Grit coaching is 7 YEARS OLD this year, and we’ve learned a ton since Day 1. Sometimes coaches get a bit shy about admitting that they’ve changed their mind on something - there is a feeling that we must be all-knowing, and many coaches feel insecure saying “we’re looking at something differently now”. Not us! On this week's episode, Coach Jess sha…

This week we are joined by Eoin Everard, the current World and European Masters (Over 35) 3000m champion who also has a blazing sub-14 min 5km and sub-4 min mile under his belt. In addition to being an astonishing runner, but Eoin holds a PhD in Biomechanics and is a Physiotherapist and the founder of the BackAware Belt, a tool to help with back pa…

You’ve done the training, and now all that’s left is executing your race. But…..how? In this episode, we give you the nitty gritty on different pacing strategies: what works, what doesn’t, and why. We tackle this both through physiology and personal experience: everyone’s got a good pace-related story! Proper pacing is absolutely essential for grea…

This week we are thrilled to catch up with OCR superstar Nicole Mericle! Nicole is fresh off her 2nd place finish at Tough Mudder Arabia which was arguably one of the most competitive OCR races in history with a prize purse that did not disappoint! We also discuss Nicole's road to recovery after knee surgery, how the short course specialist changed…

You asked, we answered. Really nailing your endurance training can be complicated - everyone knows "how" to run, but not everyone knows how to optimize their endurance training to suit their goals and ability. This re-released podcast gave listeners the chance to ask their burning endurance questions and gave us a chance to provide insight on a bun…

We love putting together podcasts on sports performance topics we think are important but the reality is: YOU know what you know and don't know best! (whoo, that's a mouthful!) As my school teachers always told me, if you have a question, chances are that others in the room are wondering the same thing. On this re-released episode, we answer some o…

Winter training - it ain't so bad! Faye and Jess, seasoned Canadian runners with souvenir frostbite scars, share their best tips on how to thrive during the winter training season. We've made all the wardrobe mistakes and created all the weather hacks so you don't have to! This re-released episode is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY,…

Endurance racing affectinatos are faced with racing options of different lengths and types galore! In this re-released episode, we advise on how to select races and plan a season that allows for proper preparation for key goals, but still leaves wiggle room for exploration. This episode is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye S…

Goals give direction and purpose to your efforts, but it's important that you don't confuse goals with dreams. Dreams are ideas, and goals are roadmaps. I think you can guess which one has a greater likelihood of success! In this re-released episode, we discuss why goal setting is important and how to do it in an effective and meaningful way. This …

Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (RED-S), or chronic underfuelling, can have very serious health and performance consequences. We are joined by Dr. Alex Coates, former elite ITU triathlete and current professor of Exercise Physiology who's research has focused on what happens when we push too far or when we recover insufficiently from training. …

Two new running/fitness "hybrid" competitions are sweeping the nation and attracting runners, Crossfitters, and OCR Addicts alike. Hybrid competitions involve run intervals alternated with standardized strength exercises and challenging an athlete's strength and endurance. This week, Faye Stenning shares the Nitty Gritty on the two most popular hyb…

Runners: Does the weight room feel like the wild west? We get it, but strength training has serious benefits and doesn't need to be initmidating. As a runner, you're doing a serious disservice to your training regime if you're ignoring strength! This episode, we break down why strength training is important for runners, how much you need, and what …

Runners fall into two camps - they're either as bendy as a slinky, or they can't touch their toes. This podcast dives into the differences between mobility and flexibility, how much range you REALLY need, and the when/where/what on stretching. This re-released episode is sure to bend your knowledge on movement and performance (ha!) This episode is …

Tis the season for peak races and the inevitable recovery that follows. Everyone's heard of the big (and oddly intimidating) "Off Season", but what IS it? This week, we dive into why the Off Season is important and how a bit of rest and recovery can take your training to the next level over the coming months. Rest to progress? We say YES! This epis…

Just like it's common to hire a coach to help you reach an sporting goal and live an active lifestyle, nutrtition coaches exist to help educate and guide individuals towards health goals. It makes sense - changing habits is hard, especially if you aren't highly educated in nutrition, so expert guidance can be SO helpful! This week, we are joined by…

This week we deep dive into an athlete’s most essential piece of gear- footwear! There are A LOT of shoe options out there and we nerd out and break them down for you. Learn all about different types of footwear , what to look for when buying shoes, the best footwear for OCR races, and the newest super shoes hitting the market! This re-released epi…

