All Things Endurance

Latest Episodes:

Episode 34: The Lore of Zone 2 - The Scientific Reality with Guest Dr. Brendon Gurd Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

In the realm of endurance sports training these days, there isn’t a much hotter (or controversial) topic than Zone 2 training. Zone 2 training has long been a training staple for many endurance athletes as it’s historically been touted as the best intensity to train at to induce specific physiological adaptations such as mitochondrial and capillary density.

However, recent specific research into Zone 2 training has largely debunked this long-standing narrative. More specifically, it turns the narrative on its head as higher intensities have been found to have a greater impact on mitochondrial and capillary density as compared to low intensities.

This new research will undoubtedly shift athletes’ perceptions of training intensity and therefore how to structure training programs.

In this episode of ‘All Things Endurance,’ host Rick Prince discusses the Zone 2 topic with Dr. Brendon Gurd, Professor of Muscle Physiology at Queen’s University.

Dr. Gurd discusses the science behind different exercise intensities with respect to physiological adaptations. In short, zone 2 as it pertains to being the ideal zone for enhancing physiological adaptations such as mitochondrial and capillary density is a myth.

Whether you’re an athlete or coach, consider this myth busting podcast a must!

Here are 2 resources related to this podcast we'd like you to have: Dr. Gurd's Zone 2 Presentation Slide deck (as a PDF), and a very new research article (April 2025) reviewing the efficacy of Zone 2 training for improving mitochondrial capacity and cardiovascular fitness

Download Here: https://uesca.com/download/zone-2-podcast-resources/

Below are the areas that Rick and Dr. Gurd discuss:

Could you tell our listeners a bit about your background?
Zone 2 is a really hot topic these days, specifically in regard to increasing one’s aerobic fitness and overall health. How did this become such a focal point recently?
From an athletic performance standpoint, it seems that the main rationale for Z2 training is that it has the greatest effect on increasing mitochondrial and capillary density. Is there any truth to this?
1. Is there any intensity which increases mitochondrial and capillary density the most?
As there is often a trickle down effect from what professional athletes do to what us mere mortals do, do you think that the fact that a lot of pros do high volume at relative low intensity has factored into the popularity of Z2?
Are there any overall aerobic training trends that you would recommend to most endurance athletes?
For a time-crunched endurance athlete, would you recommend an overall higher intensity level for a good portion of their training sessions (vs. a lot of time in Z2)?
As one of the basic aspects of adaptation is that you need to have stress to elicit gains, should athletes that predominately do only Z2 training expect to plateau without increasing bouts of intensity?
Aside from recovery days, is there such a thing as going too easy where little to no physiological adaptations occur? If so, what is what level/intensity?
Lastly, should all endurance athletes incorporate all levels of intensity into their training?

Episode 33: Why Athletes Fall for Pseudoscience and Fad Diets Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of ‘All Things Endurance Podcast,’ host, Rick Prince chats with journalist and writer, Zoë Rom and registered dietitian, Kylee Van Horn. Zoë and Kylee are co-hosts of the podcast, ‘Your Diet Sucks.’

This is the first of a three-part podcast series with Zoë and Kylee. The future podcast episodes will be: ‘The Truth About Racing Weight,’ and ‘When Performance Meets Appearance: Body Image in Endurance Sports.’

Below are the areas that Rick, Zoë and Kylee chat about during this episode:

Could you tell our listeners a bit about yourselves?
A lot of endurance athletes are type-A and intellectual by nature. So why is it that so many endurance athletes fall for biohacks, detoxes and other nutritional misinformation?
How can an athlete tell if a diet is a ‘fad’ diet and is there a correct approach to getting accurate information about nutrition?
A lot of individuals will agree that quick fixes in most areas are likely crap, but that doesn’t always translate to nutrition. Why do you think this is?
Myths die hard… if at all. What are some common nutrition myths that won’t seem to die that continue to get passed on?
What are some of the more common fad diets currently?
A lot of athletes assume that data is the end all, be all of training information. While data is important, could you explain how data can be misinterpreted with respect to training and nutrition?
In the age of influencers and social media where it seems that almost everyone has an opinion on nutrition, who are some people or websites that you recommend athletes check out for fact/science-based nutrition information?
How much of a role does athletes seeking out perfection influence their likelihood of falling for misinformation and the latest nutrition trend?

