Nitty Gritty Training - podcast cover

Nitty Gritty Training

Canadian Olympian & Exercise Physiologist Jessica O'Connell and Pro Obstacle Course racer & strength specialist Faye Stenning provide amazing training content on strength, running, and obstacle racing, with banter to boot! To learn about their online coaching, please visit www.gritcoaching.net.
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Episodes

Run your BEST OCR race!

Very few people have had as many podium finishes at OCR events as Faye Stenning. This episode, she shares many of her BEST hacks on how to perform your best at an OCR race. Whether you're training for your first race or your 100th, you're sure to pick up a game-changing tip or two curtesy of Faye's immense experience. This podcast is a rerelease originally recorded in Spring 2021 and is hosted by Jessica O'Connell (MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY) and Faye Stenning (BKin). Jess and Faye bring grad school edu...

Jul 14, 202358 min

Excel in Uphill and Downhill Running

It's a hill, get over it! Hill running is mechanically and metabolically different than flat running and requires a combination of fitness and skill to thrive. Luckily, uphill and downhill running ability is trainable. We drop tips on how to properly train for and run up and downhill, even if you don't necessarily have incline readily available. It's a hill, and we'll help you get over it! This is a repost of an episode originally airing in Spring 2021 and is hosted by Faye Stenning and Jessica ...

Jun 30, 20231 hr 1 min

Training and Racing in the Heat

We're on the cusp of summer and hot weather is BACK! Every spring, athletes worldwide find themselves questioning their fitness and wondering why it's suddenly so challenging to hit training paces. The answer: t's hot outside, and heat must be respected! In this episode, we detail how to adjust training to the heat, how heat adaptation works, and how to adjust training and racing plans to have success in high temperatures. This episode is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye...

Jun 16, 20231 hr 1 min

Pelvic Floor Physio for Runners w/ Dr Emmi Aguillard

Dr. Emmi Aguillard, PT, DPT, FAFS is a NYC-based physical therapist who specializes in treating and training runners. She also has advanced training in pelvic health and works with women to safely maintain their optimal fitness and performance both during pregnancy and as they return to running after giving birth. Emmi has even co-authored a book on running injury prevention called Run Healthy and is an expert in the field. The pelvic floor is a bit of a mysterious body part and we take the oppo...

Jun 02, 202342 min

SLEEP your way to better performance!

Move over, fancy recovery hacks! Consistent, good-quality sleep is the #1 way to recover from training and improve athletic performance. Unfortunately, athletes are more prone to sleep disorders than the general population. This re-released episode dives into why sleep is important, how to improve your sleep, and how sleep affects training and racing. We promise this episode won't be a snooze-fest! This episode is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye Stenning, BKin, and coac...

May 19, 202343 min

Basic Sports Nutrition - Carbs are king!

Sports nutrition is one of the most important, yet most confusing, parts of training. Between fad diets, charismatic influencers, and the inherent emotion surrounding eating, it can be hard to find good, solid infomation. This episode, we provide science-backed, evidence based advice on fueling pre- and post-workout, around races, during long runs, and more! Nutrition doesn't have to be complicated, but it's important to understand how to properly fuel your body for wellness, training, and recov...

May 05, 202354 minSeason 1Ep. 81

What Track and Field Coaching Can Teach Us

In fitness, the term “coaching” can feel a bit convoluted - from online, to personal, to group, to sports teams, there is a lot going on. Over the last year, our Grit Coaching endurance coach, Jess, has begun coaching a university team. This week, she’ll share what she’s learned and brought to Grit ONLINE coaching and what to think about when considering different coaching options. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Conne...

Apr 14, 202345 min

Is The Whoop Worth It

Heart Rate Variability has gained a lot of attention over the past few years thanks to fun monitoring toys like Whoop and Aura ring. This episode, we dive into what HRV is, and, more importantly, how to best use it as a training readiness tool. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes...

