Making Shift Happen - podcast cover

Making Shift Happen

Jen Kates with Shift Human Performanceshifthumanperformance.com
Jen Kates from Making Shift Happen reveals all of her evidence-based strategies for living a healthier and more vibrant life that fits with your busy schedule. Her methods show you how to experience food and fitness freedom, which means you don’t spend endless hours each day in the gym without guidance and clarity or in the kitchen meal prepping your life away. It also means you don’t spend an insane amount of time thinking about food – because, let’s be real: there are a LOT more important things to think about. Through this podcast, you’ll be empowered with the simple steps you can take today in order to create and live your own badass life and make shift happen. Mountain biking and gravel cycling are common topics woven in, so join the ride with Jen.
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Episodes

218. Level Up Your MTB Skills: From Rider to Racer in 5 Shifts

Feeling stuck in the “intermediate” zone with your MTB skills on the trails? Do you want to ride more confidently, tackle tougher features, or maybe (finally!) try racing? This episode is your guide to making BIG gains in your mountain biking skills—without the overwhelm. 🙌 I’m breaking it down into just 5 powerful shifts that can help you ride stronger, smarter, and more boldly on the bike. Let's help you progress from an intermediate to and advanced rider! PLUS: I’m sharing all the details ab...

Jun 19, 202518 min

217. Can Protein Supplements Prevent Muscle Loss in Recovery?

Today, I’m talking about protein supplements, amino acids, surgery, and recovering from injury.🤕🩼 If you’ve ever wondered whether a scoop of whey or a few grams of essential aminos in a protein supplement could help someone recover faster from hip or knee replacement surgery (and maybe even just injury or reduced training), then you’re in for a treat. I’m breaking down the latest 2025 meta-analysis that’s all about this. Grab your shaker bottle—and let’s make shift happen! Here's the link to t...

Jun 12, 202514 min

216. Metabolic Flexibility: The Missing Link in Energy, Performance, and Fat Loss

Today, we’re diving into something everyone is talking about without even realizing it… but few actually understand: metabolic flexibility. Think of metabolic flexibility as your body’s ability to shift gears efficiently, burning fat when it makes sense, using carbs when it’s time to perform, and doing it all without crashing or constantly needing a snack. If you’ve ever hit a wall in your workouts, struggled with energy crashes, or felt like your “clean eating” isn’t working anymore, then this ...

Jun 05, 202520 min

215. How to Fuel for Early Morning Training

Knowing how to fuel for early morning training can help you maintain performance and power on and off the bike and in and out of the gym. It can also help you learn how to recover properly since you aren't under-fueling before harder training efforts. Give this episode a listen to learn about the 3 things you can focus on when time is crunched in the morning before your bike rides and/or training. To learn more about nutrition tips for cyclists, check out these episodes: Part 1: How to Fuel Befo...

May 29, 202515 min

214. What NOT to Eat Before Bike Rides

We talk a lot about what to eat before, during, and after your bikes rides… but we don’t talk enough about what NOT to eat before bike rides.💩😳 Give this episode a listen to make sure that you’re eating the RIGHT things before your bike rides - and avoiding the things that may leave you running for la toilette!😉 To learn more about nutrition tips for cyclists, check out these episodes: Part 1: How to Fuel Before Bike Rides Part 2: How to Fuel During Bike Rides Part 3: How to Fuel After Bike R...

May 22, 202514 min

213. Fueling More Miles: Nutrition Tips for Cyclists in Season

As riding season ramps up, mountain bikers and gravel cyclists need to rethink their nutrition. Learn how to fuel longer rides, recover better, and keep energy steady with smart seasonal strategies with these nutrition tips for cyclists. Also, if you're you feeling fatigued, having difficulty sleeping, and getting moody AF? Those could be signs that you're not fueling enough for the added hours in the saddle. Give this episode a listen to make sure you are fueling enough - and effectively - for ...

May 16, 202526 min

212. Are You Ready, Willing, and Able to Change?

So, you’ve decided you’re ready to change - that’s awesome! But are you WILLING to make the change? (It’ll get uncomfortable and not many people love to be uncomfortable.) Are you ABLE to make the change? Or do you need a little support from someone - like a coach - to make it happen?🤔 Give this episode a listen to learn how your readiness, willingness, and ability come into play when it comes to making lasting change in your life.🙌 Here are some other episodes that you should check out: 88. H...

May 08, 202520 min

211. How to Get Your Bike Ready to Ride

With the snow melting and the weather cooperating more for some more riding, let's get your bike ready for some more miles! Give this episode a listen to learn the simple steps you can take to check your bike to make sure it's ready to shred with you.🎧 Also, if you want to check out my cockpit blooper video that I mention in this episode, tap right HERE for some laughs. 😉 Lastly, if you're in the Denver area and want to learn more about bike maintenance with some hands-on mechanic's clinics, t...