Hyrox is a fitness competition that's been popular in Europe for a while and is now taking North America by storm. Hyrox involves eight standardized fitness stations alternated with 1000m of running. The 8km of total running in the event makes it appealing to OCR athletes and runners alike! (though the strength stations are no joke!) A few years ag…

If you're a female athlete, or you know a female athlete, this episode is for you! We chat about range of topics pertinent to active women including: fueling, RED-S, birth control, pregnancy, training and aging, and how to keep young girls engaged in sport. Though many of these topics aren't exclusive to women, we talk about them through a female p…

The allure of the marathon has captured countless runners, but what does it really take to prepare? On this episode, we break down the essentials of marathon training and detail the most essential pieces of training. We completely understand that not everyone has endless time to train at their disposal, and we deep dive in to how to maximize traini…

In races longer than an hour or two, nailing fueling is absolutely critical for success. You can't run on an empty tank, after all! Fueling can make or break a performance, but it can be daunting for novice and experienced athletes alike. This week we are joined by Arielle Fitzgerald - OCR Dream Team athlete, Ultrarunner, and holistic nutritionist.…

Very few people have had as many podium finishes at OCR events as Faye Stenning. This episode, she shares many of her BEST hacks on how to perform your best at an OCR race. Whether you're training for your first race or your 100th, you're sure to pick up a game-changing tip or two curtesy of Faye's immense experience. This podcast is a rerelease or…

It's a hill, get over it! Hill running is mechanically and metabolically different than flat running and requires a combination of fitness and skill to thrive. Luckily, uphill and downhill running ability is trainable. We drop tips on how to properly train for and run up and downhill, even if you don't necessarily have incline readily available. It…

We're on the cusp of summer and hot weather is BACK! Every spring, athletes worldwide find themselves questioning their fitness and wondering why it's suddenly so challenging to hit training paces. The answer: t's hot outside, and heat must be respected! In this episode, we detail how to adjust training to the heat, how heat adaptation works, and h…

Dr. Emmi Aguillard, PT, DPT, FAFS is a NYC-based physical therapist who specializes in treating and training runners. She also has advanced training in pelvic health and works with women to safely maintain their optimal fitness and performance both during pregnancy and as they return to running after giving birth. Emmi has even co-authored a book o…

Move over, fancy recovery hacks! Consistent, good-quality sleep is the #1 way to recover from training and improve athletic performance. Unfortunately, athletes are more prone to sleep disorders than the general population. This re-released episode dives into why sleep is important, how to improve your sleep, and how sleep affects training and raci…

Sports nutrition is one of the most important, yet most confusing, parts of training. Between fad diets, charismatic influencers, and the inherent emotion surrounding eating, it can be hard to find good, solid infomation. This episode, we provide science-backed, evidence based advice on fueling pre- and post-workout, around races, during long runs,…

In fitness, the term “coaching” can feel a bit convoluted - from online, to personal, to group, to sports teams, there is a lot going on. Over the last year, our Grit Coaching endurance coach, Jess, has begun coaching a university team. This week, she’ll share what she’s learned and brought to Grit ONLINE coaching and what to think about when consi…

Heart Rate Variability has gained a lot of attention over the past few years thanks to fun monitoring toys like Whoop and Aura ring. This episode, we dive into what HRV is, and, more importantly, how to best use it as a training readiness tool. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Je…

Heart rate zone training is all the rage - it's simple, clear, and accessible on your watch! That said - before you dictate ALL your training by zones, you better be sure you understand them. Tune in to learn how they work and what you should look out for! The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian…

Many people raced for the first time this season last weekend - the 2023 OCR season has begun! We spend the first part of the episode helping you debrief what went well and what definitely needs to be sorted before you toe the line again. Then, we chat in detail about the rest of the USNS venues and what key things you can place in your training in…

Kris is a 26 yr old resident of Colorado who loves to run far, preferably in the mountains. Having seen success in anything from 3-mile obstacle course races to 100-mile mountain trail ultras (only a few weeks apart(!), she’s always down for an adventure and a chance to push her limits. She lives by the principle of asking not what you can do for y…

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. We are joined by the legend himself - Matt B Davis! The voice behind and face of Obstacle Racing Media shares a bit about how he got into obstacle racing and shares lots of his hot takes on the history and future of the sport. Faye…