Mar 31, 202338 min

Heart Rate Zones

Heart rate zone training is all the rage - it's simple, clear, and accessible on your watch! That said - before you dictate ALL your training by zones, you better be sure you understand them. Tune in to learn how they work and what you should look out for! The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes...

Mar 17, 202346 min

Reviewing Race #1 -2023

Many people raced for the first time this season last weekend - the 2023 OCR season has begun! We spend the first part of the episode helping you debrief what went well and what definitely needs to be sorted before you toe the line again. Then, we chat in detail about the rest of the USNS venues and what key things you can place in your training in order to dominate each unique course and distance. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olym...

Mar 03, 202348 min

Kris Rugloski

Kris is a 26 yr old resident of Colorado who loves to run far, preferably in the mountains. Having seen success in anything from 3-mile obstacle course races to 100-mile mountain trail ultras (only a few weeks apart(!), she’s always down for an adventure and a chance to push her limits. She lives by the principle of asking not what you can do for your body but what your body can do for you. Kris shares great wisdom on embodying a fitness, healthy, and fun lifestyle! The Nitty Gritty Training Pod...

Feb 17, 202351 min

Who is Matt B. Davis?

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. We are joined by the legend himself - Matt B Davis! The voice behind and face of Obstacle Racing Media shares a bit about how he got into obstacle racing and shares lots of his hot takes on the history and future of the sport. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes...

Feb 03, 20231 hr 10 min

Hot or Not

This week we give you the nitty gritty on EIGHT of the hottest fitness fads, including CrossFit, pilates, HITT training, hybrid racing, and more. We break down what each fad is, what we love about each one, and what you should be cautious of. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes...

Jan 20, 20231 hr

Make Your Resolutions Your Reality

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Resolutions are just a fancy word for "goals", and athletes are no strangers to goals! However, resolutions are notorious for being quickly forgotten. This week, we share some effective tips on how to make your new year's goals attainable, realistic, and much more likely to be reached. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes...

Jan 06, 202346 min

Nitty Gritty Unwrapped

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. We're celebrating TWO years of the Nitty Gritty Training Podcast with a walk down memory lane! In this episode, we share some of our hottest takes and the most helpful or interesting facts we've learned over the past 70+ episodes. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes...

Dec 16, 202242 min

Shari Boyle

Hold my protein shake...An interview with the ageless Shari Boyle The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Shari is a lifelong athlete with a range of accomplishments including racing at the 2005 World Cross Country Championships, being a member of the 4x800m Master's World Record team, and finishing 4th at the Spartan Race Canadian Elite series in 2021. That's right - the ELITE series, as a Master! at 49 years old, Sh...

Dec 02, 202259 min

Build The Home Gym Of Your Dreams!

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Nothing beats the convenience and customizability of a home gym. That said, it can be hard to know where to start! What equipment is essential, and what just takes up space? How can you create a home gym on a budget? We break down where to spend your money and what to hold off on to make your home gym as practical as possible. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Ni...

Nov 18, 202244 min

Breaking Through Plateaus

The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is a bi-weekly show with OCR Pro Faye Stenning and Canadian Olympian Jess O'Connell. Does your training or racing feel stale? Not sure how to get your mojo back? We take you through ten important (and often overlooked) things to consider when trying to break through a plateau and continue to get stronger, faster, and perform better. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes...

Nov 04, 202241 min

Talking PreHab with Craig Lindell

The Prehab Guys are a group of physios who deliver some of the best injury prevention content - their 900k +++ Instagram subscribers know what's up! Today we are joined by Prehab Guy Craig who takes us through his best tips on injury prevention and performance improvement for runners and active individuals. He also shares his rehab philosophy and talks about how he and his friends built their Prehab empire. The PreHab Guys Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes ....

Oct 21, 202253 min

Tyler Veerman Is Fit!