Episode 32: Training Considerations for Gravel Racing with Guest Ben Sharp Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

We're glad you joined us for this episode! Use code ATE75 to receive $75 off any UESCA certification

In this episode of ‘All Things Endurance,’ host, Rick Prince chats with elite cycling coach, Ben Sharp. Ben is the co-owner of Sharp Coaching and has coached all levels of cyclists from amateurs to Olympic gold medalists. Ben himself is a masters track cycling world champion and former US masters national road race champion.

In this episode, Rick and Ben discuss the rise of gravel and more specifically, how to train effectively for gravel racing and how it differs from training for other cycling disciplines.

Some of the areas discussed are:

· Key differences between road and gravel cycling

· Importance of sustained power

· Role of volume in training program

· How to train for bike handling skills of gravel riding/racing

· Different tactics based on the goal of a gravel race

· How to properly warm up for a gravel race

If you participate in gravel riding/racing, you won’t want to miss this one!

Talking Points for this Episode

1. Could you tell our listeners a bit more about your background?

2. As road racing has been on an unfortunate steady decline over the years in the US, gravel riding and racing has largely taken its place. What are some things that you attribute the rise of gravel to?

3. Do you now see gravel replacing road racing as a means for US riders to get noticed and possibly, land pro contracts in Europe?

4. What are some of the key differences with respect to training for gravel versus road?

5. We hear about power training a lot with respect to cycling, how important is sustained power during gravel racing?

6. What are some key bike-specific considerations with gravel riding/racing?

7. A lot of gravel races cover long distances, would you say that for the average gravel rider/racer, endurance is one of the biggest success factors?

8. Following up on the prior question, for the average gravel rider/racer, do things such as sprint training and high-intensity intervals still have a place in training?

9. How important are bike handling skills for gravel riders/racers and more specifically, what are some of the more important bike handling skills to master?

What, if any tactics are different in gravel racing versus road racing?

Episode 31: Coaching Considerations Regarding Disordered Eating with Guest Brant Stachel May 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of All Things Endurance, host Rick Prince chats with running coach and psychotherapist, Brant Stachel. Regarding his work as a psychotherapist, his focus is on sports performance and disordered eating. As both an endurance coach and disordered eating specialist, Brant brings a unique and very informed perspective to this very important topic.
Below are some of the main topics that Brant discusses:

1. Could you tell our listeners about your background?

2. Disordered eating is becoming more of a topic these days. What does disordered eating encompass?

3. Do you think that endurance athletes have an increased chance of having an eating disorder due to the desire to lower their body weight to become more competitive.

4. Are there any signs that coaches should be aware of in regard to disordered eating?

5. If a coach believes that their athlete may have an eating disorder, how should a coach proceed – both in terms of what to say to them, and what should be the first person that they are recommended to?

6. As a therapist who focuses on individuals with eating disorders, do you work closely with registered dietitians?

7. What should a coach do if an athlete does not admit to having an eating disorder, and/or admits to it but won’t seek help?

8. What can a coach do to best help and support an athlete that has an eating disorder?

9. A lot of endurance athletes are type A personalities. As such, do you find that many of them have addictive personalities and that instead of being addicted to drugs or alcohol, some are addicted to exercise and disordered eating?

Episode 30: Program Development and Training Zone Myths and Facts with Guest Dr. G Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of ‘All Things Endurance,’ host Rick Prince chats with exercise physiologist, Dr. Genadijus Sokolovas (Dr. G). Dr. G is widely regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished physiologists.
In this podcast, Rick and Dr. G discuss many areas related to program design, as well as hot topics such as Zone 2 and the ‘grey zone’ intensity zone. If you want to learn from the best about programming and training ‘zones,’ this episode with Dr. G is required listening! If you're interesting in Dr. G's E-Coach software, you can learn more here: https://globsport.org/index_files/Page480.htm

Here's what was covered:

1. Please tell our listeners a little bit about yourself (your education history, work history, current roles)?

2. Coaches must take a lot of things into consideration when creating a training program. However, often coaches don’t take into consideration an athlete’s rate of adaptation. Could you discuss this a bit more?