This week we give you the nitty gritty on EIGHT of the hottest fitness fads, including CrossFit, pilates, HITT training, hybrid racing, and more. We break down what each fad is, what we love about each one, and what you should be cautious of. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess…

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Resolutions are just a fancy word for "goals", and athletes are no strangers to goals! However, resolutions are notorious for being quickly forgotten. This week, we share some effective tips on how to make your new year's goals att…

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. We're celebrating TWO years of the Nitty Gritty Training Podcast with a walk down memory lane! In this episode, we share some of our hottest takes and the most helpful or interesting facts we've learned over the past 70+ episodes. …

Hold my protein shake...An interview with the ageless Shari Boyle The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Shari is a lifelong athlete with a range of accomplishments including racing at the 2005 World Cross Country Championships, being a member of the 4x800m Master's Wor…

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Nothing beats the convenience and customizability of a home gym. That said, it can be hard to know where to start! What equipment is essential, and what just takes up space? How can you create a home gym on a budget? We break down …

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Does your training or racing feel stale? Not sure how to get your mojo back? We take you through ten important (and often overlooked) things to consider when trying to break through a plateau and continue to get stronger, faster, a…

The Prehab Guys are a group of physios who deliver some of the best injury prevention content - their 900k +++ Instagram subscribers know what's up! Today we are joined by Prehab Guy Craig who takes us through his best tips on injury prevention and performance improvement for runners and active individuals. He also shares his rehab philosophy and t…

Tyler was recently crowned the OCRWC 15 km champion, running away from an accomplished field. Any world championship win is noteworthy, but what makes this even more impressive is that Tyler was preparing to race at the Spartan 24-hour Ultra World Championships, and pivoted his sights to the 15km (an event that is much much shorter) only a week bef…

Jess and Faye answer questions about training and racing submitted by YOU, our listeners! We talk about everything from heart rate to Abu Dhabi - this episode has something for everyone! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here.

Lauren has been making waves in everything over the past few years - she is a two-time Hyrox World Champion, Spartan Games Champion and most recently broke the Dekafit World Record only 8 weeks after having a baby! In this episode, we talk all about hybrid racing, training to be successful at multiple types of events, and of course life as a new mo…

Big White ski resort in Kelowna, Canada is the site of the 2022 Spartan North American championships. We did some sleuthing and lay down some tips on how to nail the course and how to maximize your post-race fun! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here.

Bridget Pyke is a physiotherapist, runner, and running coach. She shares tons of knowledge on how to avoid injury and recover well through all stages of your running career. By wearing multiple hats, Bridget has a holistic view of training, recovery, and injury rehab - you're sure to learn something! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and al…

We are joined by Emma Cook-Clark, 2021 North American Champion. She was also 4th-place finisher at Spartan Worlds in her first year in the sport. Emma is a talented OCR racer but perhaps even more of a natural mountain runner and all-around adventurer. Emma speaks candidly about being a newcomer to Spartan racing and shares many great stories about…

Join us for a great chat with Hawk Call, a young athlete who's taking the OCR scene by storm. Hawk chats candidly about his training, his goals in OCR, and how his father, Spartan legend Hobie, has helped shape his sporting aspirations. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here.…

There are SO many different types of endurance races out there - road, trail, mountain and sky running, Spartans and Hyrox, Mountain bike, and even Skimo! Many of these endurance events attract similar crowds and can make training schedules a fun type of chaotic. What meshes and what clashes? Find out on today's episode! Faye Jess Coaching Website …

OCR Champion Faye Stenning and Olympian Jess O’Connell, have brought their coaching platform to the Obstacle Racing Media family of podcasts. Nicole was one of the best OCR athletes in the world when she abruptly tore her ACL in a race last year. Over the last 12 months, she's committed herself to tedious rehab exercises and a painfully slow comeba…

OCR Champion Faye Stenning and Olympian Jess O’Connell, have brought their coaching platform to the Obstacle Racing Media family of podcasts. This week, we break down a few common fitness myths that we see in the media or come up with our coaching clients. We chat about everything from nutrition to training paces to tech and know that clearing up a…

This week we are joined by Hunter McIntyre who’s fresh off winning the Hyrox World Championship! This man has an unmatched combination of speed and strength and in this episode, we dive deep into his training. We also discuss what it takes to be a world champion, what motivates him, and hear about some of his business ventures! OCR Champion Faye St…