Episodes

  • Episode 495: Performance Enhancing Drugs In Ultramarathon | Kilian Korth

    Episode 495: Performance Enhancing Drugs In Ultramarathon | Kilian Korth
    Jul 29 2026
    Kilian Korth joined the show to have a discussion around ultrarunning's growing professionalization without sophisticated regulated drug testing, the limits and trade-offs of WADA/USADA-style regimes, and why "doping" as a blanket term obscures intent and severity. We unpack gray areas such as THC thresholds, TUE complexity for common medications, transparency vs backlash, influencer incentives, and the future pressure regenerative medicine and technology (e.g., super shoes) may place on sport rules. Kilian: IG: @runtoughmindset | Substack: https://substack.com/@runtoughmindset Sponsors: LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: https://deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) True Nutrition: https://truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off) Episode Summary & Notes: Zach Bitter & Kilian Korth on PEDs, incentives, and doping in ultrarunning Context & framing Conversation is the third appearance by Kilian on Zach's podcast; shifts from traditional training/racing episodes toward current events in running. Sparked by recent doping-related controversies (Cam Hanes / Sage Canaday online conflict, Mike McKnight's discussion of BPC-157 use on Hanes' podcast). Both emphasize moving beyond narrow focus on specific peptides/cases to broader structural issues. Activism, incentives & tribalism Skepticism of modern activism: good causes often get distorted by perverse incentives (attention, platform growth, organizational self-preservation/mission creep). Online environments (especially short-form social media) reward polarization over curiosity or truth-seeking. Parallel drawn to low-carb diet advocacy: movement shifted from exploration of pros/cons toward dietary supremacy and identity attachment. Both hosts value changing one's mind with new evidence and prefer evolving conversations over tribal "debates" aimed at winning. Core problem in ultrarunning Rapid professionalization and financial incentives exist, but sophisticated testing (especially out-of-competition) is essentially absent. Honor-code system + high rewards creates conditions in which some athletes near the top are likely to use PEDs. Contrast with Olympic sports (e.g., swimming) where positives occur even with lower financial stakes. "Doping" is an unhelpful blanket term that equates intentional, high-impact cheating (e.g., EPO) with gray-area or accidental cases. BPC-157 and gray areas BPC-157 is an experimental peptide with very limited human data (one small study of 12 people among 36 total studies reviewed). Anecdotally has been used for tendon/muscle healing; on the WADA banned list at all times (no TUE pathway currently). Gray areas exist in WADA criteria themselves (performance enhancement potential, health risk, "spirit of the sport"). THC example: banned in-competition with a relatively high threshold; removed alcohol from the list is an example of changes over time. Distinction between letter of the rules vs. moral/cosmic fairness; between intentional advantage-seeking and medical/recovery use. Testing realities & practical challenges Full USADA/WADA-style regimes require whereabouts reporting, out-of-competition testing, and significant lifestyle constraints (conflicts with the free-spirited, remote nature of trail/ultrarunning). Even gold-standard systems have loopholes (missed whereabouts, remote camps, short-acting substances timed around sleep windows). Half-measures are expensive, burdensome, and unlikely to deter determined cheaters. Middle-of-pack and age-group athletes face different calculus; many use legitimate medications (inhalers, etc.) that may or may not require TUEs depending on type and dose/threshold. Possible paths forward discussed Transparency and honesty should be encouraged rather than punished (both hosts respect that Hanes and McKnight disclosed BPC-157 use). Practical ideas: Optional "non-competitive / open" checkbox so athletes using regulated substances can still participate without affecting results/records. Tested vs. non-tested divisions (bodybuilding-style model). More education needed around legitimate medical use (TUEs, Global DRO checks). Focus should prioritize the small professional/elite tier where financial and competitive incentives are highest over age-group minutiae. Future regenerative medicine and longevity interventions will force further adaptation; sport has already accepted large performance gains from technology (super shoes) more readily than internal/medical ones. Influencers & broader culture Influencer economy adds complexity: financial incentives to promote products or share experimental practices; difference between sharing personal experience vs. recommending use. Transparency with clear caveats is preferred; pure anecdote-driven advice remains problematic. Societal issues (tribalism, algorithmic incentives, low scientific literacy) make clean solutions difficult inside a small niche like ultrarunning. Closing ...
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    1 hr and 55 mins
  • Run The News | Josh Kerr Shatters 27 Year Old Mile World Record

    Run The News | Josh Kerr Shatters 27 Year Old Mile World Record
    Jul 20 2026

    Josh Kerr shattered the mile World Record, running 3:42.66. Everett Smulders has run 3:58 in the mile, and follows the sport closely, so he joined me to discuss everything surrounding this historic day. We dive into what made this such a mainstream attention grabber, what made it stand out from similar accomplishments, and a variety of other topics.

