The Eat for Endurance Podcast

In episode 136 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by Holley Samuel MEd, RD, CSSD, CPT to break down one of the most talked-about topics in the nutrition world right now… protein!
From social media trends to grocery store shelves, protein is everywhere these days. And while it is essential for performance, recovery, and overall health, the messaging around it has left a lot of athletes confused about how much they actually need.
In this episode, we cut through the noise and bring the conversation back to what  matters most... having a balanced approach to fueling that fits your unique needs and active lifestyle.  
Holley and I discuss:
Why protein is everyone's favorite macro right now
General protein targets for athletes (and why more isn’t always better)
How protein needs change across life stages and training demands
Animal vs. plant protein and what athletes should know about both
Common protein myths and where recommendations go wrong
Protein timing considerations
When protein supplements can be helpful (and when they’re not)
The bottom line is: protein matters, but so does everything else on your plate (especially my favorite… CARBS!).
🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation!
Links & Resources
Follow Holley on Instagram and visit her website
Check out my new sponsor, Good Ranchers: Use code IRON for $40 off a one-time box or $100 off your first 3 boxes when you sign up for a subscription (enter "Eat for Endurance Podcast" in the post-purchase survey)
Fill out my podcast survey by May 15th, and enter to win some great prizes
Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
Check out my free nutrition downloads
Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous, Fuel Goods) and joining my Patreon community
Have a topic you’d like to request? Email me at [email protected]
Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel better!
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.
Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!
Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

GLP-1 medications are everywhere right now, but the conversation around them often lacks nuance and is rarely discussed through the lens of active people. That’s exactly why I’m doing a 3-part podcast series all about GLP-1 medications, with athletes in mind.
In this series, you’ll hear from three dietitians who regularly work with GLP-1 agonists and each bring a unique clinical and personal perspective to the conversation.
I'm kicking things off in episode 135 with Courtney Smith, MS, RD, CDCES, a sports dietitian, diabetes specialist, and longtime endurance athlete.
Together, we break down the basics of GLP-1 medications and what active people need to know in the context of training and health.
Courtney and I discuss:
The history of GLP-1 medications, especially in diabetic populations
Why they have exploded in popularity in recent years
How the various drugs on the market differ, plus dosing practices
The benefits and side effects she's observed in practice
How crucial it is to get ongoing professional support when on GLP-1's, and why you still need to work on diet & lifestyle changes
Why she generally does not recommend GLP-1 drugs for most athletes
If you’ve been hearing about GLP-1 medications and wondering how they may affect your training, fueling, recovery, blood sugar, or overall health as an active person, this episode will answer your questions while laying an important foundation for the rest of the series to come.
🎧 Tune in for the full conversation!
Links & Resources
Follow Courtney on Instagram and visit her website
Check out my new sponsor, Good Ranchers: Use code IRON for $25 off a subscription (enter "Eat for Endurance Podcast" in the post-purchase survey)
Fill out my podcast survey by May 15th, and enter to win some great prizes
Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
Check out my free nutrition downloads
Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous, Fuel Goods) and joining my Patreon community
Have a topic you’d like to request? Email me at [email protected]
Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel better!
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.
Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!
Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

What happens when your identity as an athlete evolves, but your passion for movement, innovation, and challenge stays the same?
In episode 134 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by Jennifer Maxwell, co-founder of PowerBar and creator of JAMBAR, to talk about running, entrepreneurship, fueling a large, active family, and finding new passions later in life.
Jennifer helped launch the global bar category back in 1985 with her husband, long before fueling strategies became a core part of endurance performance. But this conversation goes far beyond the history of energy bars.
Jennifer and I discuss:
How she ran her first marathon at the age of 13
Her early interest in cooking and food science
What it was like building PowerBar out of her apartment while still in college
How she balanced running a business, training, and raising 6 children
How her relationship with running changed after having kids, and especially after her husband's sudden death in 2004
Why learning the drums later in life became such an important outlet
What inspired her return to the bar business decades later with JAMBAR
Jennifer’s story is a powerful reminder that your identity is never fixed. How you move and fuel your body as well as how you spend your time is meant to evolve across different seasons of life.
🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation! 
Note: This podcast is NOT sponsored by JAMBAR. I just wanted to share Jenny's unique story!
Links & Resources
Visit the official JAMBAR website
Fill out my podcast survey by May 15th, and enter to win some great prizes
Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
Grab my Eat for Endurance Mini Guide Bundle (these are included in FLC)
Check out my free nutrition downloads
Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community
Have a topic you’d like to request? Email me at [email protected]
Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.
Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!
Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

