How to: Fitness

Recovery is one of the most talked-about parts of fitness, yet also one of the most misunderstood. We hear about ice baths, boots, red lights, cryotherapy and gadgets everywhere but very little about how recovery actually works for real people.
In this episode, we break down what recovery really means, how to set realistic expectations and why the “boring” basics often matter more than the expensive tools. We explore popular recovery methods like compression boots, cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared saunas and massage guns and explain who they may help, who they won’t and why context matters so much.
This episode is for anyone who trains, feels tired, sore, or stuck, and wants to recover better without falling for hype. Whether you’re a recreational lifter, endurance athlete, or just trying to feel better in your body, this conversation will help you rethink recovery in a way that actually fits your life.
🎗️ Timestamps:
00:20 Introduction
02:37 Why Recovery Expectations Matter
05:44 Setting Realistic Recovery Expectations
13:20 How We Actually Recover (The Basics)
13:20 Compression Boots & Cryotherapy
22:24 Red Light Therapy Explained
24:39 Why Pro Athletes Recover Differently
26:25 Infrared Sauna: Helpful or Hype?
30:52 Massage Guns: Is It Helpful At All?
35:00 When Recovery Becomes a Priority & How Michael Approaches Recovery
40:28 Practical Takeaways About Recovery
📒 Resources Mentioned:
🔗 Cold water immersion impact on muscle/strength gains:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33146851/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4594298/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11235606/
🔗 Cold water immersion impact on brown fat:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35837014/
🔗 Cold water immersion on mood:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11778651/ 
🔗 A post-exercise infrared sauna session improves recovery of neuromuscular performance and muscle soreness after resistance exercise training
🔗 The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery
🔗  Effects of lower-limb intermittent pneumatic compression on sports recovery
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🟡 Questions & Suggestions
We love hearing from you, if you have a question, a topic idea, or feedback on an episode, just click here
🟡 How to: Fitness
Instagram: @howtofitnesspod
🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt
🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition
Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

Is there really such a thing as a “superfood,” or are they just another status symbol when it comes to the wellness world?
In this newest episode of Season 4, let's explore where superfoods came from, why science doesn’t actually recognize the term, and how food marketing came in and filled the gap. This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by nutrition trends, confused by wellness marketing, or pressured to buy the newest “healthy” products. We talk through the history of superfoods, the reductionist trap of isolating nutrients, and why food doesn’t work like a drug. Oh, we also explore why some foods affect people differently through nutrigenomics and epigenetics.
🎗️ Timestamps:
00:00 Season 4 Introduction
02:53 Reintroducing The Hosts & What Season 4 Will Explore
08:23 What Are “Superfoods”, Who Coined The Term & Why It’s Not A Scientific Category
14:10 The History Of Superfoods
22:52 The Rise Of Superfood Eras & Trend Cycles (Including ORAC Scores)
35:14 Nutrigenomics: Why Food Affects People Differently & Popular Examples
42:18 What We Should Consider Superfoods Instead
47:05 Final Takeaways: How To Eat Well Without Superfood Hype
📒 Resources Mentioned:
Superfoods
🔗 Superfood 'ban' comes into effect
🔗 Superfoods or Superhype?
📃 Risk factors for lung cancer and for intervention effects in CARET, the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial
📃 Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases
📃 Environmental and social consequences of the increase in the demand for ‘superfoods’ world-wide
📃 Priority Micronutrient Density in Foods
Epigenetics
📃 Epigenetic diet: impact on the epigenome and cancer
📃 Epigenetics in Adipose Tissue, Obesity, Weight Loss, and Diabetes
📃 Epigenetic linkage o
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🟡 Questions & Suggestions
We love hearing from you, if you have a question, a topic idea, or feedback on an episode, just click here
🟡 How to: Fitness
Instagram: @howtofitnesspod
🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt
🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition
Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

