Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast WHOOP Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Optimize Nutrition with Registered Sports Dietician, Angie Asche | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:57:00 | |
On this month's edition of the WHOOP Podcast How To Series, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with Registered Sports Dietician, Angie Asche to explore what it really means to fuel for performance as an athlete. Angie has worked with a variety of professional athletes in the MLB, NHL and more, optimizing their nutrition habits to perform at their peak. Angie outlines the importance of prioritizing the three macronutrients – carbohydrates, proteins, and fats – and how to ensure you’re getting the right amount of each. This episode dives into why the timing of meals is so important, explaining the impacts nutrition has on sleep and recovery. Angie and Dr. Holmes unpack the fine line between aesthetics and performance and how under-fueling affects both male and female athletes. (00:50) WHOOP Rapid Fire Q’s (01:50) Prioritizing Macronutrients As An Athlete (03:17) Under Fueling: Balancing Aesthetics and Performance (05:11) Common Symptoms of Under Fueling (06:58) Impact of Under Fuelling On Sleep and Recovery (07:42) Fasting’s Impact on Performance (09:42) Importance of Nutrient Timing (12:24) Late-Night Eating: How Does It Impact Sleep and Recovery? (15:39) Food Sensitivity Tests: Are They Worth The Hype? (19:02) Knowing Inflammation: Chronic Versus Acute (23:47) Do You Need To Supplement Nutrients As An Athlete? (27:16) Supplement Absorption and Daily Nutrition (32:35) Benefits of Prebiotics & Probiotics (33:57) Why Your Body Needs Fiber & Where To Get It (35:07) How To Track Macros (38:46) Intuitive Eating: What Your Body Needs & When (40:48) Long-Term Effects of Under Fueling (41:46) The Nutrients Many Female Athletes Are Missing (44:51) Nourishment Over Numbers: Changing Mindsets On Restrictive Eating (49:30) Metabolic Health: The Nutrients To Improve Your Metabolism Follow Angie Asche: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Improving Sleep Performance For You and Your Family with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:51:31 | |
On this week’s episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP SVP of Research, Algorithms, and Data Emily Capodilupo sits down with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, physician and certified sleep specialist, to discuss the importance of sleep training from infancy to adulthood. Dr. Holliday-Bell explains how building consistent sleep habits supports long-term health by reducing risks like cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and depression, while also improving daily energy, focus, and creativity. Dr. Holliday-Bell shares her insights from her own experience sleep training her infant and breaks down the variety of methods parents can use to help their children sleep through the night. Emily and Dr. Holliday-Bell discuss the need for setting solid sleep routines for your toddler, teen, and evolving with these habits as your children grow up. Ultimately, Dr. Holliday-Bell reveals the key to supporting your child’s sleep is supporting your own. (00:54) Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell’s Background and Intro (03:18) WHOOP Rapid Fire Q’s (04:03) Importance of Regulating Your Own Sleep to Help Your Child (05:42) How You Sleep As A Child Impacts Your Sleep As An Adult (06:31) Skills & Behaviors You Need For Your Child’s Sleep Routine (09:36) The Three Habits To Try Before Seeking Help From Your Pediatrician (10:30) Life Through Sleep Stages: Newborn, Infancy, and Adulthood (15:52) How To Sleep Train Your Toddler (17:22) Importance of Whole Family Sleep Hygiene (20:30) Common Misconceptions About Sleep and Sleep Training (30:50) What To Look For In A Sleep Specialist (33:50) Sleep For Teens: How To Ensure Your Teen Is Sleeping Effectively (36:58) Sleep Patterns and Puberty: How Parents Can Help? (42:40) How To Reduce Sleep Deprivation (47:55) Wearables and Sleep Tracking for Parents & Kids (49:15) Dr. Holliday-Bell’s Message For Kids, Teens, & Parents Follow Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Understand, Optimize, and Regulate Your Hormones During Menopause with Dr. Mariza Snyder | 17 Sep 2025 | 01:29:06 | |
This week on the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with women’s health expert Dr. Mariza Snyder. Dr. Snyder and Dr. Holmes break down some common misconceptions in peri-menopause and menopause care, and share actionable tools and insights to regain control of your hormones. Dr. Snyder shares her personal journey navigating perimenopause, the warning signs to watch for, and how tracking data with WHOOP can empower women to better understand their bodies. This episode covers everything from cycle tracking and lifestyle habits that can reduce symptoms, to the role of exercise and nutrition, and the impact of alcohol and stress hormones like cortisol. Learn the practical routines for building a symptom-free lifestyle and the baseline knowledge every woman should have by age 30. (00:21) Dr. Snyder’s Personal Relationship with Perimenopause and Menopause (03:17) The Warning Signs of Perimenopause (08:21) Role of Data in Understanding Your Body (11:51) Navigating The Healthcare System: Advocating for Perimenopause Treatment (17:31) Finding Solutions to Perimenopause