Jason off that he could be faster—without training harder • The eye-opening stat that changed how he thought about riding into the wind • How one small gear upgrade can help you g...
In this episode dedicated to functional nutrition, Coach Chris and her dietetic intern discuss gut health. Our gut is truly our second brain, affecting everything from immunity and inflammation to mood and mental health, with 99% of our DNA coming from our microbiome rather than our human cells. **I'm not loving the audio, but hang tight through the end, as there's some great stories and pearls, AND a gut reset challenge! You'll learn: • The DIGIN framework to gut health. • Identify the...
Coach Chris unpacks what it really takes to improve as an endurance athlete—beyond just logging more miles or training harder. She dives into some of the methodology that she and her coaching team use for their athletes, including: The key principle that underpins every successful training plan (and how to know if you're doing it right)Why your heart rate zones might be steering you wrong—and how to truly dial in your intensityThe real secret weapon for recovery (hint: it’s not a ...
If open water freaks you out—you’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest reasons people avoid triathlon altogether. In this episode, Coach Chris takes you behind the scenes of what it really takes to feel calm, confident, and in control during your swim. You’ll discover: How to figure out what’s actually triggering your anxiety so you can stop guessing and start addressing itHow to stay calm (and moving forward) even when you need to take a break mid-swimHow to stop zigzagging and start s...
Coach Chris Newport takes listeners behind the scenes of the XTERRA North American Championships in Alabama, sharing insights from training preparation to race day execution. The race represented both a personal challenge to face mountain biking fears and a test of athletic growth after six months of dedicated preparation. • Consistent training, especially on the mountain bike, led to improved technical skills and higher functional threshold power • Thunder and lightning delayed race morning...
Coach Chris Newport shares her methodology for developing an evidence-based fueling and hydration plan for her upcoming off-road Olympic triathlon. She demonstrates how tracking personal sweat data, testing products, and adjusting for logistics leads to a race nutrition strategy that works specifically for her body's unique needs (and will help translate to yours!) She discusses: • Using the four T's approach: Track it, Try it, Tweak it, Trust it • The importance of tracking sweat rate based...
In this episode of Find Your Edge, Coach Chris Newport breaks down popular supplements for endurance athletes—backed by science, tested in real-world training. Learn which ones are worth your attention, and which ones may depend on your unique physiology and genetics. 🔹 The #1 most proven supplement for endurance 🔹 Why sodium—not just electrolytes—is your race-day MVP 🔹 How sweat testing can reveal your exact electrolyte needs 🔹 The caffeine conundrum: why your genes matter ...
Do our cholesterol numbers tell the full story? Cardiometabolic, or heart health encompasses more than just heart function—it includes metabolic processes, blood sugar control, lipid levels, and inflammation markers that affect your entire body's health. Fewer than 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy, making it crucial to look beyond standard cholesterol numbers to understand your complete cardiovascular risk profile. In today's episode, functional nutritionist Chris Newport explores h...
Join Coach Chris Newport, lead performance nutritionist at The Endurance Edge, who discusses how race day nutrition for endurance events lasting over two hours isn’t one-size-fits-all. It takes a personalized, well-rehearsed plan that accounts for your unique physiology, the demands of your race, and the realities of fueling on the go. When done right, it can be the difference between crushing your goals and crawling to the finish. Tune in to learn: Why sticking to a single carbohydrate sourc...
Coach Chris explains the science behind bonking and outlines practical strategies to prevent it during long-distance triathlon, running or cycling events. She explains: • What bonking is and and why this extreme fatigue happens, often occurring around 3 hours into intense exercise • How much glycogen the body can store in calories and carbs • How many carbs to ingest per hour, depending on your gender, size and race distance. • Why two types of carbs are better than one (and which ones ...