Why is everyone talking about fiber right now and is Fibermaxxing actually a new phenomenon or just another trendy word for something we should already be doing?
In this Walk n’ Talk series, we break down the rise of “fibermaxxing” and the real benefits (and risks) of dramatically increasing your fiber intake. Kate and Michael share the science, the nuance and the awkward gut truths that don’t make it into TikTok. From digestive health and disease prevention to bloating and balance, we explore what happens when fiber becomes the main event on your plate and how to do it right.
This episode is for anyone who’s curious about fiber, trying to eat better or confused by the latest wellness advice online. Come take a walk with us.
🎗️ Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:26 What Is Fibermaxxing?
03:24 What Is Fiber & Are We Meeting Our Needs?
05:55 Why You Can’t Overdo Fiber Overnight
07:45 Fiber vs Protein: Why Both Matter
09:33 What To Do If You Increase Fiber Intake

📒  Resources Mentioned:
📄  Dietary Guidelines For Americans
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Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.
🟡 Questions & Suggestions
We love hearing from you, if you have a question, a topic idea, or feedback on an episode, just click here
🟡 How to: Fitness
Instagram: @howtofitnesspod
🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt
🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition
Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

Do you think your protein powder is secretly harming you? In this quick Walk n’ Talk Bonus episode, we talked about the recent headlines about lead in supplements and separate the fear-mongering from the facts.
We broke down what the Consumer Report article got right, what it exaggerated, and how to be a safe and intentional consumer of both supplements…and information. This episode is perfect if you're a fan of protein powders or other supplements and you want clarity on safety without falling for scare tactics.
🎗️ Timestamps:
0:00 Intro & Welcome to Walk and Talk Series
1:10 Topic Overview: Lead in Supplements & Consumer Report
3:40 What the Report Got Right vs. Overblown Claims
6:56 Tips for Safe, Moderate & Conscious Supplement Use
9:52 Key Takeaways & Outro

📒  Resources Mentioned:
📄  Lead toxicity from Ayurvedic medicines
📄   Heavy metal contamination of prenatal vitamins
🔗   Supplement Roulette by Dr. Jen Gunter
🔗  Toxic chemicals and environmental contaminants in prenatal vitamins
💛 STAY CONNECTED
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.
🟡 Questions & Suggestions
We love hearing from you, if you have a question, a topic idea, or feedback on an episode, just click here
🟡 How to: Fitness
Instagram: @howtofitnesspod
🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt
🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition
Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

Do cold plunges really work or are they just another wellness trend? This trend has taken the internet by storm but what does science actually say?
In this episode, Michael dives deep into the research on cold plunges. We explore their history, the benefits (and myths) around recovery, inflammation, mood, sleep, and fat loss and where the evidence is still shaky. You will learn what cold plunges actually do for your body and what’s just clever marketing.
So if you are curious about trying cold plunges or if you are an athlete wondering if ice baths really help, this science-backed episode about cold water immersion is for you.
🎗️ Timestamps:
05:52 Introduction to Cold Plunges
09:53 History of Cold Water Therapy
13:13 Cold Plunge Claims Vs. Research and Lack of Research Diversity
16:36 Do Cold Plunges Help Muscle Recovery?
20:22 Cold Plunges And Athletic Performance
23:30 Cold Plunges For Inflammation & Immunity
25:54 Can Cold Plunges Support Fat Loss?
29:35 Cold Plunges For Mental Health & Mood
30:36 Do Cold Plunges Improve Sleep?
36:00 Do Men And Women Respond Differently To Cold Plunges?
37:24 Final Thoughts & Takeaways
📒 Resources Mentioned:
📄 Sex difference in cold perception and shivering onset upon gradual cold exposure
📄 Cold water immersion impact on muscle and strength gains:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33146851/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4594298/?utm
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11235606/?utm
📄 Cold water immersion impact on brown fat:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35837014/
📄 Cold water immersion on mood:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11778651/
💛 STAY CONNECTED
Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.
🟡 Questions & Suggestions
We love hearing from you, if you have a question, a topic idea, or feedback on an episode, just click here
🟡 How to: Fitness
Instagram: @howtofitnesspod
🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt
🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition
Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!