Symptoms (19:15) Starting the Conversation Around Perimenopause Symptoms With Your Partner (22:33) Cycle Tracking: Seeing The Early Signs of Perimenopause (28:34) Easing Symptoms: Incremental Lifestyle Habits To Feel Your Best (36:17) Parenting the Next Generation: Healthy Habits and PCOS Management (42:47) Cortisol-Awakening Response: What Is It and How Can You Test For It? (49:56) Exercise’s Role In Symptom Management (01:00:31) Baseline Knowledge For Every Woman To Know By 30 (01:04:04) Daily Routines For A Symptom-Free Lifestyle (01:10:03) WHOOP Podcast Rapid Fire Q’s (01:11:22) Hormones, Birth Control, & HRT (01:16:12) How Alcohol Is Altering Hormones During Perimenopause (01:27:06) Dr. Snyder’s Perimenopause Revolution Follow Dr. Mariza Snyder: The Perimenopause Revolution & Books Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Year in Review: Unpacking 2023's Health and Wellness Trends | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:34:09 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by WHOOP SVP of Data Science and Research, Emily Capodilupo. The pair are talking all things Year in Review for 2023. Take a deep dive into the data from WHOOP members across the globe, and learn how you can unlock your human performance. Will and Emily will discuss the year at large at WHOOP (1:55), the top trending activities in the WHOOP Community (6:45), the top Strength Trainer exercises (15:05), the top questions asked to WHOOP Coach (16:01), WHOOP members committing to Recovery (16:13), journal behaviors on the rise in 2023 (24:17), sex trends across the WHOOP Community (28:48), and how stress impacted WHOOP members throughout 2023 (30:17). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| How to Regulate Your Nervous System with Dr. Jay Wiles | 06 Dec 2023 | 00:58:47 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Jay Wiles. Dr. Jay is a clinical health psychologist, currently working as the Health Behavior Coordinator at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC and the Greenville Outpatient VA Clinic. He also shares his insight and tips on his podcast titled, Mindhacker’s Radio. Kristen and Jay will discuss how mental health impacts the autonomic nervous system (6:08), how stress influences HRV (11:50), behaviors enabling the balance of the nervous system (18:00), the relationship perspective (24:45), controlling your own nervous system (29:23), self-regulation techniques (35:24), residence frequency breathing (44:18), the power of mitochondria (46:52), and Jay’s hormesis research (52:04). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The 7 Day Sleep Remedy with Dr. Aric Prather | 29 Nov 2023 | 01:00:02 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Aric Prather. Aric is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. He co-directs the UCSF Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center, is the Interim Director for the UCSF Center for Health and Community, and serves as a clinician at the UCSF Insomnia Clinic. He is also the author of The Sleep Prescription, a book that offers a simple yet powerful plan to improve your sleep in seven days. Kristen and Aric will discuss the AME Research Center (2:39), sleep impacting immune function (5:37), the connection between sleep and metabolic health (13:13), restrictive eating windows and sleep (19:51), The Sleep Prescription (25:25), labeling the worry (37:38), debunking sleep myths (42:11). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Melissa Urban: How to Show Up Authentically During the Holidays | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:55:18 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by the Co-Founder and CEO of Whole30, Melissa Urban. Melissa is here to help us Hack the Holidays. As the holiday season ramps up, we thought we would give you some tips on staying balanced with your health and wellness throughout the festivities. Kristen and Melissa will discuss managing alcohol consumption (3:48), keeping your nutritional habits balanced (13:05), dealing with the thought of overindulging (16:49), common issues people run into during the holidays (18:23), commenting on someone’s body (21:41), making your plate at parties (23:25), having a plan for social gatherings (26:02), sleep and circadian health (28:19), the importance of downtime and saying no (34:53), educating family and friends on your personality type (38:05), exercising during the holidays (42:41), dealing with stress (45:38), seeing others performing destructive behaviors (51:25). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| On Tour With Zedd: How the World-Renowned DJ Stays in the Green | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:52:23 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by DJ, record producer, and songwriter Zedd. The Grammy award-winning and platinum artist has had multiple records hit number one on the Billboard Top 100 and has made music with superstars like Justin Bieber, Maren Morris, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, and more. Not only is he a musical sensation, he is incredibly obsessed with his health and wellness and has been a WHOOP member for a number of years. Will and Zedd discuss why he decided to commit to a health and wellness journey (2:14), becoming an artist and producer (7:01), working with Lady Gaga (10:20), making music for himself vs. his fans (14:45), creating a song (19:20), collaborating with the biggest artists in the world (23:24), making his health and fitness a priority (27:34), his WHOOP data (29:51), diet and recovery habits (32:41), paying attention to his heart rate and nerves (39:17), and how AI is impacting the music and technology industries (42:04). