The Stronger Stride Podcast

In case you missed it! Here is a throwback to one of our favourite early episodes.

*Interview starts at 18:00*
Ep: 82: Disordered Eating in Runners / Dietitian Maddi Parsons
Maddi Parsons is a dietitian specialising in disordered eating, mental health and sports nutrition. 
Maddi speaks on an array of topics within the world of nutrition for runners and our relationship with food. We learn about the difference between Disordered Eating and an Eating Disorder, some red flags to lookout for and the implications of under fuelling on performance and bone health.
Some of the topics covered include;
-power to weight ratio
-intuitive eating vs planned for performance goals
-fitting processed gels into a predominately 'wholefood' diet
-fibre and gut comfort during races
-fuelling for long runs
-diet culture and body image in sport
-cravings and hunger cues for athletes 
-using food as a reward and running to earn food
Our chat with Maddi shone a light on some topics that are often swept under the rug, it was both emotive and educational. We know you'll have lots of takeaways from this one and we can't wait to hear what you think.
You can reach out to Maddi on her website https://www.maddiparsonsnutrition.com/about  or instagram via https://www.instagram.com/maddiparsonsnutrition/ 
If this ep has brought anything up for you we've put some links below where you can reach out for help;
Lifeline: ⁠https://www.lifeline.org.au/⁠
Kids Helpline: ⁠https://kidshelpline.com.au/⁠
000 Emergency
Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/ 
Thanks for all of your support! Please rate the podcast, leave a review and follow us on instagram @strongerstride to stay up to date.
Need some nutrition or hydration for your endurance training? Use the code TAILWINDSTRONG at ⁠www.tailwindnutrition.com.au⁠
You can also use our code STRONGERSTRIDE for 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes at ⁠www.solemechanics.com.au

240. Can We Visualise Our Way To Improved Running Performance?
Today we dive into one of the most underused but powerful tools in performance; visualisation. Can we visualise our way to better performance? Today we unpack the affect of mental rehearsal on sporting performance.
Lydia explores the science behind visualisation, breaking down how the brain processes mental imagery and why rehearsing performance in your mind can translate to real-world improvements. Drawing on research and practical sport psychology frameworks, this episode explains how visualisation can influence pacing, fatigue tolerance, skill development, and overall race execution.
We also unpack the PETTLEP model, a structured and evidence-based approach to mental imagery, and walk through a practical step-by-step example of how runners and endurance athletes can implement visualisation into their training.
We cover:
• What visualisation actually is and how it influences performance
• The neuroscience behind mental rehearsal and motor learning
• Research showing improvements in pacing, fatigue management, and skill acquisition
• The psychological benefits including confidence, focus, and emotional regulation
• The PETTLEP model and how to structure effective visualisation sessions
• A practical imagery protocol runners can start using immediately

If you’ve ever felt like you’re physically prepared but struggle with execution, race nerves, or confidence, this episode will give you practical strategies to strengthen the mental side of performance. Whether you’re chasing a PB, preparing for your first race, or simply wanting to train smarter, visualisation is a tool worth exploring.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Visualisation for Performance
02:52 Understanding Visualisation and Its Impact
05:49 Research Insights on Visualisation Techniques
08:15 Types of Visualisation and Their Applications
09:44 Performance Outcomes from Visualisation Practices
12:43 Psychological Benefits of Visualisation
15:12 Practical Implementation of Visualisation Techniques
17:20 The PETTLEP Model Explained
19:57 Key Principles for Effective Visualisation
23:00 Creating a Visualisation Protocol
25:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Visualisation

Mentioned References:
https://members.believeperform.com/imagery-in-sport-elite-athlete-examples-and-the-pettlep-model/
https://discobolulunefs.ro/media/September2020.4.pdf

Follow Us:
Instagram: ⁠@strongerstride⁠ | ⁠@lydia_mckay⁠ | ⁠@sophielane
YouTube: ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAP9eXZNoDB_9zk7WBMm9WA
Discount Codes:
TAILWINDSTRONG: 15% off Tailwind Nutrition
STRONGERSTRIDE: 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes
STRONGER15: 15% off Skorcha Sunscreen
Thanks for tuning in!
TSSP x

In case you missed it, one of our favourite episodes from 2023!

