Ep. 4: So You Wanna Go Pro? A ‘Stick in the Spokes’ and Changing Focus
July 20, 2016
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We’re back with Episode 4 of “So You Wanna Go Pro” featuring elite triathlete Matt Bach. This episode takes an unexpected and somewhat ironic turn of events. Listen to Ep. 3 here.
- Matt discusses recent developments in his health & plans to heal:
- Diagnosis: Stress reaction in femur, osteoporosis, and double genetic mutation in MTHFR with C677T variant
- What’s a stress reaction vs. fracture, why did this happen, risks, treatment (was on crutches for 6 wks), plan
- Bone health and association with low testosterone
- Leanness, calories, nutrient absorption and more
- Immediately ceased all focused training and racing
- It takes many months, or even years, to destroy T levels and bone density; will take months to restore it
- Matt’s T #s already improving along with better energy and libido
- Matt shares a non-scientific survey he did of 22 elite/pro triathletes and their hormonal health & more research:
- 13 diagnosed with hormone problems, 6 have symptoms but no official diagnosis, 3 reported no problems
- Will Matt still pursue going pro?!
- Getting more answers with further testing such as 23andMe soon
- Further research shows: >3 risk alleles = greater risk (30% vs 5% for 0 risk alleles)
- On MTHFR: Very common! Body less efficient at producing an enzyme that converts inactive folic acid into active form of folate (i.e. 5-MTHF)
- Why most of us want Methylated folate/5-MTHF vs. folic acid (and brands we trust for supplementing i.e. Thorne)
- Folate helps with cell reproduction
- Also the role of B12
- Recommended supplement to boost methylation
- Matt’s approach to healing via nutrition, supplements and lifestyle:
- All-natural approach, taking nothing that is banned. Plan to return to competition, don’t want side effects
- Picking the right team of doctors
- Not much endurance training (1x per week swim/bike)
- More sleep
- More social time and time with wife, Lauren!
- Physical Therapy
- Strength work
- On diet: Continue eating clean and healthy, Metabolic Efficiency Training, and figuring out if this is the right “diet” for Matt still?
- Tons of Supplements, some temporary
-
- Strontium, multivitamin, methylated folate and B12, magnesium
- Increased to 5000 IU D3, D-Aspartic Acid Powder, BCAAs, Pregnenolone
- Omega-3s
- Also a Probiotic, vitamin K2, Selenium, vitamin C, CoQ10 and Gaia HPA Axis
- Psychology and ongoing plans to go pro:
- Pro plans on hold, but not gone, patience to heal first is key!
- Not as restless as expected with changes
- Headspace and mental work to stay happy and motivated
- Off crutches, can’t run still, but Alter-G soon
- Sponsors awesome, continue to support; new ways to help them
- What others are saying to Matt
- The influence of other athlets struggling, and how Matt is finding solace in their stories on overcoming hardship
Resources
- Ep. 1: So you wanna go pro
- Ep. 2: So you wanna go pro
- Dr. Phil Maffetone on Folate vs. Folic Acid Pt 1
- Dr. Maffetone on Folate vs. Folic Acid Pt 2
- Dr. Maffetone on Folate vs. Folic Acid Pt 3
- Dr. Ben Lynch’s mthfr.net website for more on this common gene mutation
- Dr. Tamsin Lewis on MTHFR
- Cody Beals’ blog
- Matt Bach’s blog
One Comment
The best podcast ever, thanks. What is the best way to eat flax seed? I don't care for fish and walnuts have a lot of calories, but would like to up the Omega-3.