3. A lot of the questions that we get at UESCA is about program design, could you discuss some of the most important factors in creating a good program?

4. What are some of the biggest mistakes that you see coaches make with respect to program design?

5. Of the different physiological tests that are commonly done, is there one that you deem the most valuable?

6. Most non-elite athletes are time-crunched. What are your thoughts on doing primarily Z1 and Z2 training, especially during the so-called ‘base training period’ for these type athletes?

7. There is a long-standing thought that ‘grey-zone’ training is sort of no man land where minimal physiological adaptions occur. Is there any truth to this?

Episode 29: Insights into the Growth and Future of Ultrarunning with Guest David Callahan, CEO of Ultrasignup Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the ‘All Things Endurance’ Podcast, host Rick Prince chats with David Callahan, Co-CEO of Ultrasignup. As the leading event registration platform for ultrarunning events, David has a unique perspective on the state and growth of ultrarunning. Some of the topics that Rick and David discuss are:

1. Could you tell our listeners a little more about your background, both professionally and athletically?

2. The popularity of ultrarunning is through the roof, what are some of the key factors that you believe are driving this popularity?

3. Within the sport of ultrarunning and based on Ultrasignup’s data, are there specific distances that are seeing above average growth?

4. Where do you see the sport of ultrarunning over the next 5-10 years?

5. Athletes within sports like gravel racing and climbing often resent the result of their sports becoming more popular and mainstream – do you think this is, or will be the case with ultrarunning?

6. In the same vein as the prior question, popularity often comes with large organizations looking to purchase events. Is there a concern amongst the ultra community that the acquired events will lose their identity?

7. For someone that is looking to get into ultrarunning, do you have any advice in regard to what type of ultra to choose as their first ultra event?

8. We often hear from our ultra coaches that running ultra’s are addictive. While it’s also true of road running, it seems to be more the case with ultra’s – why do you think this is?

Where do you see ultrasignup in the coming years?

Episode 28: The Landscape of Endurance Sports Training with Guest Jeff Pierce, CEO of CTS Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

Jeff Pierce is a former professional cyclist and the current CEO of Carmichael Training Systems (CTS). In Jeff’s distinguished cycling career, he rode for team 7-11, the first American to ride the Tour De France and in 1987, Jeff became just the third American to win a stage of the Tour De France on the final stage on the Champs-Elysees.
In his current role as CEO of CTS, Jeff is responsible for the overall operations and direction of CTS. In this episode, host Rick Prince chats with Jeff about the coaching landscape and how it has evolved over the years – as well as where it is heading.

Questions covered in this episode include:

1. Please tell our listeners about your sport background as well as your career post being a pro cyclist

2. What was the coaching landscape like while you were racing professionally?

3. How has training technology changed the coaching profession over the years?

4. What are some of the main reasons that athletes hire coaches at CTS?

5. What do you think the increase in demand of qualified coaches is due to?

6. Are there any significant trends that you see in the coaching landscape at CTS?

7. To be a successful coach, what are some of key qualities that athletes are looking for, as well as you as the head of CTS?

8. What are some current challenges that the coaching profession faces?

9. Where to you see the coaching profession in 5-10 years with respect to its evolution?

Lastly, as CTS is largely one of the first to legitimize the profession of endurance sports coaching, what do you attribute its longevity to?

Episode 27: The Evolution of Triathlon Training with Guest Matt Hanson Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Rick Prince chat with professional triathlete and coach, Matt Hanson. Matt is a six-time Ironman champion, and also a six-time Half Ironman champion. In 2024, Matt finished 5th overall in the Ironman Pro Series.

