On this week's episode of the Purple Patch podcast, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon delves into the topic of stress. Dealing with stress is crucial for personal growth, but it can also negatively impact your daily performance.  In this episode, Matt highlights the role of stress in nutrition and eating habits and emphasizes three key areas where your approach and the role of stress can determine your success or struggle.  Matt explains how different stressors can affect athletes' eating habits. He describes how stress can create weaknesses by disrupting regulatory processes that help us maintain healthy eating habits, which can derail adherence to a smart eating plan. Matt offers guidance on how to adjust your mindset and approach to the quantity, quality, and timing of your meals to better cope with stress, develop a strategy, and improve your overall health. He also discusses supportive habits in other areas of performance, such as sleep and training, that can complement your nutritional approach. Additionally, Matt talks about the concept of "race weight" and how focusing excessively on it can increase stress, create an unhealthy relationship with food, and derail your goals. We recommend listening to this episode before making any changes to your eating habits. It will help you broaden your perspective and understand what you can do to achieve your desired results. Whether you want to improve your race day performance, change your body composition, maintain good health, or be more productive at work, managing stress is crucial to adopting a healthy approach. In this episode, we also provide resources for anyone looking for expert guidance on their nutritional journey. Click below for more information on how to better understand and manage your nutritional needs. Click here for the SPECIAL Fuelin Landing Page   Episode Timestamps 00:00 - 03:55 - Welcome and Episode Introduction 04:18 - 07:41 - Matt’s News-ings 07:56 - 10:03 - Word of the Week 10:10 - 46:05 - The Meat and Potatoes - Episode 309: Understanding Nutrition and Stress Purple Patch and Episode Resources Purple Patch Video Podcast and More 2024 Purple Patch Performance Camps - SIGN UP NOW for our Napa Valley and South Carolina Training Camps We've reimagined indoor cycling - Find out more about Purple Patch Bike Live & On-Demand Learn more about 1:1 Coaching Come try the Purple Patch Tri-Squad Get a Free Taste of Purple Patch Strength ORDER NOW - 2024 PURPLE PATCH APPAREL Everything you need to know about the Purple Patch Methodology Join the Purple Patch Team The Purple Patch Center is Open - Learn More and Schedule a Visit Purple Patch Coaching Consultation Learn more about our Tri Squad Program Send us a message This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Inside Tracker and Purple Patch- Receive 20% off their services with code: PURPLEPATCHPRO20 Ask Matt Anything - Leave a voicemail question for Matt Learn more about Purple Patch Squad High-Performance Training Program Join Run Squad - Increase your running performance through our progressive, multi-sport approach to running Learn more about Purple Patch Fully Customized 1:1 Coaching Learn more about Purple Patch Strength Programming Purple Patch Swim Analysis Stay Up-to-Date with Purple Patch News and Events Purple Patch Upcoming Webinars and Events