Mid Life Athlete

Jason Smith & Greg Ryan

Many more of us are challenging ourselves and performing at a high level in sport, particularly endurance sports, well into our middle age. This podcast explores everything you want to know as a mid-life athlete, from how age affects our performance; how our bodies react to training; how should we train as a mid-life athlete; how can we prevent injury; what’s the best recovery process; tips on nutrition and how can we improve our mental health & psychology. We’ll interview experts in their field from coaches, medical professionals, trainers etc and a range of successful mid-life athletes to explore the secrets to success as a mid-life athlete. The Midlife Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them. Go to https://midlifeathlete.substack.com to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox. Email us via midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.com Twitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Midlife Athlete podcast uses Buzzsprout to get our shows out to the world. Buzzsprout is easy, inexpensive and a fun way to have your own talk show. We love how our show is online and listed in all the major podcast directories (like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more) within minutes of finishing our podcast.To get started with Buzzsprout, use the link below. It lets Buzzsprout know we sent you and helps support our show. Plus if you sign up for a paid plan they’ll send you a $20 Amazon gift card.https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1456093 read less
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness
Play Trailer
Introduction to Mid Life Athlete
Dec 14 2020
Introduction to Mid Life Athlete
Many more of us are challenging ourselves and performing at a high level in sport, particularly endurance sports, well into our middle age. Greg and Jason introduce the podcast which is meant to explore everything you want to know as a mid-life athlete, from how age affects our performance; how our bodies react to training; how should we train as a mid-life athlete; how can we prevent injury; what’s the best recovery process; tips on nutrition and how can we improve our mental health & psychology. Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.

Episodes

S4E3 Patagonman
Jan 28 2024
S4E3 Patagonman
Jason and Greg chat to Gavin Booker, who recently took on and conquered Patagonman. The race is not for beginners. It's  a grueling triathlon that takes place in one of the most breathtaking natural settings in the world. Starting in the Aysen Fjord, athletes must swim 3.8 kilometers, cycle 180 kilometers along the famous Carretera Austral, and then run 42.2 kilometers through canyons, next to lakes and waterfalls to General Carrera Lake. Along the way, participants may encounter a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, sea lions, whales, dolphins, foxes, and even pumas. Turns out Gavin also has an interesting back story, which leads to another inspiring story.  Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
New Year resolutions
Jan 1 2024
New Year resolutions
Happy New Year everyone. We shoot the breeze with some New Year resolutions and future guests. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S4E1 We're back!
Nov 19 2023
S4E1 We're back!
Afer a long hiatus of 6 months where kids exams, the Summer and work/life got in the way Greg and Jason are back for a season 4. We intend to complete delving into our mid life athlete framework plus we're going back to where we all started with mid life athletes and expert guests. Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E12 One Man's Quest to Lift 200 Elephants!
May 27 2023
S3E12 One Man's Quest to Lift 200 Elephants!