    Everett: wesflytrained.club/apply? I IG: @coachsmulders

    Episode Sponsors:

    • True Nutrition: truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off)

    • ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

    • LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

    • deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

    Podcast Details:

    • Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

    • HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

    • Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

    • Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

    • Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Run The News | Backyard Ultra Records Disqualified at the Biotropica Backyard Ultra

    Run The News | Backyard Ultra Records Disqualified at the Biotropica Backyard Ultra
    Jul 17 2026

    There was recently some controversy at the Biotropica Backyard Ultra where both the men's and women's world bests were broken. After the event concluded, it was revealed that some violations occurred, causing all results from the event to be disqualified, including the top performances. Mark Dowdle joined me to discuss what happened, along with other related topics around rules in the sport of ultra marathon.

    Mark Dowdle: IG @mark.dowdle | YT @mark.dowdle

    Episode Sponsors:

    • ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

    • LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

    • deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

    Podcast Details:

    • Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

    • HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

    • Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

    • Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

    • Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 494: Developing As An Ultramarathon Runner | Lotti Brinks

    Episode 494: Developing As An Ultramarathon Runner | Lotti Brinks
    Jul 13 2026

    Lotti Brinks is a rising star in the sport of trail ultramarathon. She has improved year over year, which recently resulted in finishing 5th at the 2026 WSER 100. She joins the show to discuss history with the sport of running, introduction to the sport of ultramarathon, becoming a professional athlete with Hoka, the growing trend of race day optimization with team training camps, and how she has shaped her mindset to stay balanced in life outside of being a professional runner.

    Lotti Brinks: @lotti_brinks | https://www.strava.com/pros/25210246

    Episode Sponsors:

    • ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

    • LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

    • deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

    • True Nutrition: truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off)

    Podcast Details:

    • Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

    • HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

    • Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

    • Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

    • Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 493: Comrades Champion | George Kusche

    Episode 493: Comrades Champion | George Kusche
    Jul 5 2026

    The Comrades Marathon is one of the most competitive ultramarathons on the planet. The 99th running of the historic point to point course recently saw both the men's and women's course records go down. George Kusche was the men's and overall winner with a time of 5 hours 15 minutes 56 seconds over the 85.77 km net uphill course.

    George Kusche: @kuschegeorge

    Episode Sponsors:

    • ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

    • LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

    • deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

    Podcast Details:

    • Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

    • HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

    • Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

    • Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

    • Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

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    50 mins
  • Run The News | Did WSER 100 Highlight A Missed Pacing Advantage?

    Run The News | Did WSER 100 Highlight A Missed Pacing Advantage?
    Jun 29 2026

    WSER 100 2026 was defined by large improvements in finishing times across both the men's and women's top finishers. What does the historically cooler temps help tell us about the next big performance boosting strategy for ultramarathon races? Nick Coury joins me to discuss the pacing variable that may still yield big improvements at races like WSER 100.

    Episode Sponsors:

    • ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

    • LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

    • deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

    • True Nutrition: truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off)

    Podcast Details:

    • Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

    • HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

    • Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

    • Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

    • Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

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    41 mins
  • Run The News | Downhill Treadmill & Heat Training

    Run The News | Downhill Treadmill & Heat Training
    Jun 26 2026

    Some eye catching training techniques have recently been highlighted in the running world. These included what appears to be an excessive degree weighted downhill treadmill work, and heat train maxxing. I give some thoughts on both, and what they mean for the average runner.

    Episode Sponsors:

    ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

    LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

    deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

    Podcast Details:

    Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

    HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

    Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

    Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

    Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

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    14 mins
  • Episode 492: My Blood Clot Diagnosis

    Episode 492: My Blood Clot Diagnosis
    Jun 24 2026

    I was recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a blood clot. I was traveling for a race when symptoms presented. This is a timeline of the events that led to me getting checked and confirmed. DVT is a situation where if you don't act soon, it can get very bad. Getting checked when symptoms present is very important, and I hope to highlight that with my story.

    Episode Sponsors:

    ProBio: probionutrition.com/endurance Code: Endurance (20% Off)

    LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase)

    deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off)

    True Nutrition: truenutrition.com/hpo Code: HPO (20% Off)

    Podcast Details:

    Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors

    HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo

    Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching

    Zach's Journal: substack.com/@zachbitter

    Find Zach: zachbitter.com | IG: @zachbitter | X: @zbitter | FB: Zach Bitter | Strava: Zach Bitter

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    19 mins