The Run Smarter Podcast

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In this episode, I’m joined by elite running coach and host of the Strength Running Podcast, Jason Fitzgerald, to unpack one of the most confusing parts of training: how to structure your taper and recovery weeks. Whether you're preparing for a half marathon, marathon, or ultra, it’s not enough to just "cut back"—the wrong taper can leave you feeling fla...

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In today’s episode, we explore three brand new running research studies that shed light on how to run faster across different terrains, optimize your fueling strategy, and understand how hormones influence tendon health. Whether you're training for a marathon, chasing a trail PB, or navigating changes in your body as you age, this episode delivers powerful and practical scie...

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Topics Covered

Managing Multiple Injuries (e.g., Plantar Fasciitis & PHT)

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In this listener Q&A episode, Brodie dives into four fascinating research-backed topics that every runner should understand — from aging performance to tendon rehab science:

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Marathon PB Tactics & Strategy with Brian Hanley

Most runners spend months focusing on training plans, mileage, and workouts… but when race day comes, they often just “wing it” when it comes to pacing. In this episode, we dive deep into the science and psychology of marathon and half marathon race strategy with Dr. Brian Hanley, senior lecturer in sport and e...

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In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie dives into the latest running research released over the past month. As always, the goal is to cut through the myths and confusion to bring you evidence-based strategies to improve your performance, prevent injury, and run smarter.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🏃‍♂️📚

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On this Q&A episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie tackles a range of listener-submitted running questions—covering everything from calf pain management to the best time to reintroduce speed work during tendon rehab. Drawing from both research and clinical experience, he provides practical, evidence-based strategies you can apply directly to your training.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode<...

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In this episode, Brodie Sharpe sits down with Sara to share her inspiring journey of overcoming Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy (PHT) after struggling with it for several years. Sara's story is filled with ups and downs, from navigating misdiagnoses and passive treatments to discovering the power of strength training and the mind-body connection. Whether you’re currently battling PHT or looking for gu...

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O₂ max is often thrown around as the holy grail of endurance performance—but how much does it really matter, and how can you train it effectively? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Will O’Connor, exercise physiologist, endurance coach, and experienced researcher, to break down the science, myths, and practical strategies behind VO₂ max.

We cover what VO₂ max...

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In this episode, Brodie chats with Dr. Phil Hayes — senior lecturer at Northumbria University, sports scientist, and highly experienced running coach — about his role as co-editor of The Science and Practice of Middle and Long-Distance Running. Phil’s academic expertise in exercise physiology and decades of coaching experience give him a unique perspective on bridging cutting-edge research with practical trai...

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In this month’s research breakdown, Brodie dives into four fascinating studies every runner should know about. From bone health and marathon pacing to hamstring flexibility and recovery tools, these findings reveal how science can help you train smarter and avoid common pitfalls.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

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In this powerful conversation, Brodie Sharpe sits down with physical therapist, running coach, and lifelong runner Steph Mundt to explore her remarkable journey from repeated bone stress injuries and dangerously low bone density to becoming a stronger, healthier, and faster runner.

Steph opens up about her history with disordered eating, how Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) imp...

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🧠 Episode Summary

In this episode, Brodie dives into a newly published paper titled “Female Tendons are from Venus and Male Tendons are from Mars: But Does it Matter for Tendon Health?” by Gerard McMahon and Jill Cook. The paper explores how male and female tendons differ in structure, adaptation, healing, and injury risk—and what it means for those dealing wi...

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To celebrate 400 episodes of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie brings on his sister Zoe for a heartfelt and relatable conversation about one of the most transformative shifts in her running journey: learning to truly slow down.

After years of red-lining every session, feeling fatigued, and struggling with motivation, Zoe had a revelation that changed everything. In this epi...

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Struggling with running during illness, lingering muscle pain, or training for a faster marathon? In this special Ask Me Anything episode, Brodie dives into listener-submitted questions to cover a range of critical topics—from when to return to training after a cold, to how long injuries actually take to heal, to strategies for a faster marathon.

🎧 What You'll Learn:
...

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In this episode, Brodie explores the latest research on vitamin D and its role in tendon health, diving into a 2024 comprehensive review that examines both cell-based and animal studies. You’ll learn how vitamin D influences tendon healing, inflammation, and collagen production—and how low levels could delay your recovery. Plus, Brodie shares practical advice on vitamin D testing, optim...