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Being All In: What it Takes to Avoid Quitting with Army Ranger Lisa Jaster | 08 Nov 2023 | 00:58:03 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Army Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Jaster is a soldier, an engineer, a wife and mother, and a trailblazer. One of only three women to graduate from the first integrated United States Army Ranger program. Lisa is also the author of Delete the Adjective, where she details her time in Ranger School and how “there is no quitting.” Kristen and Lisa will discuss taking the risk of Ranger School (3:45), signing up for Ranger School (7:40), life in Army Ranger School (11:08), when Lisa felt her most vulnerable (16:44), females in the military (20:34), the power of shedding labels (23:36), applying lessons from Ranger School to everyday life (25:52), takeaways from Lisa’s book (30:26), how Lisa uses WHOOP (34:38), doing the hard things in life (40:45), developing the mentality to accomplish difficult goals (45:45), advice to your women (48:36), and what Lisa is obsessing over (53:10). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Mental Toughness: Endurance and Grit Tips from Elite Performance Coach Rachel Vickery | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:54:10 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Rachel Vickery. Rachel works with high performers in professional and elite sport, corporate and elite military who need to do big and difficult things where the stakes are high and the impact is significant for many. Now she is working as a High-Performance Consultant optimizing the physiological stress response so good people can execute when it matters and sustain long careers in these environments. Kristen and Rachel will discuss getting introduced to pressure (2:35), developing interoception (10:54), creating coaching moments through ice baths (14:10), entering the arousal state (17:45), cold therapy as a training and awareness piece (24:33), being in the moment vs natural arousal states (32:10), preparing for the arena as a high performer (38:46), breathing mechanics and performance (43:45), and setting yourself up for success (45:15). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The Ultimate Guide to Relationships, Sex, and Dating with Dr. Alexandra Solomon | 25 Oct 2023 | 01:02:17 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Alexandra Solomon. A couples therapist, speaker, author, and professor, Dr. Solomon is passionate about translating cutting-edge research and clinical wisdom into practical tools people can use to bring awareness, curiosity, and authenticity to their relationships. Kristen and Alexandra will discuss the definition of relational self-awareness (3:40), tactics for the service archetype (9:25), approaching conversations to reimagine boundaries (13:18), the energy of love vs the energy of fear (16:53), getting back into the dating pool (24:12), being in a good state of mind for a first date (27:15), dating apps (33:20), learning about relationships and intimacy (36:55), the biggest problem in relationships (42:15), Alexandra’s latest book LOVE EVERY DAY (51:25), and sex in the dating world and in relationships (53:27). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| How to Train Like an NBA Champion with Felipe Eichenberger | 18 Oct 2023 | 00:47:01 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by NBA Champion Felipe Eichenberger. Fresh off his championship-winning season as the Denver Nuggets Director of Performance and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Felipe is here to talk about how he helped some of the best players on the planet, including the league’s MVP, stay healthy throughout a grueling NBA title run. Will and Felipe will discuss how Felipe developed a passion for health and fitness (3:00), the power of consistency within the Nuggets’ organization (4:45), training Nikola Jokic (6:05), his role within the team (8:40), using WHOOP to train players (11:23), how Felipe uses WHOOP in his own life (13:50), players going out during the season (16:20), rehabbing injuries (19:44), meditation, visualization and breathing (22:32), recovery modalities (28:35), training at altitude in Denver (32:57), keeping players active and involved (36:28), Felipe’s impression of the Miami Heat (39:48), and his personal fitness motivation (42:40). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Steven Bartlett: The Secrets to Success in Life and in Business | 11 Oct 2023 | 01:04:07 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO, Will Ahmed is joined by entrepreneur and innovator, Steven Bartlett. Steven is also a speaker, investor, author and the host of UK's No.1 podcast, The Diary of a CEO. He also joined the BBC's hit TV show Dragons’ Den, the UK version of Shark Tank, as the youngest-ever Dragon in the show’s history. Steven just released his second book, 'The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life' in which he shares his learnings having interviewed some of the world's leading experts, celebrities, and business professionals. Will and Steven discuss how Steven has viewed himself throughout his career (3:08), how he got started investing (6:55), Steven’s role as a founder vs a CEO (12:01), where Steven derives his learnings from (18:35), his personal mission (21:20), constantly evolving with a growth mindset (24:15), the benefits of bias in a CEO (25:20), a risk that paid off (28:16), what keeps leaders up at night (30:10), feeling like an underdog and the power of experimentation (33:05), interviewers that Steven admirers (40:30), his new book, Diary of a CEO (44:45), and how Steven prioritizes his health (53:17). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The Connection Between Pleasure, Performance, and Recovery with Sexologist Chantelle Otten | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:53:43 | |
