142: Debunking Clean Sport, Supplements + Racing Weight

In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition, I talk with clean sport advocate, running coach and podcaster Chris McClung. We explore Chris’ introduction to running and coaching, how he adjusts training to individual athletes including women during and after pregnancy and menopause, and the power of the team. Chris and I discuss and debunk the concept of racing weight, normalizing weight fluctuations within seasons and throughout life: hormones, aging, development, environmental conditions, hydration status and many more factors all influence the number on the scale. Chris states his own personal experience of running PRs at very different weights, reminding us that there is no one look to your fastest self. Rather, by focusing on nourishing your body with enough energy and respecting recovery, alongside smart training, the race outcome will take care of itself.

We dive deep into the topic of clean sport and Chris’ work with the Clean Sport Collective. Chris reveals the pervasiveness of doping in all sports and at all levels, elite and amateur, why athletes dope, and how subtle and nuanced taking banned substances can be. Chris explains why, no matter your level of participation, we all should care about what we put into our bodies and how we can ensure that any supplements we consume are clean. Look for logos and certifications like NSF, Informed Choice, BSCG and USP to know supplements, vitamins and minerals are safe from contamination and actually contain what you think they do!

In this episode, we referenced this prior episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition podcast  with physiotherapist Brodie Sharpe: Brodie Sharpe - Running is the Most Dangerous Sport!

For more on clean sport and to hear the perspective of elite athletes, check out the Clean Sport Collective podcast.

Hear more training talk from Chris on his coaching podcast Rogue Running and at www.roguerunning.com  

Follow Chris on Instagram and Twitter @roguechris @roguerunning and the Clean Sport Collective on Instagram and Twitter @cleansportco and me, your host Lindsey Cortes, @female.athlete.nutrition 

Have you heard?! The Female Athlete Nutrition podcast patreon is now LIVE and we are excited to offer our community unique perks. Join today and receive bonus episodes, merch, monthly recipes, access to an exclusive community message board, and have the chance to ask Lindsey your questions and get a podcast shoutout, and more! Head to patreon today patreon.com/femaleathletenutrition 

Need help with your fueling? Want to get in touch with Lindsey? Interested in the Female Athlete System of Transformation? 

Head to www.RiseUpNutritionRUN.com to learn more & book a call!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Previnex: https://www.previnex.com/ use code RISEUP for 15% off at checkout

InsideTracker: www.insidetracker.com/riseup for 20% off the entire store for a limited time only!

THIS PODCAST IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY:

Orgain, head to www.orgain.com and use the code RISEUP30 for 30% off your first order. Repeat customers can use the code OA2203 for 25% off future orders.

Practice Better Click the link below to view plans and get a 14-day free trial. Then use the code RISEUP20 for 20% off your first 4 months: https://practicebetter.grsm.io/runp 

Jen & Keri: https://jenandkeri.com/ use code RISEUP10 for $10 off your order

In this episode we talk about:

3:00 Chris’ background in running and coaching 

10:00 Chris’ run training philosophy, coaching women throughout life changes 

18:00 Race weight myths

25:30 The Clean Sport Collective

33:55 Doping in elite sports 

36:50 Drug testing and catching cheating athletes 

46:30 Doping at the amateur/ non-elite level; why clean sport matters at all levels

52:30 Legal supplements vs banned drugs, safety and contamination; finding clean supplements

1:01:20 End of the podcast questions