November 25, 2009

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode

In this free November 25, 2009 audio episode: performance enhancing mouthpieces, cannibalizing muscle mass, protein for vegetarians, pre-workout eating, the podcast awards, and is there really any reason not to eat breakfast?

By the way, did you get your free Thanksgiving Fitness Survival Guide yet? Click here to get it now (will open in new window).

Featured Topic (Please vote for our podcast at http://www.podcastawards.combefore November 30!):

Today's featured topic is an interview with Bob Molhoek and Dr. Dena Garner. As CEO of Bite Tech Industries, Mr. Molhoek has vast experience in sports, retail, and health and wellness, and passion for enhancing performance in the military as well as the gaming and recreation industries. As an independent researcher, Dr. Garner is a professor in the Health, Exercise and Sports Science Department at the Citadel. Through her independent research, Dr. Garner has led all of Bite Tech’s research efforts at the Citadel including reaction time studies, rifle team studies, and cortisol, lactate, and endocrine studies. In our discussion, we talk about the new Under Armor Mouthpiece, and include talk about:

-How a mouthpiece could actually reduce lactate levels, improve oxygen uptake, or decrease cortisol…

-What sports a mouthpiece could be used for, and which top-ranked professional triathlete is already using one…

-How the device actually fits in the mouth, and how to use it…

-Exactly what you need to do if you want to get your hands on one…

-Whether I'll actually be trying one of these mouthpieces for myself…

-And much, much more!

Stay tuned for more updates on whether a mouth piece can actually make you more fit, and enjoy the interview!

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Listener Q&A (please vote for our podcast at http://www.podcastawards.com before November 30!):

Do you have a question for Ben? Just click Ask a Podcast Question at the bottom of this page and leave a voicemail, leave a Skype voicemail to username “pacificfit”, or e-mail [email protected].

Listener Jennifer asks: “Recently I've been in the process of turning vegetarian due to some ethical reasons. As an athlete I'm worried I won't be able to get protein in my diet due to the elimination of meat. Are there any substitutes I could make to help this? I've heard some controversy on soy and how it could actually damage our bodies, so I'm afraid to use that type of product. Do you think this transition is good for me as an athlete or will it only cause more damage in the end? Thanks Ben!”

In my response to Jennifer, I reference this Kenzen Body Balance Meal Replacement drink, comprised of pea and hemp protein. 

Listener Brad asks: “Greetings from Melbourne, Australia. My first question is, do you know of any effective ways to shed muscular bulk/ I remember hearing in one of your podcasts that you went through a bodybuilding phase in your past, and that your first few triathlons afterwards (specifically your runs) were some of the most painful races you’ve done.

I am in the process of getting ready for a series of half-ironman races next year (our seasons are reversed) with the goal of culminating my season with a full ironman. Hence my purchase of the Dominator plan (great info, by the way). Here’s the problem, I’m coming off a year of intense CrossFitting which has sent my anabolic fitness through the roof, but bulked me up to about 90kg (I’m 178cm tall) in the process. How can I best get rid of this bulk? It’s killing my knees and back on the runs.

I’m taking a full range of supplements at the moment based on your recommendations, however, I am hesitant to take any protein supplements. How did you shed your muscle mass?

My second question relates to running efficiency. I am familiar with the Pose running method and am slowly building my proficiency in this technique. However, given a recent case of runner’s knee, I would like to incorporate a more targeted set of exercises geared towards strengthening my running technique. I’ve heard that Craig Alexander puts a lot of focus on building his core strength. I am currently doing lunges, one legged squats, fire hydrants and recently, hip hikes.”

Listener Jennifer asks: “I love your podcasts and all the advice you give to athletes and non-athletes. I have a nutrition question for you.  I eat alot of Vitamin A/beta-carotene products, and for the past couple months my hands and feet are starting to turn orange. The doctor tells me that in the long term I could be damaging my liver. Do you have any advice on how I could substitute some of my food products? I'm currently eating pumpkin puree mixed in with my oatmeal in the morning, and then after my workouts I tend to eat a sweet potato with some almond butter. I'm trying to stick to vegetable products that can give me carbs as well as some substinence to my meals. I don't want to have to deal with these oompa loompa features any longer and end up hurting my liver as a result. If you can give me some advice that would be great! Thanks Ben, can't wait to hear from you!”

Listener Eric asks: “What do you think of the following website: 7 Reasons Why You Should NOT Eat Breakfast“?

Listener Miguel asks: “Sometimes I do workouts (run, gym or ride) in the afternoon and I would like to know what is the best pre-workout meal at that time (after lunch and before dinner)?”

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Special Announcements (please vote for our podcast at http://www.podcastawards.com before November 30!):

1) Ben's quintessential healthy holiday gift guide is now available, and tells you exactly what to get for the health nut, fitness enthusiast, triathlete, or wellness conscious individual on your holiday shopping list. Check it out now by clicking here, and be sure to forward it on to your friends!

2) Ben Greenfield is just 6 weeks into his supplementation with Bioletics, based on the interviews about the six key performance factors in podcasts #53 and #62 (which you can find by clicking here). If you're ready to get started, just click here to go to the Bioletics website to begin your six key performance factor testing or call Bioletics at 888-371-1033, ask for Dr. Richard Cohen, and tell him that Ben Greenfield sent you.

3) The Triathlon Dominator Package is officially live and available with exclusive web-only pricing. You can learn more about exactly how to successfully train for Ironman without neglecting your family, career, hobbies and social life by clicking here.Special: Anyone who becomes a “Triathlon Dominator” between now and January 1, 2010, will automatically receive a $97 Golden Ticket to the official Pacific Elite Fitness Triathlon Training Camp with head coach Ben Greenfield!

4)Click here to get the full scoop on the brand new Pacific Elite Fitness Triathlon Training Camp in Austin, Texas – including registration details, itinerary, food, training, activities and much more! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a fantastic deal on a camp because the Endurance Ranch in Austin has just opened and is offering Pacific Elite Fitness special promotional pricing. Click on the logo below to learn more, or simply e-mail [email protected] to add your name to the list.

That's all for this week! Remember, if you have any trouble listening, downloading, or transferring to your mp3 player just e-mail [email protected]. And don't forget to leave the podcast a ranking in iTunes – it only takes 2 minutes of your time and helps grow our healthy community! Just click here to go to our iTunes page and leave feedback. Upcoming episodes include expert interviews on Electrical Stimulation Devices, and Optimizing Biomechanical Movement Patterns During Exercise. Finally, remember all the time put into producing this podcast for you, and consider donating to our show, we’ll throw in a free T-shirt or your choice of any of the BenGreenfieldFitness active singlets, hoodies and hat pictured below and available in our new store.