Jason and Greg are back interviewing  amazing mid life athletes. In this episode we chat to Matthew Forgham, who was part of a team of 6 men shifting 1 million kg of weight in 24 hours. The challenge was to raise awareness and funds for endometriosis, a condition that affects one in ten women, (176 million women globally). Matthew was the only mid life athlete. The challenge involved using free weights (weighted squats, deadlifts, barbell rows and bench press) to move the 1 million kg. The weight is the equivalent of lifting and moving 200 fully grown elephants!You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/onemillionkgchallengeHaving seen the benefits of weight training first hand, this challenge has inspired Matthew to create another challenge that inspires  other mid life people & athletes to adopt weight training. This podcast is also a call out to listeners to get in touch with  ideas that Matthew and the Mid Life Athlete podcast team can turn into an annual challenge. Drop us a line at midlifeathletepodcast@gmail,com  The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E11 How to approach strength training
Apr 8 2023
S3E11 How to approach strength training
In this episode, Jason and Greg discuss the importance of strength training in maintaining health and athletic performance, and provide advice on how to create a structured strength training program. We talk about the need to have specific goals and how understanding the principles of specificity, overload, and progression are important in creating an effective program. We outline seven steps to consider, including conducting a needs analysis, selecting exercises, and determining training frequency.If you would like to access the detailed notes behind this episode then please subscribe to our paid Substack posts.The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteEmail us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
Our own Greg Ryan & Nick Gibbins chase another burpee world record
Mar 15 2023
Our own Greg Ryan & Nick Gibbins chase another burpee world record
Listeners may have heard Greg talk about his latest challenge - an attempt at the 24 hr team relay burpee world record.  Instigated by Nick Gibbins a team of 3 men and 3 women will attempt to do over 12,000 burpees in a 24 hr period to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease. Three of the team are mid life athletes and fair to say exploring the boundaries of what we think is feasible for those of us in middle age. This is the story of their attempt to break that world record over the weekend of 11-12 March 2023. If you feel like contributing to the charity then here is the Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/24hrburpeeworldrecord?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=24hrburpeeworldrecord&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=c750bb6d2bda44c8be0b4a1eedac5e7eThe Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteEmail us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E10 Anaerobic Training - what happens when we do it
Feb 26 2023
S3E10 Anaerobic Training - what happens when we do it
This is part 1 of a 2 part chapter on anaerobic training. Anaerobic training is important for mid-life athletes to combat muscle loss, strength loss, and loss of power as they age. It involves high-intensity, intermittent bouts of exercise that require the regeneration of ATP at a much faster rate than aerobic exercise. Anaerobic training uses the phosphagen and glycolytic system, while the aerobic system is involved in the recovery of energy stores and the expulsion of metabolic wastes during rest and low-intensity exercise. The benefits of anaerobic training include increased strength, power, hypertrophy of muscles, endurance, motor skills, and coordination. The types of anaerobic training include resistance training, plyometrics, speed, agility, and interval training. Neural adaptations occur with anaerobic training, such as increased agonist muscle involvement, motor neuron firing rate, improved timing of synchronous recruitment during high-intensity exercise, and reduction in inhibitory mechanisms. Central changes occur when intent is present in the higher brain centers to produce maximal muscle force. Motor units must be activated to produce maximal force, and an increase in the firing rate results in summation of successive twitches and greater muscle force production.If you would like to access the detailed notes behind this episode then please subscribe to our paid Substack posts.The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteEmail us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E9 How to train for aerobic & VO2 capacity
Feb 12 2023
S3E9 How to train for aerobic & VO2 capacity
Aerobic and VO2 capacity training is important for mid-life athletes as aerobic capacity decreases after the age of 40 years and VO2 max decreases gradually with age. These declines can be slowed down by aerobic exercise, done correctly. The ideal training is a mix between "zone 2" training and high-intensity workouts like interval training. "Zone 2" is moderate intensity characterized by low blood lactate, controlled ventilation, and low perceived effort. This type of training facilitates a larger overall training volume and is favorable for inducing mitochondrial adaptations in slow-twitch muscle fibers. High-intensity training is also beneficial but may have different adaptations. The study by McMaster University in Canada showed that low-intensity and sprint interval training enhances mitochondrial protein content in fast-twitch type II fibers, while slow-twitch type I fibers require low-intensity training for adaptations. Training intensity is linked to adaptations to mitochondrial respiratory function, and overall, training volume is important for building mitochondrial protein, and intensity for tuning them up.If you would like to access the detailed notes behind this episode then please subscribe to our paid Substack posts.The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteEmail us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E8 The respiratory & circulatory systems