What if your low energy or stubborn performance plateau have little to do with your training, and everything to do with your thyroid?
In episode 133 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by Katie Morra, MS, RD, LDN, IFMCP, to talk all about thyroid health for athletes. 
Katie is a Registered Dietitian and former Division 1 athlete who specializes in complex chronic illness. Her practice, Gut Honest Truth, focuses on the identification and treatment of root causes behind chronic inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and thyroid dysfunction.
In this episode, Katie and I discuss:
What the thyroid actually does and how it impacts almost everything in the body
Common signs of thyroid dysfunction in active people
The connection between underfueling, stress, and thyroid function
Why looking at TSH alone doesn’t tell the full story, and what you should get tested instead
Key nutrients for thyroid health 
How gut health impacts nutrient absorption and thyroid function
When someone may need thyroid medication
The difference between Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism caused by underfueling
Practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support the thyroid
This is a complex topic and we only scratch the surface, but it’s a really helpful starting point if you’ve ever wondered whether your thyroid could be playing a role in how you feel or perform.
🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation!
Links & Resources
Follow Katie on Instagram, read the Gut Honest Truth Blog (more info on thyroid), and visit GHT Academy (for clinicians)
Fill out my podcast survey by May 15th, and enter to win some great prizes
Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
Grab my Eat for Endurance Mini Guide Bundle (these are included in FLC)
Check out my free nutrition downloads
Support the podcast by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous) and joining my Patreon community
A listener requested this topic! If you have a topic you'd like to request, get in touch at [email protected] 
Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.
Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!
Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).

With so many new sports nutrition brands and supplements hitting the market each year, how do you know what’s actually worth using?
In Episode 132 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by Sports Dietitian Meghann Featherstun of Featherstone Nutrition for a timely conversation about sports nutrition trends for 2026. 
After attending The Running Event (TRE), Meghann brings a behind-the-scenes perspective on where performance fueling seems to be headed, which products stood out, and what felt overhyped.
Meghann also wrote an entire blog post on her findings, which you can check out here. 
In this episode, Meghann and I discuss:
What to look for when choosing a gel, chew, sports drink, or other sports fueling product 
How there's no one "right" way to create a training or race fueling plan
The biggest sports nutrition trends showing up across brands right now, including changing amounts of carbs, caffeine, and sodium
Non-US sports nutrition brands that caught her eye
Why high carb fueling is not appropriate for all athletes
The importance of being intentional with supplementation
And so much more!
🎧 Tune in to learn how to evaluate sports nutrition trends through an evidence-based lens and make smarter fueling decisions for your training and racing.
Links & Resources
Follow Meghann Featherstun on Instagram and visit Meghann's Website
Fill out my podcast survey by May 15th, and enter to win some great prizes
Interested in comprehensive, in-depth 1:1 coaching? Fill out a new client inquiry form (limited spots available)
Join my membership, Fuel for Life Crew, for just $39/month (cancel anytime)
Browse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)
Grab my Nutrition Mini Guide Bundle 
Check out my free nutrition downloads
Support this FREE content by shopping all my affiliate links (e.g. Skratch, Tailwind, Momentous), buying my fueling stickers, and joining my Patreon community
Get in touch at [email protected] 
Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to help more athletes fuel smarter!
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical or nutrition recommendations.
Want to get in touch? Send Claire a message!
Support the show
Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook (@eatforendurance).