This week we look at cyclic dextrin as a fuel source during training- is it actually better for us/blood sugar response?     Weights vs cardio?  Is one more advantageous for goals?   And, we announce how you can save some cash on Black Friday beginning now.    Click here for an opportunity to take advantage of reduced cost on Foundations Plus Program.   Operation Net Zero Podcast referenced is linked here. 

Four of the top question you asked:  - What are discretionary calories, why do they matter, and how much should we aim for? - What your thoughts on blood work done?  Should I get some?  What should I get for nutrition? - Why do people "relapse" on their weight/performance/nutrition goals? - I'm getting older.  How do my protein needs change...or do they?   Plus more!   Check out our programs and materials or subscribe to our newsletter on our website!

Heidi is a dietitian who recently joined V2P to help create great content and educate folks who want to learn more about nutrition.     We do an introduction, learn more about Heidi, her background, and recent (successful!) solo trip for elk!   Check out all of our information and content on our website!

We get a bunch of great questions from listeners, but Jake wanted to do a role-reversal on this episode to cover a TON of different topics as they pertain to nutrition at home, in the backcountry, and getting it all to work together.      

It’s really tough to make any kind of progress in training when we have near-constant setbacks while training.  Little issues can go from annoyance to concerning quickly.  We’re joined by Rob Minturn of Wilderness PT this week to talk about how we can avoid setbacks by taking care just a few small things on the front end.  Link to:  Super Feet Sheep Feet Glutey Tubey + cost. Bands on Amazon Rob’s social content

This is the recap of Kyle's 2024 dall sheep hunt in the Alaska Backcountry with Limitless Alaska Guiding and Mark Rowenhorst.  ---- Detailed gear and nutrition list is linked here for those interested.  ---- Click here for more information about Valley to Peak Nutrition and available resources!

Creatine has gained a load of attention in the last couple of years for it’s reported ability to enhance athletic performance, increase muscle size, and improve brain function.  With accolades like that, it’s no wonder that people are starting to ask “is there a use and benefit for taking creatine in the backcountry to enhance performance while in the mountains?” We’re here to answer that question today by evaluating:  What is creatine exactly? Should we care- why or why not? What’s...

My guest this week is Dustin Diefendurfer.  Dustin runs MTNTOUGH- a program and app that has become synonymous with training the dedicated.  This includes folks in the military, backcountry hunters, thru-hikers, wildland firefighters, ultra-runners, and just about everything in between.     Having had the chance to get to know Dustin and the entire crew over at MTNTOUGH through work we’ve done together in the last year has been nothing short of a great experience and learn from the exception...

Science is ever-evolving. The science of nutrition is not immune to this.  The worst thing someone who studies nutrition can do is plant their feet so firmly on an idea that they're unwilling to hear how it might've changed over the years.  I'm not immune to that.    Mark and I cover three things that we've both changed our minds on over the last five years when it comes to the topic of nutrition.    We delivered on the recipes for the backcountry bars.  You can find them linked here!   More...

This week I’m joined by Brian Barney.    You'll hear one theme come up time and again in this podcast: operating optimally on nothing more than the bare minimums.  Minimum time, minimum intel, minimum resources, yet still making it work.  I couldn’t think of a better person to invite on the podcast and learn from…plus he’s one of the genuinely best dudes on the planet.    Topics we look at:  Hearing how he’s approached his nutrition in the field- especially when water sources are scarce in...

Words like processed foods, inflammation, and seed oils are thrown around daily in articles and social media.  But, what do they really mean?  Are they as big of a concern as is suggested in the 30-second reels we see each day?  We cover more topics this week as we look at: processed food seed oils saturated fat inflammation antioxidant Questions?  Email us at [email protected].  Interested in free resources?  Check out all of the offerings at v2pnutrition.com. 

Words like GMO, organic, additives, and preservatives are thrown around daily about the topic of nutrition.  Most of us make our purchasing decisions based off of them, but do we really know what they mean?  This is a two part series to break these down and look at definitions and separate fact from fiction. 