Jan 29 2023
S3E8 The respiratory & circulatory systems
Jason and Greg discuss the respiratory and circulatory systems and how they work together to support the body. The circulatory system, made up of the heart and blood vessels, brings blood to and from the lungs to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues and organs, while also removing carbon dioxide and waste products. The respiratory system, which includes the lungs, alveoli, and diaphragm, is responsible for breathing and facilitating the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood. The autonomic nervous system controls breathing and regulates the cardiovascular system, including heart rate and blood pressure, and prepares the body for physical activityIf you would like to access the detailed notes behind this episode then please subscribe to our paid Substack posts.The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteEmail us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E7 The body's energy systems
Jan 22 2023
S3E7 The body's energy systems
In this episode, Jason and Greg tackle the basic tenants of the bodies energy systems. Show notesThe energy systems represent the body’s ability to convert chemical energy stored in food into mechanical work. There are three main energy systems that the human body uses during exercise. The phosphagen system is the primary energy system used during short-term, high-intensity exercises such as sprinting or weightlifting. Glycolytic system uses lactate from the muscles and glucose from the blood and stored glycogen to provide energy to the muscles. The oxidative system is slower than the phosphagen and glycolytics systems, but can sustain energy production for a longer period of time. The primary players involved in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis are insulin and glucagon. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas. When blood glucose levels get too high, insulin acts to reduce the concentration of blood glucose. Glucagon, a hormone also produced by the liver, converts glycogen in the liver to glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream.If you would like to access the detailed notes behind this episode then please subscribe to our paid Substack posts.The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteEmail us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E6 Muscles: how they work
Jan 7 2023
S3E6 Muscles: how they work
Before we delve into one of the main parts of the Mid Life Athlete framework - exercise - we thought we’d tackle some foundational topics, starting with muscles and how they work. In this episode we cover:Three types of muscleSwitching on the muscleActivationRecruitment patternsLeversBiomechanical factors & forceBasic types of actionIf you would like to access the detailed notes behind this episode then please subscribe to our paid Substack posts. The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athleteEmail us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E5 A slight change in direction. Introducing Mid Life Athlete framework
Dec 17 2022
S3E5 A slight change in direction. Introducing Mid Life Athlete framework
After 2 years of interviewing mid life athletes and experts, we've learnt a heap of things and are taking a slight change in direction. During our Summer break we started drawing on that knowledge to work on a framework for mid life athletes. After a few tweaks we are ready to share our work with listeners.  This prompted us to think about changing the podcast slightly, to move away from interviews and focus more on delving into the details behind the framework.  We'll still interview people but it will be mainly in support of a topic in the framework. Listener feedback has always been asking us about the how: how do I implement what you're talking about. That's what the next phase of the podcast will be mainly about. To view the framework visit: https://midlifeathlete.substack.com/Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E4 Should we rethink healthcare as more prevention-as-a-service?
Nov 18 2022
S3E4 Should we rethink healthcare as more prevention-as-a-service?
We've mentioned many times on this podcast the benefits of exercise on health. With significant behaviour change could we rethink healthcare as more of a prevention as a service rather than sickcare which is what we've got today. Dr Ramin Rafei thinks we can. Jason and Greg chat to Ramin about how he came to rethink healthcare and what his interesting approach is via his start-up Unleash. Ramin is a passionate supporter of changing our view on healthcare and he has some ambitious goals. For some accompanying reading:Latest blog from Unleash: https://unleash.health/unleash-blog/this-is-the-story-of-unleashMedium article by Ramin Rafei: https://medium.com/@drrafiei/prevention-as-a-service-a-business-model-that-will-fix-healthcare-166dad254ce5The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Email us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E3 Questions you may ask about a Mid Life Athlete Framework, with listener & mid life athlete JC Cangilla
Nov 4 2022
S3E3 Questions you may ask about a Mid Life Athlete Framework, with listener & mid life athlete JC Cangilla
Jason and Greg chat to JC Cangilla, a listener & mid life athlete who reached out with some questions following us publishing a newsletter on a draft mid life athlete framework: https://open.substack.com/pub/midlifeathlete/p/mid-life-athlete-framework?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webJC's original questions were how do you balance short term vs long term  goals coupled with balancing stuff you should do but within life's constraints.  We were convinced that many of you would have similar questions so we got JC on the show to discuss in more depth. The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Email us: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E2 Who would have thought of sweat as data?
Oct 15 2022
S3E2 Who would have thought of sweat as data?