Ep: 80: Flow State + Goal Setting for runners w/ Scott Goddard PHD

*Interview starts at 15:40*
It was an honour to be joined by sports and exercise psychologist, researcher and PhD Scott Goddard, who devotes his time into the studies of human performance, goal setting and flow state. Scott has contributed to research focusing on developing and evaluating intervention strategies to induce optimal psychological states in athletes.
We got to dive deep into the science of setting goals, why it's worth setting them and the relationship between setting a target and improving performance. We talk about process vs outcome and learn how our running experience or even personality type might influence the strategy we should select when reaching for a goal.
Scott shares with us about the Flow State, an elusive yet favourable human experience that appears to have a multitude of benefits and not just for performance. We learn about what the current research says about how we can access flow and what it might look like for different runners. Scott gives us some practical ideas on how we might include this into our training.
Today's episode was deeply insightful and left us excited to get out running to trial some flow state techniques and even re-adjust our 2023 goals. Scott was an absolute wealth of knowledge and we know you'll love learning from him.
Thanks for all of your support! Please rate the podcast, leave a review and follow us on instagram @strongerstride to stay up to date.
Need some nutrition or hydration for your endurance training? Use the code TAILWINDSTRONG at ⁠www.tailwindnutrition.com.au⁠
You can also use our code STRONGERSTRIDE for 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes at ⁠www.solemechanics.com.au

238. Triathlon Training, Volume & Longevity with Coach Jack Saunders
Today we sit down with triathlon coach Jack Saunders to explore the world of triathlon training, endurance performance, and what it really takes to succeed across three demanding disciplines.
Jack shares his journey into triathlon during the pandemic, how his swimming background shaped his progression in the sport, and the key lessons he’s learned as both an athlete and coach. We unpack the realities of triathlon training volume, the complexity of balancing swimming, cycling, and running and scheduling intensity into the training week.
This conversation dives deep into the often-overlooked importance of swimming technique, the role of cross-training for runners, and why strength training is essential not just for performance, but long-term injury prevention. Jack also shares insights into athlete success, coaching philosophies, and why consistency and sustainability are the foundation of endurance sport longevity.
We discuss:
• Jack’s pathway into triathlon and coaching
• Training volume and structuring triathlon programs
• Different triathlon distances and how training changes
• Why swimming technique can be a major performance limiter
• How to structure swim sessions for beginners and developing athletes
• The importance of brick sessions and transition training
• Cross-training benefits for runners and single-sport athletes
• Strength training for injury prevention and performance
• Traits commonly seen in successful endurance athletes
• Why consistency and sustainability outperform short-term intensity
Whether you're a runner curious about triathlon, an endurance athlete looking to improve performance, or someone interested in the coaching and lifestyle side of multisport training, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction to Triathlon Training with Jack Saunders
02:44 Jack's Journey into Triathlon and Coaching
05:44 The Life of a Triathlete: Training Volume and Structure
06:29 Understanding Different Triathlon Distances
08:40 Swimming Techniques for Triathletes
11:25 The Importance of Technique in Swimming
18:47 The Importance of Swim Technique
21:09 Balancing Technique and Cardiovascular Training
24:47 Neuroplasticity in Swimming Technique
27:51 Structuring Swim Sessions for Beginners
30:24 Cross-Training Benefits for Runners
33:03 The Role of Volume in Endurance Training
36:26 Common Traits of Successful Athletes
Follow Us:
Instagram: ⁠@strongerstride⁠ | ⁠@lydia_mckay⁠ | ⁠@jacksaundersau
YouTube: ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAP9eXZNoDB_9zk7WBMm9WA
Discount Codes:
TAILWINDSTRONG: 15% off Tailwind Nutrition
STRONGERSTRIDE: 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes
STRONGER15: 15% off Skorcha Sunscreen
Thanks for tuning in!
TSSP x

This is a catch-up episode from one of our favourites from 2022!

Andy Bryant - The Barefoot Podiatrist 👣 

Andy is well known for his movement in the barefoot podiatry and running community. Andy is a podiatrist based in Melbourne, specialising in analysing individual gait patterns, prescribing specific exercises to address the underlying causes of poor function/pain. and educating clients on how to improve their movement & health. 

Andy is passionate about promoting and helping people restore their most natural foot movement pattern and function in order to prevent injury and enhance performance. We chat about Andy’s career beginnings and how he shifted away from the more traditional orthotic-prescribing practitioner into a more active, movement-based practitioner.  

We cover the details of Andy’s approach to assessing the foot, what he looks for and how his perspective has changed over the years.

Andy goes through some case studies and unpacks the importance of having strong feet for general foot health as well as injury prevention. He speaks on foot intrinsics, big toe position, shoe cushioning, lower limb load transfers in running and shoe pitch influences on biomechanics. If you’re interested in upgrading your anatomy and bio-mechanical knowledge of the foot, learning about influences of shoes on foot shape and the barefoot shoe continuum then this is the episode for you! 

You can find Andy on instagram @andybryant_podiatrist

Thanks again for all of your support! 
Please leave us a review, subscribe & follow us on insta @strongerstride.

Need some nutrition or hydration for your endurance training? Use the code TAILWINDSTRONG at ⁠www.tailwindnutrition.com.au⁠ 

You can also use our code STRONGERSTRIDE for 15% off Vivobarefoot shoes at ⁠www.solemechanics.com.au