Summer is officially here, and with it comes hot, humid miles that can make your runs feel significantly more challenging. Whether you are ramping up training for a fall marathon (like Stevie’s upcoming Philly full in November!) or keeping active with local summer races, staying safely fueled and hydrated in the heat requires a distinct strategy.

In this solo episode, registered sports dietitian and triathlon coach Stevie Lyn Smith breaks down the exact physiological changes that happen to your body when temperatures rise.

Learn why your gut throws a tantrum on hot days, how the heat forces you to burn through your fuel reserves up to 20% faster, and actionable strategies to fix your hydration plan before you hit the wall.

Tune to learn more about:

• The physiology of "runner’s stomach" in the heat
• The accelerated glycogen burn
• Unintentional underfueling in the summer
• Pre-run hydration framework: A simple blueprint for starting your runs hydrated
• How muscle cramping might be a carb problem
• How to identify if you're a salty sweater
• Dew point vs. humidity & external cooling
• Osmolality 101
• And more!

Episode Partners & Discounts

• Tailwind Nutrition: Get 20% off your first order of Tailwind Endurance Fuel (including their seasonal Blueberry Lemon flavor or the ultra-light Naked flavor!) by visiting TailwindNutrition.com and entering code RealFuel20 at checkout.
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What happens when you combine the clinical expertise of a registered dietitian with the comprehensive training of a board-certified family medicine physician? You get a powerful, preventative approach to healthcare that looks at the whole person.

In this episode of Real Fuel with SLS, Stevie Lyn Smith catches up with longtime college friend and colleague, Dr. Alex Ford, DO, RD. Dr. Ford shares his unique journey from studying dietetics at Buffalo State to navigating the rigorous world of medical school, serving as Chief Resident at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, and earning a spot on Albany’s 40 Under 40 list. They dive deep into the gaps in traditional medical education regarding nutrition, the rise of GLP-1 medications, and how to champion true, preventive lifestyle medicine.

In this episode they chat more about:

• The anatomy of whole-person care
• GLP-1s as tools as part of lifestyle medicine
• The foundational pillars for every human looking to improve health
• Dr. Ford's career path and education
• Making nutrition information digestible and easy for individuals to apply to their lives
• The reality of nutrition education in medical school (or lack thereof)
• And so much more!

Stay Connected:

• Stay up to date with Dr. Ford: https://www.dralexford.com/
• Connect with Dr. Ford at info@neotritionbrands.com, for general questions
• Follow Stevie on Instagram: @stevielynlyn
• Join Stevie’s newsletter: Stevie Lyn Nutrition newsletter

Learn more about Dr. Alex Ford:

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more athletes and health-conscious individuals find the show!

On this episode of Real Fuel with SLS, I am joined by professional runner, American record holder, and mother of two, Keira D'Amato. Fresh off the release of her new book, Don't Call It a Comeback, Keira opens up about her recent major surgery and her intentional, conservative approach to rehabilitation.

Keira pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to realize you’ve been living and training in constant pain, how her body learned to compensate over a five-year period, and why she is viewing this three-month reset as a beautiful opportunity to correct imbalances. From the hilariously relatable logistics of waist-deep pool running in running shoes to coaching her daughter's Girls on the Run team, Keira shares how she is finding joy in the current phase of her journey while keeping her eyes locked squarely on the 2028 Olympic Trials.

We also chat more about:

• Building a community as a runner
• Addressing imbalances to improve sport performance
• Patience over pressure during her return to sport
• Using pool running and other modalities in her post-surgery recovery
• Finding the silver linings during time away from regular training
• And so much more!

Stay Connected:

• Follow Keira on Instagram: @keiradamato
• Buy Keira's book Don't Call it a Comeback
• Follow Stevie on Instagram: @stevielynlyn
• Join Stevie’s newsletter: Stevie Lyn Nutrition newsletter