We’re joined by Neil Bangs of the BSU Human Performance lab to talk about what tests are actually worth getting, what to do with the information it gives, and how approachable they really can be.  (Includes coneration about the basics behind VO2 Max tests, DEXA, Lactate, etc.).    BSU Human Performance Lab Valley to Peak Resources

Physical demands in the mountains can be quite extreme.  Factors like a heavy pack, varying terrain type, heat, weather, smoke, and elevation can wear anyone out.  What's the best way to be resistant to exhaustion in these conditions?  You train for it...   Dr. Brent Ruby joins us again in part two to cover this very topic.  Dr. Ruby's first episode.  Wildland fire nutrition article.  Learn more about Foundations Plus (starts July 2). 

Nutrition demands in the mountains are extreme.  Add factors like a heavy pack, varying terrain type, heat, weather, smoke, and you can wind up with nutrition needs that seem more like the calculation for an atoms potential than a calorie calculation.    Luckily for us, Dr. Brent Ruby spent more than 25 years studying this to help us understand exactly how it works.  He joints us for two parts- one on nutrition (this one) and the physical demands and training for such tasks in part 2....

You asked.  We answered.  What about white meat?  Do the same premises apply? How about vegetables?  I love grilled veggies, but are the risks the same? Is there an idea ration of red meat, white meat, and fish we should be aiming for in a week? How do you make your own jerky if you don't use nitrates? We typically make brats and summer sausage with our meat- is that ok or how do you process yours? Plus much, much more.  -- Link to Fueling Your Ascent Guide Foundations- Group 3-...

The 2024 Exo Mtn Gear Death Hike of the Grand Canyon's iconic rim-to-rim-to-rime is in the books.    We recap the hike, nutrition, how we changed out training- and a host of other topics.    Marks Food List Kyle's Food List Fueling When You Don't Feel Like It Guide  

“I recently watched a documentary suggesting that meat is the source of all health issues- should I stop hunting?”   This was a question we had on the documentary “What the Health”.  We looked at the main points in the documentary to determine what parts are completely false, what’s not the full story- and what part has some valid points.    Check out other Valley to Peak resources at: Valley to Peak Nutrition

Mike and I continue our conversation this week in part two of the listener Q&A.  In this, we dive into a host of topics that will help give answers to questions you may have had about for peak performance on and off the trails.  We look at: Why aiming for calorie-density for trail nutrition is a waste of time.   Backcountry nutrition strategies and differences from home nutrition. We explore how the variables of mileage, intensity, and temperature can impact our nutritional needs. Wee...

Over 75% of the Valley to Peak audience is men- a huge following.  So, why in the world would I choose to do an episode ‘for the ladies?  Because many of you have told the women in your life about Valley to Peak (thank you!).     We also started to see that many of the women we talked to all had the same questions...the same goals...and the same struggles.  Who better to filter those questions through than two women who have shared the struggle, faced it, and been successful?   Plus, what...

"You said the concerns with artificial sweeteners are overrated...how is that possible?"   Part 1: I'm joined by a listen of the show- Mike Tennant- to talk through something I said WAY back in Episode 34.  In this, we tackle ALL things related to artificial sweaters.    Why did I make that comment? What does science say about them? Why does it seem like everyone who eats them is overweight if they're so 'healthy'? Isn't it better to just have the "real" thing? We tackle all of this and...

"I didn't want to be a dad who couldn't keep up w/ his kids." This is all about taking your life back and some practical steps to do it.  Jack Lander joins me this week to share his awesome story of what woke him up to make changes in his life that let to an 80lb weight loss, find running, and an entirely different mindset.  --- Jacks contact information -- More resources from Valley to Peak 

"I'm not sure it can be as miserable as the earlier ones because of all the lessons we've learned over the years..."   Our friends Mark and Steve from Exo Mtn Gear join us to talk through just what those lessons are.     Check out the recap of the last 10 years in this journal article from Exo.    Learn more about the food + gear Mark and I took on the AK death hike in the links below.    Mark's Gear and Food List Kyle's Gear and Food List

"I wake up crazy early to exercise and have no time to eat beforehand...suggestions?" "I'm not a mountain climber...will your program even work for me?" Collagen.  Nutrition at altitude.  -- Lindsay joins me this week to tackle your questions on the first QA of 2024! -- Check out Valley to Peak Nutrition resources.