The Better Podcast

Some episodes feature professional endurance coaches Joe Howdyshell and Matti Rowe talking about how to live a better life through endurance sport. Other episodes feature Joe Howdyshell and endurance athlete, Grace Staberg, interviewing adventurous and beloved guests in the endurance industry. Hosts will answer listener questions about endurance sport conundrums. Cut through all the B.S. out there and give you what you really need, a roadmap to be Better.

Episode 55: Guardrails!

How do we make sure that the amount of training is right? That it's not too much? That it's enough? Matti and I talk about the different ways of monitoring load, phsyiology, stress, and some systems of how to use them together. 

10-06
01:04:05

Episode 54: The Return! Broken bones, aging athletes, and Joe's new BOOK!

Hot damn, it's been a minute. We're back and fired up talking about Matti's summer, Joe's new book, and lots of side-tracks of thoughts on how to help athletes. It's a good one, get into it! 

09-19
55:47

Episode 53: On the benefits of competition

Catching up, ranting a little, you know, the usual.  We talk about the challenges (but also benefits) of strong competition, why progress isn't a buffet line, and a bunch of our usual tangets. This one is hiiiiight energy! 

05-19
58:11

Episode 52: Unbound Gravel prep with Matti and Uri

Oh Unbound, you crazy beast! We talk about why Unbound is cool even if you don't like gravel (Joe), how to not die on your first ultra (Matti), and how to actually fuel properly (Uri).  While Unbound is the topic, if you do ultra (longer than 2-3 hours) events, there's some good stuff in here for you!

04-21
56:07

Episode 51: Nutrition with Uri Carlson

It's been a while since we've had Uri on, but she's one of the originals, back from Episode 8!  If there's one theme here it's probably "mastering the basics." We talk about blood testing, supplementation, sweat testing, and a whole lot more!

03-11
01:04:17

Episode 50: Mental Map Vs. Reality

Joe and Matti talk about the dangers of not challenging assumptions, the importance of using reality as a place to make training decisions, and you, know, the usual dumb jokes.   

11-15
01:04:48

Episode 49 with Matti: Random Show

Whew, it's been a minute, but we're back!  Today Matti and I catch up about not being bulletproof, philosophy shifts, and how workouts don't happen in isolation. We have some fun, we talk about some nerdy shit, and yeah, we (I) say the F-word a few times.    Good to be back! 

09-27
01:21:02

Episode 48 with Matti: Catching up, and Compassion

After catching up on each other's fall shenanigans, we talk about how to have self-compassion for ourselves while maintaining high standards. 

12-07
01:05:06

Episode 47 with Cam Smith: Croissants, Injuries, and Lessons from Elite Skimo

Cameron "Cam" Smith is an elite skimo racer and mountain runner. We talk about him coming back from an ACL tear in February 2023, what Americans need to do to be consistently competitive in World Cup Skimo, and how what his current croissant count is. 

12-01
01:07:21

Episode 46 with Kylee Van Horn: Nutrition for Skimo!

Joe and Kylee sat down and talked about the nutritional differences between summer sports and skimo. How to hydrate, how to fuel, and even hour to tackle the holidays! 

11-17
01:04:14

Episode 45 with Brynne Goldberg: Athletes and Mental Health

In this episode, Brynne and Joe sit down to talk about athlete mental health, athlete identity, anxiety, and working on how to turn down the dial on those demons. 

11-02
51:20

Episode 44: Coaching Joe

Matti sits down and interviews Joe about Joe's training and what it's like working with a coach for the first time in several years! 

10-05
01:00:56

Episode 43: EK Sports Interview with Eric Kenney

Joe sits down and chats with Eric Kenney from EK Endurance Coaching! 

09-24
01:08:49

Episode 42: Influences of Coaching

Joe and Matti go through their years of coaching and discuss what books, coaches, classes, and friends have been the greatest influences on their coaching careers. Listen to this one if you are looking for more resources on training!

08-23
56:03

Special Episode 41: Lordy, Lordy, Joe turns Forty!

Friends sit down with birthday man Joe for a personal interview and a window into his brain! 

08-03
01:45:37

Episode 40: Underfueling, GI issues, and more with Kylee Van Horn of Fly Nutrition

Joe talks with special guest Kylee Van Horn of Fly Nutrition about what happens when you start eating enough for training, strength and nutrition, underfueling, GI issues, and more on this weeks The Better Podcast! 

07-28
52:57

Episode 39: Joe Learns Enduro, Matti Crushes Gravel

Joe and Matti are back diving deeper into Joe's first enduro mountain bike race and the skills learned racing, and Matti's experience at Unbound Gravel.

07-18
46:51

Episode 38: Bike Racing and Carbs for Athletes

Gravel and mountain biking racing is here and Joe and Matti talk about the challenges (good and bad) that come with pushing your skills on a bike, along with carbs, recovery, and adaptation as an athlete.

05-21
58:50

Episode 37: Fitness kills... the competition.

Should you break the bank on that new bike? Or is that money better spent elsewhere, or even saved?! Joe and Matti talk skimo gear, bikes, and training, and where your investments should lie on this week's Better Podcast. 

04-14
30:02

Episode 36: Pelvic Floor and the Athlete

What are the benefits of a strong pelvic floor? What even IS a pelvic floor? Join Joe and Matti as they discuss with Quinn, a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in pelvic health, the world of pelvic floor therapy and the benefits of strengthening the muscles you don't think about much. 

03-26
51:05

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