Greg and Jason chat to Stefan van der Fluit, Founder and CEO of FlowBio and 2018 Netherlands age group ironman champion. Who would have thought of our sweat as data. Well that’s exactly what FlowBio does. Through its innovative Flowpatch it measures our sweet in real time enabling athletes to understand their hydration and sodium levels. It’s a breakthrough piece of tech that is currently being beta tested with a few pro athletes, including the Brownlee brothers. What they have learnt so far about hydration and sodium is fascinating.Check out https://www.flowbio.com/The Mid Life Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Mid Life Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Email: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S3E1 Alternative truth
Sep 23 2022
S3E1 Alternative truth
Mildly enraged by a few articles that came across Greg's screen this week, we unpick the central messages behind these articles and call out what we think are alternative truths.  Extending these themes we talk about Stephen Seiler's recent interview with Kilian Jornet, which you can find on our substack: https://midlifeathlete.substack.com/p/training-lessons-from-the-lover-of?r=rxa77&s=w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webThe Midlife Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Midlife Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Get in touch: midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
Musings #7
Sep 17 2022
Musings #7
We're back for Season 3! To kick off, Jason and Greg catch up on their summer exercise;, chat about v1 of the Mid Life Athlete framework revealed via our Substack site and how important it is to focus on form when starting back to training and exercise. A new season kick off wouldn't be complete without looking forward to some future guests and topics. The Midlife Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Midlife Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Get in touch with us via midlifeathletepodcast@gmail.com  Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S2E19 Breaking the marathon age group world record at 71. What mid life athletes can learn?
Jun 14 2022
S2E19 Breaking the marathon age group world record at 71. What mid life athletes can learn?
This episode provides a possible glimpse into our future. We chat to Jo Schoonbroodt or ‘Jogger Jo’ as he is colloquially known, who at 71 just ran a 2 hr 54 min 19 sec marathon to become the world record holder for the 70-74 age group. An astonishing feat that many of us mid life athletes would be proud of! Jo has a great approach and philosophy to running that we can all take on board. As you’d expect we asked for some tips for us mere whipper snappers. If you want to follow Jo, he’s on Twitter, Instagram & Strava.www.facebook.com/JoggerJowww.instagram.com/jo.schoonbroodthttp://twitter.com/JoggerJohttps://www.strava.com/athletes/2959267 His website is: www.jogger.tkThe Midlife Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Midlife Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S2E18 Sleep: why it's important; how to measure & tips for improving quality
May 31 2022
S2E18 Sleep: why it's important; how to measure & tips for improving quality
Like it or loathe it, we all need sleep. Pretty much every animal sleeps and given the risks associated with being unconscious for periods of time then it must be pretty important. In this episode we delve much deeper into sleep, with 2 experts: Dr Jonathan Charest is the Director of Athlete Sleep Services at the Centre for Sleep & Human Performance in Calgary and Jesse Cook, a Clinical Psych PhD Student & sleep researcher who has particular interest in advancing clinical care of hypersomnia & wearable sleep tech.In the episode, Jonathan talks about blue blocking glasses which you can see more of here:  https://youtu.be/wiTSFLRHJRIThe Midlife Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Midlife Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.
S2E17 Setting a new Everesting record
May 22 2022
S2E17 Setting a new Everesting record
It's not often you get to interview a word record holder but Jason & Greg had the pleasure of chatting to Nima Javaheri, who set a new cycling Everesting world record in March 2022, raising money for blood cancer. Nima's no stranger to incredible feats of endurance having previously competed and won the https://backyardultra.com/races/witiker-backyard-ultra/. All of this whilst holding down a busy job as a banker. Listen in to hear him talk about his mental fortitude and explain his pretty unusual approach to training. For a little insight into the challenge you can watch a short film of Nima's world breaking ride here: https://youtu.be/wqCQyS9AGj4You can watch a short film of Nima's 2021 win here: https://youtu.be/6Us08q13oKAThe Midlife Athlete podcasts are free and we hope our fans enjoy them.Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.You can find Midlife Athlete onTwitter @PodMidInstagram @mid_life_athlete Support the showClick here to subscribe to our newsletter and automatically get our latest podcasts, blogs, offers etc into your inbox.