Tyler was recently crowned the OCRWC 15 km champion, running away from an accomplished field. Any world championship win is noteworthy, but what makes this even more impressive is that Tyler was preparing to race at the Spartan 24-hour Ultra World Championships, and pivoted his sights to the 15km (an event that is much much shorter) only a week before after the Ultra was canceled! Tyler tells us about his training and the mindset he uses to excel in long races. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen ...

Oct 07, 202254 min

Grit Coaching Q and A

Jess and Faye answer questions about training and racing submitted by YOU, our listeners! We talk about everything from heart rate to Abu Dhabi - this episode has something for everyone! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here ....

Sep 21, 202259 min

Catching up with Lauren Weeks

Lauren has been making waves in everything over the past few years - she is a two-time Hyrox World Champion, Spartan Games Champion and most recently broke the Dekafit World Record only 8 weeks after having a baby! In this episode, we talk all about hybrid racing, training to be successful at multiple types of events, and of course life as a new mom! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here ....

Sep 09, 202250 min

How to Krush Kelowna

Big White ski resort in Kelowna, Canada is the site of the 2022 Spartan North American championships. We did some sleuthing and lay down some tips on how to nail the course and how to maximize your post-race fun! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here ....

Aug 23, 202258 min

Stay Healthy with Bridget Pyke

Bridget Pyke is a physiotherapist, runner, and running coach. She shares tons of knowledge on how to avoid injury and recover well through all stages of your running career. By wearing multiple hats, Bridget has a holistic view of training, recovery, and injury rehab - you're sure to learn something! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here ....

Aug 12, 202252 min

Emma Cook-Clarke

We are joined by Emma Cook-Clark, 2021 North American Champion. She was also 4th-place finisher at Spartan Worlds in her first year in the sport. Emma is a talented OCR racer but perhaps even more of a natural mountain runner and all-around adventurer. Emma speaks candidly about being a newcomer to Spartan racing and shares many great stories about her incredible outdoor antics. This was a great chat! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here ....

Jul 29, 202258 min

Hanging With Hawk Call

Join us for a great chat with Hawk Call, a young athlete who's taking the OCR scene by storm. Hawk chats candidly about his training, his goals in OCR, and how his father, Spartan legend Hobie, has helped shape his sporting aspirations. Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here ....

Jul 15, 20221 hr 2 min

Training for Multiple Different Endurance Events

There are SO many different types of endurance races out there - road, trail, mountain and sky running, Spartans and Hyrox, Mountain bike, and even Skimo! Many of these endurance events attract similar crowds and can make training schedules a fun type of chaotic. What meshes and what clashes? Find out on today's episode! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here ....

Jul 01, 202245 min

Nicole Mericle's Comeback

OCR Champion Faye Stenning and Olympian Jess O’Connell, have brought their coaching platform to the Obstacle Racing Media family of podcasts. Nicole was one of the best OCR athletes in the world when she abruptly tore her ACL in a race last year. Over the last 12 months, she's committed herself to tedious rehab exercises and a painfully slow comeback, playing the long game to ensure a future of health and durability in sport. Nicole shares what this process has been like and some of the incredib...

Jun 17, 20221 hr 6 min

Nitty Gritty Mythbusters

OCR Champion Faye Stenning and Olympian Jess O’Connell, have brought their coaching platform to the Obstacle Racing Media family of podcasts. This week, we break down a few common fitness myths that we see in the media or come up with our coaching clients. We chat about everything from nutrition to training paces to tech and know that clearing up a few of these misconceptions can greatly help your training! Faye Jess Coaching Website Listen to this and all Nitty Gritty episodes here...

Jun 03, 202257 min

Catching Up With Hunter McIntyre

This week we are joined by Hunter McIntyre who’s fresh off winning the Hyrox World Championship! This man has an unmatched combination of speed and strength and in this episode, we dive deep into his training. We also discuss what it takes to be a world champion, what motivates him, and hear about some of his business ventures! OCR Champion Faye Stenning and Olympian Jess O’Connell, have brought their coaching platform to the Obstacle Racing Media family of podcasts. Faye Jess Coaching Website L...

May 20, 202248 min
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