30 Days Across Canada: A Study on Endurance and Energy Expenditure

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In episode #187 we had a FIRST for the NR podcast: three guests, including one researcher and the two subjects of her study. Dr. Sarah Purcell dives into her study looking at two endurance cyclists - Leanna Carriere and Dr. Timm Döbert - and their adventure crossing Canada on their bikes. Join us for a fascinating exploration into the physical and ecological worlds, featuring unique insights from athletes, scientists, and explorers. This episode reveals the incredible energy demands of long-distance cycling on a plant-based diet, the science of bird migration, and the journey behind an epic cross-Canada ride.

KEY TOPICS

• The science of energy expenditure in humans and animals, and how it intersects with endurance training and diet.
• The design and experiences of a 30-day, 4,300 km cycle across Canada, focusing on plant-based nutrition and physiological data collection.
• Practical tips for ultra-endurance athletes on nutrition, sleep, mental resilience, as well as maintaining body composition during sustained endurance efforts.

Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

• Dr. Sarah Purcell is an Assistant Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia. Her research lab focuses on leveraging energy balance concepts to inform evidence-based nutrition strategies. Specifically, her lab’s work aims to: Utilize energy expenditure data to better define energy requirements and their determinants; Investigate how factors like weight loss, exercise, and ovarian sex hormones affect appetite, energy intake, and energy expenditure; and Translate research on energy expenditure into practice. Her laboratory employs a variety of advanced techniques to assess multiple aspects of energy balance, including doubly labeled water, body composition analysis, hormonal regulators of appetite, and diverse dietary intake measurement methods.
• Timm Döbert holds a PhD in Global Change Ecology. He is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Explorers Club, and the Scientific Exploration Society. His research focuses on the human footprint on nature from tropical to temperate ecosystems. in 2024, he cycled coast-to-coast across Canada from Halifax to Vancouver. 
• Leanna Carriere is a Canadian endurance athlete, strength coach, and health advocate. A former international pole vaulter and Canada’s first female decathlete, she has transitioned into ultra-endurance sport, completing Ironman triathlons and other long-distance events. Her work focuses on performance, resilience, and women’s health, blending evidence-based training with real-world challenges. She completed a cross-Canada cycling expedition with Timm Döbert and is co-founder of 7 Summits Snacks and the Wings of Survival initiative, using sport to promote environmental awareness and human health. 

FREE RESOURCES:

• Carb Loading Guide: https://mailchi.mp/nutritional-revolution/free-carb-loading-guide
• Carbs for Racing Cheat Sheet: https://mailchi.mp/nutritional-revolution/carbs-for-racing

FOLLOW SARAH, LEANNA AND TIMM:

• Dr. Sarah Purcell: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=y9UbOVwAAAAJ&hl=en
• Leanna Carriere: https://www.instagram.com/leannacarriere/
• Timm Döbert: www.instagram.com/sportecologist 

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