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In this mind-expanding episode, I’m joined by sports scientist and biomechanics researcher Gustavo Leporace, who unpacks the findings from his newly published paper:

“The Search for the Holy Grail of Running Biomechanics – Is There an Ideal Movement Profile for Minimizing Mechanical Overload?”

https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/PZ8SVIXH7GSZI7YPTJVQ/full
We discuss:

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Is it safe to exercise while fasting? What if you're a recreational runner? A woman? Or trying to lose weight?

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Kira Sutherland, a naturopath and sports nutritionist with over 25 years of clinical experience and a deep passion for endurance sports. Together, we unravel the science (and myths) behind fasting and...

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In this episode, Brodie dives into three new studies aimed at helping runners prevent injury and understand how tech and biomechanics affect performance. Whether you're a recreational runner or an aspiring marathoner, these findings offer practical, science-backed takeaways.

Featured Studies & Key Insights

Asymmetry & Bone Stress Injuries

Study Title: Can biomechanical variables and asymmetry predict bone stress injuries in collegiate distance runners?

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In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie sits down with world-renowned sports dietitian and researcher Professor Louise Burke to clear the air on one of the most debated topics in endurance sport: low-carb vs high-carb diets.

After receiving listener pushback from a previous episode on low-carb nutrition, Brodie brings in Louise — who has decades of elite-level experience and research — to explore:

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In this listener Q&A episode, Brodie tackles a wide range of questions from the Run Smarter community. From race-day fueling strategies and minimalist footwear to the nuances of tendon vs muscle rehab, this episode delivers practical, evidence-based advice to help you train smarter and reduce your injury risk.

❓ Questions Answered in This Episode:

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In this listener Q&A episode, Brodie answers your submitted questions on a range of running topics—from biomechanics and nutrition to recovery strategies and age-related changes in performance. Packed with science-backed insights and practical takeaways, this is part one of a two-part Q&A series.

🔍 What’s Covered in This Episode:

🥤 Is Beetroot a Performance Enhancer?

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Episode 391 – Running is Rehab: When Doing is the Fixing with Greg Lehman

Is complete rest the answer to running injuries? Or is movement—specifically running—itself the medicine?

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Greg Lehman, renowned physiotherapist, biomechanist, and educator, to challenge long-standing rehab dogmas. We dive into why running itself should often be the primary rehab tool and how to safely navigate pain, fear, and flare-ups on your return to running.

Whether you're dealing with a stubborn tendon, recovering from a muscle...

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🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Join Brodie as he breaks down the latest running research from May 2025, giving you science-backed insights to run smarter, reduce injury risk, and boost performance. In this episode, you’ll explore:

📌 Featured Research Summaries:

1. Biomechanical Strategies to Improve Running

2...

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In this episode, Brodie Sharpe sits down with Sara to share her inspiring journey of overcoming Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy (PHT) after struggling with it for several years. Sara's story is filled with ups and downs, from navigating misdiagnoses and passive treatments to discovering the power of strength training and the mind-body connection. Whether you’re currently battling PHT or looking for guidance on chronic pain, this episode offers valuable insights and hope.

Episode Highlights:

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Guest: Dr. Ian Seels | Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

🧠 Episode Summary

In this thought-provoking episode, Brodie chats with Dr. Ian Seels, a private musculoskeletal physiotherapist with over 35 years of experience and a co-author of the paper The Relevance of Diet in Musculoskeletal Clinical Practice – A Narrative Review. Together, they explore the emerging science behind how diet influences inflammation, pain, and injury recovery—with a particular focus on what this means for recreational runners.

If you're battling persistent niggles, chronic tendon pain, or just want to run p...

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🎙️ The Safest Way for Runners to Lose Weight (w/ Dr. Nick Fuller)
Run Smarter Podcast

Are you running to lose weight but finding the kilos just won’t budge—or worse, keep creeping back on? In this mind-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Nick Fuller, obesity researcher, former elite hurdler, and creator of the Interval Weight Loss (IWL) program, to expose why most diets fail and how runners can finally lose weight sustainably—without wrecking their metabolism.

🏃‍♂️ What We Cover:

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📌 Episode Summary:

Welcome back, Run Smarter Scholars! In this special research roundup episode, Brodie dives into three fascinating new studies released in April that could change the way you train, recover, and stay injury-free. Recording from a beachside getaway, Brodie filters through over a dozen newly published papers and handpicks the most actionable and interesting ones for runners like you.

📚 Papers Covered:

1. Shin Splints: A Closer Look

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: A Scoping Review

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Today, we're joined by internationally renowned physiotherapist, researcher, and hip guru, Dr. Alison Grimaldi, to tackle one of the most misunderstood running-related injuries: gluteal tendinopathy.

Alison joins Brodie to dismantle outdated myths, clarify diagnoses, and break down exactly what runners should (and shouldn't) do if dealing with this lateral hip condition.