As both an accomplished triathlete and triathlon coach… as well as a former professor of exercise physiology, there is perhaps no one better to discuss the evolution of triathlon training than Matt.

In this podcast, Rick and Matt discuss many topics including how training has evolved over the years, how technology has played a role in this evolution and some common mistakes that triathletes make in their training.

Questions covered in this podcast include:

1. Could you tell us about your background, both academically and as a professional triathlete?

2. Could you give an overview of how triathlon training has evolved over the years?

3. Of the three sport disciplines, is there one that has evolved the most with respect to being triathlon-focused vs. training as a stand-alone sport discipline?

4. You are also a coach, have you found that any athletes push back against a modern triathlon-focused program versus a more old-school triathlon program?

5. What are some of the biggest changes in the sport with respect to training and racing from the days of Dave Scott to today?

6. How has technology played a role in the modernization of triathlon training?

7. There is a saying in bike racing “Train your weakness, race your strength.” Does this also hold true for triathlon? Meaning, do you overly focus on your weakest sport discipline, or do you focus on your strength?

8. What are some of the biggest training mistakes that you see triathletes make with respect to their training?

9. If you could give one piece of advice to our listeners with respect to triathlon training, what would it be?

Episode 26: Risk Taking in Mountaineering and Business with Guest Steve House Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Steve House is a former professional alpinist and mountaineer guide. Steve is currently the founder and CEO of Uphill Athlete.
As a professional climber, Steve climbed some of the most difficult mountains around the world and in 2006, Steve was awarded the Piolet d’Or (the Golden Ice Axe) award, which is the highest honor in the world of professional mountaineering.
With mountaineering being an inherently risky sport, host Rick Prince discusses the element of risk with Steve as it pertains to mountaineering and business. Unsurprisingly, there are quite a few takeaways with respect to mountaineering to business.
Questions covered in this podcast include:

1. Please tell us about your background as an alpinist and how you decided to start Uphill Athlete.

2. In most all sports, there is an element of risk. However, I can’t think of any sport with more at stake than high alpine mountaineering. How has being an alpinist shaped your perception of risk?

3. According to various sources, approximately 90% of start-up’s fail within the first 5 years, with 10% failing within the first year. Of the climbs that have been attempted, are there any that have this high (90%) of a failure rate?

4. What are some key lessons that you learned about risk that you’ve taken from climbing that you have applied to your business?

5. Regarding risk, what are some common mistakes that you see athletes and business owners make?

6. How do you assess risk? Specifically, deciding if a risk is worth the effort?

7. Appreciating the risk of a situation and going for it any way involves getting over one’s fear. As it relates to climbing, how did you get over the fear of certain situations that had a high risk factor?

If you could leave our listeners with one or two nuggets of advice with respect to assessing and managing risk in their athletic and business endeavors, what would they be?

Episode 25: Starting and Successfully Growing an Online Coaching Business with Guest Alli Felsenthal Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of ‘All Things Endurance,’ host Rick Prince chat with Alli Felsenthal, owner of Runwithalli – a run coaching business. If you’re an aspiring coach, or an existing coach, you will be hard pressed not to come away from this podcast with valuable pieces of advice. Alli goes deep into how she started and scaled her running coach business, discussing a wide range of topics such as athlete retention, bringing on other coaches, the importance of goal setting and structure, among many other topics. So if you’re in the coaching business, this is one podcast you won’t want to miss!

1. Please tell us a little about yourself – when did you get into running and coaching?

2. How did you decide to take the leap to starting your own business? Did you do it as a side gig at first, or did you go full time immediately?

3. You have a pretty substantial background in business and sales. How did you leverage this knowledge when starting up your coaching business?

4. What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced when starting up your coaching business, and also when scaling it to a full-time business?

5. Getting paying athletes is always a challenge for new coaches. What advice or strategies do you have for new coaches, and for those looking to continue scaling their coaching practice?

6. What were some of your biggest mistakes when building your coaching practice?

7. Pricing is another issue that a lot of coaches get stuck on. How did you determine your pricing?

8. Where do you see Runwithalli in the next 5 years?

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