Jason Widup, a marketing advisor and mountaineer, shares his journey into mountaineering and the lessons he learned along the way. He initially turned to hiking and mountaineering as a way to cope with stress and anxiety. After a failed attempt at Mount Rainier, he realized the impact of marijuana on his fitness and made the decision to quit. He incorporated meditation, breathing exercises, and reading books on breathing techniques into his daily routine to manage anxiety. With improved fitness and mental resilience, he successfully summited Mount Rainier on his second attempt. Jason Widup shares his experiences with mountaineering and how it has impacted his personal and professional life. He discusses the mental challenges he faced during training and dealing with injuries, as well as the importance of self-improvement and pushing boundaries. Jason also talks about sharing his journey with others and inspiring them to pursue their own goals. He emphasizes the need to be self-sufficient in the mountains and the desire to continue exploring and learning.

Takeaways

• Hiking and mountaineering can be effective ways to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Quitting marijuana can have a positive impact on fitness and overall well-being.
• Incorporating meditation and breathing exercises into daily routines can help manage anxiety.
• Reading books on breathing techniques can provide valuable insights and improve mental resilience.
• Improving fitness and mental resilience can lead to successful mountaineering expeditions. Mountaineering can have a profound impact on personal and professional growth
• Dealing with mental challenges and injuries is an important part of the journey
• Sharing experiences and inspiring others can be a rewarding aspect of mountaineering
• Continuously pushing boundaries and pursuing self-improvement is key
• Becoming self-sufficient in the mountains is a goal for many climbers

Engagement Link

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwidup/

Breath by James Nestor: https://amzn.to/4dCVMYp

Rebecca Dent, a dietitian specializing in sports nutrition, shares her journey into working with endurance sports and mountain athletes. She emphasizes the importance of planning and practicing a nutrition strategy for optimal performance. Some common mistakes athletes make include not planning and practicing their nutrition and hydration strategy, forgetting to eat and drink during activity, and starting to eat and drink too late. Dent recommends creating a nutrition strategy per hour of moving time and focusing on carbohydrates as the primary fuel source. She also discusses the importance of recovery nutrition and how to recover from bonking. In this conversation, Rebecca Dent discusses hydration and nutrition strategies for endurance athletes. She emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated during training and provides tips for maintaining optimal hydration levels. Rebecca also addresses the topic of intermittent fasting and explains why it is not recommended for athletes. She highlights the natural increase in fat oxidation that occurs through endurance training and advises against the need for fasting training. Overall, Rebecca provides valuable insights into the role of hydration and nutrition in optimizing performance for endurance athletes.

Takeaways

• Plan and practice a nutrition strategy for optimal performance in endurance sports and mountain activities.
• Common mistakes include not planning and practicing nutrition, forgetting to eat and drink, and starting to eat and drink too late.
• Focus on carbohydrates as the primary fuel source during activity.
• Recovery nutrition is important for replenishing energy and supporting muscle repair.
• If you experience bonking, consume fast-acting carbohydrates and back it up with more substantial food. Staying hydrated during training is crucial for optimal performance and energy levels.
• Carrying a sports drink and regularly sipping on it can help maintain energy levels and offset dehydration.
• Intermittent fasting is not recommended for endurance athletes as it can lead to negative health and performance consequences.
• Endurance training naturally increases fat oxidation rates, eliminating the need for fasting training.
• Focus on fueling your training and giving your body time to adapt and improve.

Engagement Link

https://www.rebeccadent.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/high_performance_dietitian/

Sweat Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHZPWGHHh20

This episode of the Finding Elevation podcast focuses on the letdown effect that athletes often experience after achieving a peak moment, such as summiting a mountain. The letdown effect is characterized by a decline in physical and mental well-being, including symptoms like apathy and fatigue. The lack of routine and the loss of the close-knit team dynamic contribute to this feeling of letdown. The host provides several tools to help athletes work through the letdown effect, including taking a break, focusing on good nutrition and sleep, journaling, staying connected with the climbing community, practicing mindfulness and meditation, and planning the next adventure.

Takeaways

• The letdown effect is a common experience for athletes after achieving a peak moment.
• Taking a break and giving yourself permission to rest is important for recovery.
• Good nutrition and sleep are essential for physical and mental well-being.
• Journaling and staying connected with the climbing community can help with emotional and mental recovery.
• Practicing mindfulness and meditation can support mental fitness.
• Planning the next adventure can provide motivation and help overcome the letdown.