🧠 What You'll Learn:

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Optimal Nutrition for Tendon Recovery with Jordi Sullivan 

📍 Episode Summary:
In this episode, Brodie is joined by sports dietitian Jordi Sullivan, founder of The Fight Dietitian, to unpack one of the most overlooked aspects of injury rehab: nutrition. While the conversation begins with general performance nutrition, the focus soon shifts to actionable strategies for tendon recovery.

Jordi shares his evidence-based, no-nonsense advice on calories, macronutrients, micronutrients, and supplements, while offering simple frameworks to help injured athletes support healing and stay on track with their...

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Belinda Beck is a Professor in the school of allied health services at Griffith University. She has been involved in bone health research for 20 years and published over 100 research papers.

Today, we discuss stress fractures and bone health. We start with the adolescent population and why diet, bone loading & peak bone mass is so important in this population. Secondly, Belinda dives into symptoms, risks, causes and treatment of stress fractures. Lastly, we talk about the masters runner and aging populations. What is the best approach for the treatm...

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🧠 Episode Summary:

In this jam-packed episode, Brodie dives into the latest running research added to the Run Smarter database for March 2025. From tendon rehab protocols to marathon fueling strategies and smartwatch accuracy, you'll walk away with practical takeaways and cutting-edge insights to train and rehab smarter.

🔍 Featured Research Papers:

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In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie sits down with researcher and lecturer Dr. Michele Zanini to discuss his groundbreaking new study: "Strength Training Improves Running Economy Durability and Fatigued High Intensity Performance in Well-Trained Male Runners."

We dive into what durability actually means in a running context, why it matters, and how strength training—done the right way—can help you maintain performance under fatigue and finish your races stronger.

🔍 Topics Covered:

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In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie sits down with Moira, a dedicated endurance athlete and physical therapist, to discuss her long and challenging battle with chronic injury. What started as a suspected stress fracture turned into a frustrating cycle of pain, conflicting diagnoses, and psychological hurdles. Moira shares her journey of setbacks, self-reflection, and ultimately, breakthrough moments that led her back to running. Her story highlights the importance of understanding pain science, overcoming fear of movement, and following a structured, gradual return-to-running plan.

What You’ll...

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Understanding and Enhancing Running Economy with Mark Connick

Episode 379 | Run Smarter Podcast

🎙 Guest: Mark Connick – Postdoctoral Researcher in Sports Biomechanics and Physiology
📄 Topic: Individualization of Footwear for Optimizing Running Economy

Episode Overview:

In this episode, we dive deep into the science of running economy and how different footwear choices impact performance. Mark Connick shares insights from his recent paper and explains the direct and indirect effects of footwear on biomechanic...

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Compression Garments: Hype or Helpful?

✅ Achilles Tendon Pain: The Role of Anxiety & Fear

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How to Survive and Thrive in All Weather Conditions with Andrew and Michael

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, we sit down with Andrew and Michael, hosts of the Endurance Innovation Podcast, to explore how runners can optimize performance in various weather conditions. Whether you’re training in freezing temperatures, racing in extreme heat, or battling humidity, Andrew and Michael break down the science behind heat transfer, thermoregulation, and practical strategies to maintain performance. Expect a deep dive into the mechanics of cooling, hydratio...

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In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Keith Barr from the University of California, Davis, to uncover groundbreaking research on tendon health, rehabilitation, and performance. Dr. Barr shares his expertise on tendon tissue engineering, the role of mechanical loading in healing tendinopathies, and how to reverse chronic scar tissue formation. Whether you're a runner struggling with tendon pain or a coach looking to optimize performance, this episode is packed with game-changing insights.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

🔹 Wh...

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Protein and Tendon Healing with Dr. David Minkoff

In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, we are joined by Dr. David Minkoff, an expert in integrative medicine, author of The Search for the Perfect Protein, and an accomplished athlete with 43 Ironman finishes. We discuss the critical role of protein, specifically essential amino acids, in healing injuries like proximal hamstring tendinopathy, optimizing recovery, and improving overall performance. If you’ve struggled with chronic injuries, want to enhance muscle repair, or are curious about how protein intake affects...

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Episode Summary:
In today's episode, Brodie is joined by Christie Ashwanden, author of Good to Go: How to Eat, Sleep and Rest Like a Champion. Christie, a renowned science journalist and former lead writer at 538, shares practical advice on nutrition, hydration, and recovery for athletes. They discuss the myths and marketing tactics surrounding sports nutrition, the importance of body awareness, and how to simplify recovery by listening to your body’s natural signals.

Topics Covered: