Archive - Ultra Running & Destroying The Colorado Crush On A Plant Based Diet With Robbie Balenger

Archive - Ultra Running & Destroying The Colorado Crush On A Plant Based Diet With Robbie Balenger

In today’s episode, Nick talks with ultra-endurance athlete Robbie Balenger about his accomplishments, recovery techniques, diet, and running career. While he has admired Robbie for some time, Nick met Robbie for the first time in Leadville when the two ran the Leadville 100. Robbie had formerly completed the 2019 Transcontinental run, and his competition of the Leadville 100 was part of what he dubbed the ‘Colorado Crush” - a multi-month undertaking consisting of the Leadville trail series, the Colorado trail, and all fifty-eight Colorado peaks.

By way of background, Robbie shares that he spent a number of years in Austin before moving to his current city of Denver, CO. He moved to Austin for family, but stayed for the fun, getting into the food and bar scene and spending a lot of time partying. Eventually, though, Robbie started falling in love with running and endurance training, and he found that it provided a healthy form of the same elation he pursued through partying. Seeing that partying didn’t help him be his best for his work, and finding in running a substitute for the physical boost partying gave, Robbie found himself more and more invested in the sport.

His races quickly evolved -a half marathon led to a marathon, and then to an eighty-mile race. About two and a half years after his first fifty-miler, Robbie was running the Transcontinental. His move to Denver only deepened his drive to run, and transitioning to a plant-based diet aided his performance as an athlete. Robbie’s aim in changing his diet was primarily to enhance his performance, but it also had a secondary grounding in concern for environmental health. While Robbie is a committed advocate of plant-based eating, he also explains how people can care for environmental needs even without adopting his plant-based diet; for one thing, they can pay close attention to sourcing when purchasing and consuming meat.

Even with rigorous training and a plant-based whole food diet, Robbie’s body was seriously challenged by the Transcontinental. He dealt with hallucinations and paranoia, shin splints, tendonitis, and more. But after the first month of running, his body adapted and the work became somewhat easier. As he settled in and ran, he was able to do a lot of thinking; ultimately, Robbie feels that he came away from the race with a deepened sense of self-confidence, growth in trust of/reliance on others, and a clearer sense of how to define himself as a man.

Shifting gears a bit, Nick asks Robbie to share about NuCalm, one of Robbie’s sponsors and a company Nick and his team are interested in exploring. NuCalm offers a unique concept for recovery centered on the fact that recovery at base is rest. It’s difficult during races to get good sleep, so Robbie decided to use NuCalm’s three-part system to enhance his sleep quality and foster cellular recovery during the Leadville 100. He tried the system throughout the Colorado Crush, and continues to use it as part of his regular routine. His results have been profound, and offer great possibilities for runners looking to boost recovery both during and after races.

Finally, Robbie shares about how cycling fits into

Avsnitt(192)

145: The Pitfalls of High Volume Endurance Training

145: The Pitfalls of High Volume Endurance Training

In this episode, I break down the real costs when volume is mismanaged. I share what I’ve learned firsthand while building toward Ironman Arizona—how I fuel hard work without under-eating, protect muscle, keep hormones in check, and use recovery and sleep as performance tools. This isn’t fear—it’s a framework. If you’re pushing big miles, you need a plan that matches your ambition: smart nutrition, balanced programming, intentional recovery.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction03:47 Balancing Strength and Endurance Training09:58 Energy Deficiency in Endurance Training24:57 Nutrient Deficiency and Endurance Essentials36:38 Muscle Wasting and Reduced Strength45:04 Disordered Eating in Endurance Athletes52:59 Hormone Disruption from High Volume Training58:49 High Risk of Injury in Endurance Training01:03:49 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

27 Okt 1h 4min

144: Evolution of the Entrepreneur - Should You Turn Passion Into a Career?

144: Evolution of the Entrepreneur - Should You Turn Passion Into a Career?

In this episode, I walk through the six stages of evolving as an entrepreneur — from a passion for fitness to building a purpose-driven brand. I share how adaptability, leadership, and clarity of purpose fuel long-term success. Whether you're just starting out or scaling your vision, this episode will help you stay rooted in why you began while pushing toward what’s next.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction02:38 Seeking Inspiration from the Team04:55 Turning Passion into a Business07:28 The Importance of Adaptability08:42 John Maxwell's Insights on Adaptability12:47 Reflecting on BPN's Evolution16:33 Starting BPN: The Early Days35:39 From Passion to Process40:14 Choosing Your Path: Hands-On or Hands-Off?43:43 Building Momentum: From $2K to $10K47:28 Stage Two: From Passion to Process47:48 Stage Three: Momentum Makes It Real54:06 Stage Four: Survival of the Fittest01:05:41 Stage Five: From Process to People01:13:02 Stage Six: From People to Purpose01:18:23 Full Circle: Passion and PurposeORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

20 Okt 1h 19min

143: Five Things I Learned in My 30s that You Need to Know

143: Five Things I Learned in My 30s that You Need to Know

Over the last decade, I’ve learned lessons that changed the way I lead, train, and live. These five takeaways from my thirties are built on experience—earned through challenges, failures, and growth. If you’re chasing clarity in your own journey, these insights will help you move with purpose and go all in.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction02:39 John C. Maxwell's Influence07:59 Influence vs. Popularity19:16 Building Trust and Competence25:20 The Ranger School Experience35:09 The Importance of Reward and Passion35:54 Protecting Your Priorities40:00 Building Your Inner Circle45:53 Balancing Sacrifice and Success59:37 Impress Less, Impact More01:06:41 Final Thoughts on LeadershipORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

