You asked & we listened. This weeks episode with @dewaal.simon is a hot topic. We unpack some of need to knows around super shoes. We talk about advanced footwear technology (AFT), what we learn from road runners, what research on super shoes tells us & more 💥

What you’ll gain from this episode:

🌟 Insights into the research on super shoes for both trail & road

💡 Tips on what to consider when getting a pair of super shoes

🏞️ Inspiration to follow the research on super shoes in the trail running space

🎥 Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Welcome to 2025: Season 2 continues

03:07 Vapor flies: Personal dabbling in the super shoe scene

06:50 - Shoes vs Barefoot: Why should we care about our footwear

10:27 - Design & definition: Advanced footwear technology (AFT)

14:35 - Super shoe benefits: Are they real or perceived?

19:15 - The carbon plate: Potential energy & carbon improvements

22:21 - Early research: The 4% benefit & Nikes research

30:12 - The influence of speed: How much of a role does speed play

35:20 - Running environment : Is there a place for super shoes on trail

40:30 - The Salomon study: Current research for the trail space

55:05 - Windlass Mechanism: Foot mechanics in an uphill condition

59:18 - Future research: Making it more trail specific

This week I’m stoked to welcome an expert to the podcast. She is all knowing when it comes to physiology & sports nutrition 🍎🍰🥤

The founder of @fuel_form, Louise joins us this week to talk about piecing together the fuelling puzzle. Where to start, what to avoid & the origin story behind some classic nutrition myths 💭

What you’ll gain from this episode:

🌟 Insights into fuelling for Ultra running & how to get started .

💡 Tips on the types of things to eat & when to fuel when training and racing

🏞️ Inspiration to put the fuelling puzzle piece together to suit your goal

🎥 Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Welcome to 2025: Season 2 continues

02:10 The sports journey: Finding research & a passion for rugby

05:25 - PhD & international partners: Supplementing with ketones for physical & mental recovery

11:15 - The Cape Epic: Research in the field

14:15 - Fuel Form: Starting a business & real food focus

17:09 - Common struggles: GI distress, liquid nutrition & planning

22:10 - Electrolytes: When and how should athletes use them?

27:58 - Carbs are back : What is possible vs what is necessary?

34:25 - High fat low carb : What works for ultra runners

38:02 - Fuelling for sessions: Timing & fasted training

45:02 - Gut training: How to get start & what progress looks like 51:26 - In race fuel: Putting together your fuelling plan

This week I’m stoked to welcome Skye Clark to the podcast. He’s the perfect guy to chat to about consistency & finding sustainable training rhythms.

His hard work over the last few years is paying off & he’s quickly becoming a household name for the SA trail scene. In this episode we talk about Skyes history with the sport, how he’s chipped away at his race performances, what consistency in training will do for you & more. From strava banter with Petrus de Klerk, to training runs with Flat Rock Endurance - community & support is definitely a common theme that comes through. I hope you enjoy the episode

What you’ll gain from this episode:

🔥 Motivation to conquer your own goals & stick to the plan

🌟 Insights into staying consistent & finding sustainable rhythms

💡 Tips on balancing high-performance sports with family life

🎥 Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Welcome to 2025: Season 2 continues

01:45 - Growing up : The Comrades inspiration

04:46 - Finding Ultras: The roadmap to long distance

08:34 - The 100km stoke: Finding races that inspire him

10:00 - UTMB: The lotto & an unexpected adventure

15:10 - Strava wars: Petrus de Klerk & the segment banter

20:22 - Consistency always wins: Showing up & working on weaknesses

29:30 - The race mindset : Focus & considerations

35:25 - 100km rollercoster : UTCT & working through the challenges

40:02 - 2025 game plan: What’s next on the horizon

45:47 - The juggling act: Adaptability & support

49:45 - External perspective: Working with a coach & learning where to land

🔗 Links & Resources:

Skye Clark: Instagram