May 02, 202524 min

210. Stop Half-Assing Your Life

Distractions obliterate your focus. By not fully-investing your attention into your work or task at hand, you are doing your brain and body a disservice. So, instead of half-assing your focus and rest, learn to set boundaries in order to limit your distractions, and your focus and health will soar! You will feel more present in all that you do. You will have more energy, and you will even become a better human along the way. Why not try to half-ass your life less? To learn more about Steve Magne...

Apr 26, 202527 min

209. Creatine and Women

Creatine is one of the most researched supplements in the world, and it is found to be safe and effective. However, creatine use among women is vastly under-researched (what else is new?). Recent research is including more women (which we desperately need!), and the current research is showing that women store and synthesize less creatine than males. In this episode, I explain the differences between women and men when to comes to creatine supplementation, and how dosage can be adjusted, if at a...

Apr 18, 202518 min

208. The Downsides and Dangers of Supplements

Despite supplements sometimes being beneficial and having a relatively low-risk profile, there are some downsides and dangers to supplements. In this episode, I share some things to look out for when it comes to supplements, as well as a couple of things you can do to keep your safety and health in check if you decide to supplement. Some things you can look for on the labels of your supplements are that the supplement company practices Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and you get some bonus poi...

Apr 10, 202537 min

207. My 2025 Non-Money Financial Goals

Financial goals don’t have to be about money - they can be about other things that impact your money and investments. This also includes how you choose to invest your TIME, which is fleeting, fam. ⏰ How do you want to invest your time and energy in 2025?🤔 Here are other episodes worth checking out: 9. Do You Really Need to Walk 10k Steps Per Day? 6. Inclusivity in Mountain Biking with Brooke Goudy Working out and trying a new variety of movements is a great way to improve your health. If you wa...

Apr 04, 202520 min

206. Using the 3-3-3 Technique for Overwhelm or Anxiety

Overwhelm, stress, and anxiety can feel daunting. The 3-3-3 technique can help ground yourself in the moment and dissolve these feelings so they don't feel so overwhelming. In this episode, I outline what the 3-3-3 technique is and how you can use it anywhere and anytime to help yourself overcome these feelings of overwhelm, stress, and anxiety. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 77. How to Modify Training When Highly Stressed 35. 10 Ways to Handle Stressful Weeks Working out and trying...

Mar 27, 2025

205. How to Use Heart Rate Recovery as a Performance Metric

Heart rate recovery is an easy metric to use to determine your cardiovascular health. In this episode, I share what heart rate recovery is and how you can use it as a tool to gauge your heart health and fitness. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 201. 8 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy 153. Should You Use Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) or Heart Rate? Working out and trying a new variety of movements is a great way to improve your heart health and focus on your own wellness. If you want...

Mar 20, 202516 min

204. Progress is Not Linear

Progress is not linear, friend. Progress is more like a rollercoaster. Tune into this episode to hear how you can tame the mental monster of thinking that progress needs to happen EVERY time you show up at the gym, on the bike, or on the body weight scale if you’re chasing weight loss. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 105. 3 Reasons You're Not Seeing Progress 18. Focus on Progress Not Expectations Working out and trying a new variety of movements is a great way to live la pura vida an...

Mar 14, 202524 min

203. How to Live la Pura Vida

After spending our vacation in Costa Rica for the past 9 days, Erin and I returned home inspired to live "la pura vida" in Denver. In Costa Rica, la pura vida is a way of life. La pura vida is a way to live life to the fullest. In this episode, I offer the seven ways we are working to live la pura vida back at home in Denver, so our vacation vibe can continue into a way of living and being. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 199. Does Social Media Scrolling Impact Your Performance? 198....

Mar 06, 202520 min

202. F*ck the Scale

I am digging up this episode from the archives! This episode was originally published as episode 16, which was released on May 3, 2021 (which is wild to me). Even if you listened to the original episode, I'd love for you to listen to it again, because the scale and how much you weigh is the least important or interesting thing about you. F*ck the scale as the ONLY source of information regarding your progress. There are so many other things you can use to determine your progress. Give this episo...

Feb 27, 202534 min

201. 8 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

February is Heart Health Month, so let's talk about how you can keep your heart health as a focus. With these 8 straightforward tips, you can keep your attention on your heart health without being bogged down by the gimmicks and supplements that are so prevalent today. This is especially important if cardiovascular issues run in your family or if you’re genetically predisposed for certain chronic diseases. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 186. Breast Cancer Awareness with Stephanie Vi...

Feb 20, 202526 min

200. How to Get Out of a Funk

Your motivation may be low right now when it comes to your workouts, meals, or anything that may make you focus on your overall health and wellness. Winter can be a funk-filled time of year, so how do you get out of a funk? Give this episode a listen to learn about a handful of ways you can get out of a workout or food and health funk with less overwhelm. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 192. Are You Experiencing Burnout? 16. F*ck the Scale Working out and trying a new variety of move...

