The Science of Capacity: Enhancing Your Mental, Physical, and Emotional Resilience
In this episode, Alex and Meredith dive into the topic of why some people can handle more mental, physical, and emotional load than others. They explore the impact of innate traits like neurodiversity, the influence of upbringing, and the significance of building systems and structures. They also discuss increasing physical endurance through progressive training, the complexities of emotional resilience, and the importance of optimizing one’s environment for efficiency.
— Grilled Cheese Meltdown
— Cooking and Relationship Dynamics
— Balancing Work and Personal Life
— Understanding Capacity
— Innate vs. Built Capacity
— Finding Balance in Life
— Burnout and Rigidity
— Building Capacity: Physical, Emotional, and Mental
— Building Capacity: Physical, Emotional, and Mental
— Task Prioritization and Systems
— Physical Capacity and Fitness Progression
— Emotional Resilience and Response Control
— Practical Tips for Increasing Capacity
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Meredith's ADHD Journey: How It's Going and What We've Learned
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Meredith’s ADHD Journey Update: Medication, Relationships, and Finding Balance
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Making “No” Your Default
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: The Afternoon Snack Mindset Compilation Episode: Embracing Imperfection, The 5 Pillars of Success, and Self-Acceptance
· The Mindful Body: Harvard’s Dr. Ellen Langer On The Power Of Mindfulness, How Thoughts Can Control Health, & Using Perspective To Lower Stress
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1:10:51
Cycling Chronicles: Training, Prepping for Unbound, and the Struggles of Bike Maintenance
In this episode of Afternoon Snack, Meredith and Alex discuss all things bike maintenance and training. They compare their training methods; Meredith's training characterized by structured, linear progression similar to her marathon preparation, whereas Alex embraces a more traditional, varied cycling regimen. They also go over their FTP (Functional Threshold Power) and critical power metrics, shedding light on how different methodologies can lead to significant improvements. Additionally, they touch on the importance of finding balance between fun and structured training, emphasizing how personal enjoyment and belief in one's training plan are pivotal for performance.
— Learning Bike Maintenance
— The Importance of SOPs
— Bike Training Goals
— Training Methods and Adaptations
— Comparing Efficiency: Swimming, Running, and Biking
— Cycling Training: Stamina and Recovery
— FTP Testing and Training Insights
— Power Output and Human Potential
— Balancing Training and Enjoyment
— Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Alex’s Half Ironman Post-Race Recap: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
· Save 10% on Zwift Ride, Smart Frame, & Kickr Core with TACTICZWIFT10
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Riding through Rebecca’s Private Idaho: A Weekend of Gravel, Growth, and Connection
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Wins at Unbound Gravel!
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: The Realities of High Altitude Training + Leadville 100 Recap!
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59:11
We’re Live From the Comments Section: Confidence, Criticism & Alex is NOT on Steroids…
Welcome back to another Comments Section episode! Alex and Meredith discuss a wide range of topics from the significance of new haircuts and feeling confident to addressing online criticism and misconceptions about fitness and health. They discuss the complexities of balancing public perception while staying authentic, and emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and curiosity in engaging with online content. Additionally, they touch upon societal tendencies to undermine hard work and success by attributing achievements to unfair advantages.
— Adjusting to the Change
— Confidence and External Validation
— Life on the Internet
— Fitness Influencers and Diet Culture
— The Psychology of Success
— Alex is NOT on Steroids
— The Fitness Industry's Misleading Promises
— The Reality of CrossFit Training
— Debunking Myths About Women's Training
— The Importance of Nuance in Health Advice
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
· Grit by Angela Duckworth
· And We’re Live!…From The Comments Section
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54:36
The Truth About Cortisol, Menopause & HIIT Workouts
In this episode, Alex and Meredith discuss cortisol, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and its impact on women going through menopause. They explore common myths surrounding cortisol, including whether high-intensity exercise is beneficial or detrimental for menopausal women. They also discuss common fat distribution changes during menopause, metabolic flexibility, the differences in exercise adaptations between men and women, and whether cold plunges are as effective as some say.
— Live from the Semi-Finished Podcast Studio!
— No-Bra Workouts
— Cortisol and Menopause
— Debunking the Cortisol and Belly Fat Myth
— High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Menopause
— The Benefits of Exercise for Postmenopausal Women
— Understanding Cortisol and Exercise
— Strength Training and Misconceptions
— The Truth About Cold Plunges
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
· Listen to Afternoon Snack: Changing the Narrative on Menopause and Fitness with Selene Yeager
· Women & Cold Plunging - What No One Talks About | Mel Robbins
· High Intensity Interval Training on Body Composition in Women
· Effect of Diet With or Without Exercise on Abdominal Fat in Postmenopausal Women
· The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women
· Estrogen reduces 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in liver and visceral, but not subcutaneous, adipose tissue in rats
· Self-Selected Resistance Exercise Load: Implications for Research and Prescription
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1:08:19
The Before & After of Alex’s New Look: Transformation, Building Confidence & Self-Expression
In this episode, join Alex before and after her major hair transformation. Alex and Meredith discuss the motivation behind the change, feelings of anticipation and anxiety pre and post hair cut, and the broader implications for self-identity and confidence. They also touch on the metaphorical significance of such changes and how small acts of courage can lead to greater personal growth.
— The Big Transformation Plan
— Haircut Day Preparations
— Hair & Identity
— Post-Haircut Reflections
— Dealing with Public Reactions
— Embracing Change and External Validation
— Confidence in Self-Expression
— Coming Out and Career Changes
— The Haircut Experience
— Embracing Natural Hair
— Our Thoughts on Change & Building Confidence
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
· Alex’s Hair Reveal!
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Alex Parker and Meredith Root’s Afternoon Snack Podcast invites you to join in on conversations where science, culture, and philosophy meet practical personal advice and experience that everyone needs to hear. They ask the big and small questions to get you thinking while injecting a hefty amount of personal experience and banter as partners in life, business, and sport. New episodes every Wednesday.
Ireland