13 Okt 1h 8min

142: What You Asked Me on Instagram

142: What You Asked Me on Instagram

In this episode, I answer various questions from a Q&A posted on Instagram, sharing insights on my training regimen, nutrition strategies, and reflections on personal growth through faith. But first, you'll get a good story for laughs.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:36 Ironman Prep and Family Challenges01:18 Running and Training Insights06:19 Fuel Strategy for Long Runs09:36 New Product Launch and Brand Evolution11:09 Story Time20:00 Q&A: The Importance of Mentors29:28 Q&A: Consistency and Motivation37:12 Core Values and Decision Making38:41 Faith Journey and Bible Reading41:01 Transformation Through Christ45:48 Faith's Impact on Leadership49:51 Lessons in Obedience and Change54:21 Contentment and Ambition01:01:52 Post-Ironman Training Plans01:06:56 Managing Sickness During TrainingORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

6 Okt 1h 15min

141: The Complexities of RED-S in Athletes | Dr. Kyle Gillett

141: The Complexities of RED-S in Athletes | Dr. Kyle Gillett

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Gillett returns a third time to explore with me the growing issue of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), how it affects athletes' performance and overall health, and strategies to mitigate its impacts.We also touch on the influence of social media on health perceptions, the effectiveness of red light therapy for recovery and sleep, and the recent buzz linking high-mileage running to colon cancer.CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:11 Social Media and Health Information 06:18 Understanding RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) 10:47 Impact of RED-S on Athletes 16:05 Hormonal and Genetic Factors in RED-S 21:16 Cortisol and Its Role in RED-S 49:06 Personal Experiences and Training Insights 57:54 Unsustainable Ironman Training 59:54 Social Media's Impact on Fitness 01:04:03 Exploring Light Therapy 01:21:05 High Mileage Running and Colon Cancer 01:34:43 Alcohol and Its Effects on Health 01:41:04 Parenting and Core Values 01:48:51 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsBecome a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFE ⁠https://bpn.team/member⁠Your trusted partner for Concierge Medicine & Aesthetics ⁠https://gilletthealth.com/⁠FOLLOW: IG: ⁠instagram.com/nickbarefitness/⁠ YT: ⁠youtube.com/@nickbarefitness⁠KEEP UP WITH DR. GILLETT IG: ⁠instagram.com/kylegillettmd/

29 Sep 1h 49min

140: All Things Recovery and Protocols I Use

140: All Things Recovery and Protocols I Use

I break down the recovery protocols fueling my peak Ironman Arizona build—from sleep and nutrition to sauna, cold plunge, and red-light therapy. I share lessons, stress-balance tactics, and family moments that keep me grounded. Whether you’re training hard or seeking better daily recovery, this episode delivers practical tools to optimize performance and prevent injury.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview04:44 Training and Recovery Challenges08:53 Understanding Stress and Recovery21:41 Balancing the Nervous System28:41 Tracking Recovery Metrics32:23 Prioritizing Sleep for Optimal Recovery40:32 The Game-Changing Sleep Tool46:42 The Role of Nutrition in Recovery54:16 Sauna and Cold Plunge Benefits01:03:48 Exploring Red Light Therapy01:12:28 Compression Boots and Massage Guns01:15:19 The Importance of Physical TherapyORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

22 Sep 1h 17min

139: What I’ve Learned From a Loyal Friend with BPN Director of Communications, Trey Freeman

139: What I’ve Learned From a Loyal Friend with BPN Director of Communications, Trey Freeman

I sit down with one of my closest friends and BPN’s Director of Communications, Trey Freeman, to reflect on five and a half years of building BPN side-by-side.We dig into the real challenges of balancing work, faith, and family—Trey opens up about his leap of faith to Austin, seasons of freelancing, heartbreaking miscarriages, and the strength he’s found through it all.This episode is a raw look at personal growth, the grit of building a high-performing team, and how an unshakable foundation of faith fuels life and business.ORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

15 Sep 1h 30min

138: 5 Traits You'll Find in Exceptional Leaders

138: 5 Traits You'll Find in Exceptional Leaders

In this episode, we explore insights from various sources, including the Maxwell Daily Reader and personal anecdotes, to provide a comprehensive guide to exceptional leadership in various contexts, from business to family life. Additionally, we reflect on the importance of setting and maintaining high standards, fostering a positive and productive environment, and the need for continuous personal and professional growth.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:38 The Importance of Leadership11:45 Three Essential Traits of Leaders13:53 Trait 125:08 Trait 231:40 Consistency and Accountability in Leadership34:10 Trait 341:59 Trait 449:58 Trait 554:59 Push, Pull, and Patience: Leadership TechniquesORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

8 Sep 55min

Populärt inom Hälsa

somna-med-henrik
rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
inga-beiga-morsor
alska-oss
angestpodden
johannes-hansen-podcast
rss-viktmedicinpodden
sexnoveller-deluxe
not-fanny-anymore
brottarbroder
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
sova-med-dan-horning
rss-the-house-podcast-3
handen-pa-hjartat
giggles-med-wiggles
rss-personlighetspodden
tyngre-radio
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-pa-insidan-med-bjorn-rudman
rss-the-house-podcast-4