Feb 13, 202526 min

199. Does Social Media Scrolling Impact Your Performance?

In episode 198 last week, I talked about the ways you can stay informed without doomscrolling. In this episode, I talk about how scrolling on social media may impact your performance in the gym and in sport. It is my hope that this episode will help you consider the impact that scrolling (even beforehand and not during) can have on your training overall. As always, I also give tips and tricks for other things you can do besides scrolling before or during your training. Here are the studies I ref...

Feb 07, 202514 min

198. How to Stay Informed Without Overwhelm

2025 is kicking ass and taking names when it comes to the news cycle, and this can feel very overwhelming. So, how do you stay informed without feeling overwhelmed? Let me share some tips to help prevent you from staring at your screen endlessly and scrolling until your find the end of the Internet. Interested in finding your U.S Representative? Look here. Want to find your U.S. Senator? Go here. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 192. Are You Experiencing Burnout? 189. How to Manage th...

Jan 30, 202535 min

197. The Surprising Side Effect of Strength Training

Strength training has many positive attributes to it including improved aesthetics, strength, resilience, power, and the 'usual' things you expect. But, there is one other positive side effect of strength training that you shouldn't underestimate or take for granted. So, give this episode a listen to hear about this positive side effect, and yet another reason to get into strength training! Here are other episodes worth checking out: 191. How to Create a Strength Workout 170. 7 Things to do to R...

Jan 23, 202510 min

196. 5 Nutrition and Fitness Tips for Winter

Let's make winter better! In this episode, I share my top 5 nutrition and fitness tips for winter, to help you not just get through the season, but thrive in the season as best as you are able to. Here's the link to the insulated shaker bottle I mentioned in this episode - this bottle is perfect to have a cold or warm beverage waiting for you in your car after your ride or ski! Blender Bottle - it's only $20. Here are other episodes worth checking out: 106. Why Zone 2 Endurance is Crucial in You...

Jan 16, 202523 min

195. How to Fail Better

Failing isn't always a bad thing, especially if you know how to fail better. New Year's Resolutions are popular this time of year, and maybe you've already failed at your attempt to make some changes (whether in the new year or another time). Listen to this episode to learn how you can learn from your mistakes or lackluster attempts and fail better. By learning to fail better, you can turn every failure into a success. If you want a copy of my FREE workout guide to help you manage any stress and...

Jan 09, 202517 min

194. Tired of New Year’s Resolutions? Try These Two Things!

I get it - New Year's Resolutions are... tiresome. Annoying. Not ideal for everyone. Maybe you detest New Year's Resolutions. If so, then listen to this episode to learn of two other things you can do instead of setting resolutions or a goal you will may not keep. If you want a copy of my FREE workout guide to help you manage any stress and feel better, then get it here. It can help you put together some workouts on-the-fly if you're traveling this holiday season - enjoy! Here are other episodes...

Jan 01, 202523 min

193. 9 of the Biggest Training Mistakes Cyclists Make

We all make mistakes in our training - but we need to use them as learning experiences. In this episode, I outline 9 of the biggest training mistakes I see cyclists make. I also discuss what to do instead and how to correct many of these mistakes. Be sure to check out the episodes below for more info. Also, join my #ShredStrong program that starts on January 6th! Joining #ShredStrong is an excellent way to avoid making training mistakes. (wink, wink) If you want a copy of my FREE workout guide t...

Dec 19, 202432 min

192. Are You Experiencing Burnout?

Burnout happens gradually, not overnight. You can feel burnout in your work, training, and life in a variety of different ways. In this episode, I talk about the signs of burnout, because being aware of what's going on is the first step. Lastly, I cover some initial steps you can take to help manage the burnout and get you feeling a bit better. If you want a copy of my FREE workout guide to help you manage any stress and feel better, then get it here. It can help you put together some workouts o...

Dec 12, 202428 min

191. How to Create a Strength Workout

Strength workouts don't have to be elusive or confusing! In this episode, I outline the steps you can take to create a strength workout simply and efficiently on your own. If you want a copy of my FREE workout guide, then sign up here (I promise I won't spam ya or sell your info - there is a special place in hell for people who do that). As I mentioned in my last episode (check out episode 190 here!), here are two workouts that I created for the Women's MTB Network that you can use any time: htt...

Nov 28, 202428 min

190. Off-Season Mountain Bike Workouts

The off-season is a great time to work on your strength and power (but I also argue that ALL year is the best time to work on it!). In this episode, I share a couple of mountain bike workouts that you can do in the off-season if the trails aren't accessible to you because of weather or whatever reason. Check out my blog and the two workouts I share with Women's MTB Network here: https://womensmtbnetwork.com/offseason-mtb-workouts/. That link also included demo videos so you can see how to do the...

Nov 21, 202417 min

188. Election Week De-Stressor Tips

It's Election Day in the United States, which will inevitably turn into election WEEK until the results are tallied. How are you caring for yourself? De-stressor tips and methods can help you manage acute stress with greater ease. Listen in to learn about a grounding method and a breathwork technique that can help you manage your stress this week, or any week. These methods can act as de-stressors for you any time you need to lean on them. Here are some other episodes about stress management to ...

Nov 06, 202412 min
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