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The Science of Sports Performance

The Science of Sports Performance

By: Ben Pressler
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In this show, we discuss science backed tools and principles related to Nutritional and Exercise Science. Whether you’re a bodybuilder, college athlete, or just trying to improve your everyday fitness level, we provide the knowledge and evidence you need to optimize your training, fueling, and performance.

Your host, Ben Pressler, is a student of Nutritional and Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University. He is pursuing his PhD in Sports Nutrition. He is a bodybuilder, powerlifter, fitness coach, and firefighter, giving him a unique perspective on the theory and practical application of these scientific tools.

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Nutrition 101: Protein | Episode 13
    Dec 17 2025

    Today's episode is the second part of a "Nutrition 101" mini series. In this episode we discuss protein, where you can expect to learn about the basic chemical structure of proteins (amino acids, peptides, and so on), essential and non-essential amino acids, digestion, protein quality of food, guidelines for daily protein consumption, BCAA supplements, and more.

    2:07 Basic structure of a protein & parts of an amino acid 7:47 Amino acids, dipeptides, peptides, polypeptides, and proteins 9:20 Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary protein structure 16:16 Denaturation of proteins 22:41 Protein digestion in the stomach and intestines 28:36 Essential vs. Non-essential amino acids 30:34 Transamination 33:02 Conditionally essential amino acids 36:27 What is the RDA for protein and how was it set? 43:43 Eating 0.5 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight 44:50 Eating 0.75 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight 47:12 Protein quality and limiting amino acids 51:43 Vegan/vegetarian diets 55:10 BCAA Supplements 58:01 Eating 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight 1:04:03 Why protein needs are higher when in a calorie deficit 1:05:49 Protein timing (8 small meals vs. Intermittent fasting) 1:11:24 Study: "The anabolic response to protein ingestion during recovery from exercise has no upper limit in magnitude and duration in vivo in humans" 1:16:24 Rabbit poisoning (overconsumption of protein) 1:20:16 Protein intake guidelines for growing children

    If you are enjoying the things you learn in this episode, there are some terrific zero cost ways to support! Please, like or comment on this episode on YouTube, leave a review for the show on Apple or Spotify, and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. These small efforts really do help this show to reach more viewers who may be interested in it. You can also share this episode or the show with someone who might enjoy it.

    If you have any questions or content suggestions, please leave them in my comment section on YouTube. I do read all the comments.

    For coaching or business inquiries: benpresslercoaching@gmail.com

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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • How I Took My Powerlifting Total from 1275 to 1355 | Episode 12
    Nov 24 2025

    Last week I competed in my second powerlifting meet and made this episode to share some of my training and competition techniques that helped me add 80 pounds to my total in 5 months. If you are new to powerlifting and want to get a foundational understanding of the lifts and the sport, I would refer you to episode 6, which is where I discuss my first powerlifting meet. Expect to learn about the function of a powerlifting peak week, what reverse pyramid training is, powerlifter nutrition, and more.

    2:46 Rules of this powerlifting meet (non-federation) 6:49 Purpose of powerlifting Peak Week 10:32 Comparing my Peak Week from June vs. November 27:12 How much I lifted at the meet 31:07 How I improved my squat strength 43:32 How I improved my bench press strength 54:08 How I improved my deadlift strength 1:09:24 Powerlifting nutrition: making weight, carb intake 1:20:11 Misconceptions about caffeine, how much to take 1:27:48 Other tips I have

    If you are enjoying the things you learn in this episode, there are some terrific zero cost ways to support! Please, like or comment on this episode on YouTube, leave a review for the show on Apple or Spotify, and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. These small efforts really do help this show to reach more viewers who may be interested in it. You can also share this episode or the show with someone who might enjoy it.

    If you have any questions or content suggestions, please leave them in my comment section on YouTube. I do read all the comments.

    For coaching or business inquiries: benpresslercoaching@gmail.com

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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Nutrition 101: Carbohydrates and Alcohol | Episode 11
    Nov 7 2025

    Today's episode is the first part a "Nutrition 101" mini series. In this episode we discuss carbohydrates and alcohol. In future episodes we will discuss protein, fats, vitamin, minerals, etc. In todays episode you can expect to learn about the basic chemical structure of carbohydrates (including sugars, starches, and fiber), non-nutritive sweeteners, different levels of carbohydrate intake, the benefits of fiber, and why alcohol damages the human body.

    2:33 What is a carbohydrate?

    8:38 Saccharides: The basic units of carbohydrate molecules

    14:26 Alpha and beta bonds

    17:25 1-4 and 1-6 bonds

    21:45 Types of dietary fiber

    25:43 Non-nutritive sweeteners

    37:24 Are artificial sweeteners safe?

    49:15 Levels of carbohydrate intake

    55:21 Benefits of eating dietary fiber

    1:01:00 Why can Cheerios lower cholesterol?

    1:05:55 Excessive carbohydrate consumption

    1:11:16 Carbohydrate intake for athletes

    1:17:10 Dietary vs. other types of alcohol

    1:19:05 Why is alcohol "poisonous" to the body?

    1:29:03 Myths about why alcohol might be good for you

    1:33:06 If carbs are the most efficient fuel source, why does our body metabolize alcohol first?

    If you are enjoying the things you learn in this episode, there are some terrific zero cost ways to support! Please, like or comment on this episode on YouTube, leave a review for the show on Apple or Spotify, and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. These small efforts really do help this show to reach more viewers who may be interested in it. You can also share this episode or the show with someone who might enjoy it.

    If you have any questions or content suggestions, please leave them in my comment section on YouTube. I do read all the comments.

    For coaching or business inquiries: benpresslercoaching@gmail.com

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 39 mins
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