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In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Leah Avery, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, former D1 All-American swimmer, and run coach for Train Smart Run Strong. Leah shares her journey from battling performance anxiety in marathons to helping runners train smarter and stay injury-free. Whether you’re chasing a PR or justwant to enjoy running more, Leah’s insights on mindset, injury prevention, and balanced training will leave you motivated to lace up.

Train Smart Run Strong: Visit trainsmartrunstrong.com to explore Leah’s coaching programs and free resources for runners.

Follow Leah: Connect on Instagram @leah.runs.dpt for daily tips, workouts, and inspiration.

Strength Training for Runners: Check out Leah’s recommended exercises on her website to bulletproof your body.

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⬆️ Send us a text at the link above with questions for the show, show ideas, comments, or if you want to be a guest on the show.

🌎 Check out our website

http://www.endurancedad.fm

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https://instagram.com/ultraorthodoc

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First Step Productions, LLC.

Have a question for the show? Text us!

Once a nightclub owner living the high life—smoking three packs a day and downing a bottle of Jameson nightly—he hit rock bottom with a mini-stroke that flipped the switch. Now, nearly two years sober and transformed through endurance running, he’s training for a 100-mile run to support the Wounded Warriors Project. In this raw and inspiring episode, hear how he went from 305 lbs and a health scare to finding purpose in fitness, self-care, and giving back. If he can turn it around, so can you.

Chapters

00:00 From Nightlife to New Beginnings
02:53 Health Scares and Life Changes
06:10 The Journey to Running
09:04 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose
11:56 The Power of Endurance Running
15:10 Training Techniques and Personal Growth
18:07 Mental Strength and Grit in Running
21:03 Finding Therapy in Movement
24:48 The Journey to Ultra Marathons
32:29 Running for a Cause: Wounded Warriors
46:43 Discipline Over Motivation

Check out Sean's Wounded Warrior page and donate if you can!

https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=20974&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabv7fWzqCcNkPVgDHgB7hDS4wK1EMap99grq6cLX_5x3N_QfoIz711vYw0_aem_uwThxa2sXcRjmn7pDyiHLw

Support the show

⬆️ Send us a text at the link above with questions for the show, show ideas, comments, or if you want to be a guest on the show.

🌎 Check out our website

http://www.endurancedad.fm

🔗 Follow us on Instagram

https://instagram.com/ultraorthodoc

🎙️ Love the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

First Step Productions, LLC.

Have a question for the show? Text us!

What happens when your ‘healthy’ Diet Coke turns out to be a gut-wrecking, glucose-spiking, weight-sticking traitor? In this episode, I—your host, a busy dad, husband, military veteran, and orthopaedic surgeon who traded wheezing down the block for Ironman finish lines—dive into the shady world of artificial sweeteners. From aspartame to sucralose, these zero-calorie con artists are messing with your gut microbiome, jacking up your blood sugar, and keeping those love handles glued on. Expect laughs, science-backed rants, and real talk on how to ditch the fake stuff and break your limits—because the toughest step isn’t the last one, it’s the first.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why artificial sweeteners turn your gut into a bacterial war zone.
• How they trick your body into glucose intolerance (spoiler: your pancreas hates them).
• The sneaky reason you’re not losing weight, even with ‘zero calories.’
• My story of kicking the Diet Coke habit and Lo Carb Monsters—and how you can too.

References:

• Suez, J., et al. (2014). "Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota." Nature. Link
• Dalenberg, J.R., et al. (2018). "Short-term consumption of sucralose with, but not without, carbohydrate impairs insulin sensitivity." Physiology & Behavior. Link
• Azad, M.B., et al. (2017). "Nonnutritive sweeteners and cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis." PLoS Medicine. Link
• Zmora, N., et al. (2021). "Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance." Gut Microbes. Link

Subscribe & Connect:

• Hit that subscribe button for more gut-punching truths and tips to crush your goals—whether it’s your first 5K or an ultra marathon.
• Share this episode with your Splenda-sipping pals and leave a review—let’s get real about breaking barriers!
• Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes rants and endurance hacks.

Support the show

⬆️ Send us a text at the link above with questions for the show, show ideas, comments, or if you want to be a guest on the show.

🌎 Check out our website

http://www.endurancedad.fm

🔗 Follow us on Instagram

https://instagram.com/ultraorthodoc

🎙️ Love the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

First Step Productions, LLC.