This week on the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes, sits down with Chantelle Otten, world-renowned psycho-sexologist, author, and advocate for evidence-based conversations around sexual wellbeing, mental health, and relationships. Chantelle and Dr. Holmes break the taboo around sex in this episode, promoting a more holistic view of sexual health, highlighting the importance of intimacy, desire, and emotional regulation. This episode combines the importance of data and self-awareness, using tools like WHOOP, to support stress management and sleep, and how they contribute to confidence, connection, and satisfaction in and out of the bedroom. 00:27 Chantelle Otten: Psycho-sexology and Why It’s Important 07:00 WHOOP Podcast Rapid Fire Q’s 08:20 Importance of Stress and Sleep Management on Your Sexual Health 11:30 Unlocking Your Sex Life 15:19 Best Practices to Self-Audit: How to Stay Grounded 21:21 How to Detect Red Flags In Your Environment 24:27 Best Ways To Facilitate Conversations With An Intimate Partner 28:36 Creating Safety in Intimacy 29:28 Peri-Menopause and Menopause’s Effect on Relationships 37:36 Navigating Performance Pressure 45:53 The Rules of Curiosity: Responsive and Spontaneous Desire 51:23 The Two Key Takeaways That Will Change Your Sex Life Follow Chantelle Otten: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Taking Your Sleep to the Next Level with Dr. Allison Brager | 04 Oct 2023 | 00:38:35 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Allison Brager. She is a neurobiologist with expertise in sleep and circadian rhythms who works to examine the mind and body’s resilience to extreme environmental stress. Kristen and Allison will discuss misconceptions about sleep trends (2:35), ideal sleeping conditions (6:12), the relationship between light and melatonin (10:35), manipulating our circadian rhythm (12:40), sleep consistency (16:55), circadian rhythms and the metabolic system (23:10), behaviors that can disrupt sleep onset (28:42), and how naps impact sleep patterns (35:40). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Meet WHOOP Coach: The Most Personalized AI-Powered Performance Coach | 27 Sep 2023 | 00:29:20 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed and WHOOP CTO Jaime Waydo are highlighting one of our most innovative features to date – WHOOP Coach. WHOOP Coach delivers an incredibly personalized, incredibly specific performance coaching experience thanks to the latest in generative AI. Will and Jaime will discuss what the WHOOP Coach is (2:47), our partnership with OpenAI (4:15), the key use cases of WHOOP Coach (5:45), how WHOOP Coach is an educational tool (13:00), WHOOP Coach as a membership support tool (15:35), providing insight into the unknown (16:50), data retention and privacy (19:05), the vision of a 24/7 performance coach (21:55), and the technical terms and definitions around Artificial Intelligence (25:10). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Maximizing Your Training Outside of the Gym with Todd Anderson | 20 Sep 2023 | 01:11:41 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Todd Anderson. Todd is the founder of Dream Recovery, the co-founder of Synergy Dryland, a training program for world-class swimmers, as well as the co-founder of the Rideout Strong marathon training program. He holds over a dozen certifications in Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, and Performance. Kristen and Todd will discuss Todd’s passion for sport and performance (3:15), becoming a walk-on at Michigan State (8:45), training athletes with injuries (13:25), using data to contextualize how you feel (15:20), incorporating sleep and recovery into training programs (18:25), breathwork and breathing protocols (24:42), the impact of mouth tape on performance (27:48), staying motivated while changing behaviors (31:28), the opportunities for sleep studies and research (34:26), recovery meeting preparation (45:50), sauna and cold plunge (48:40), how Todd thinks about nutrition (54:35), and Todd’s training nonnegotiables (59:28). Resources: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Daily Tips and Tricks to Boost Your HRV with Emily Capodilupo | 13 Sep 2023 | 00:58:11 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by SVP of Data Science & Research Emily Capodilupo to talk about all things Heart Rate Variability. HRV is one of the key signs of fitness and how well your body is ready to perform on any given day. Kristen and Emily will discuss what HRV is (2:15), how WHOOP measures HRV (5:15), adaptive behaviors to help HRV rebound (11:45), how HRV is a personalized metric (17:40), menstruation and pregnancy impacting HRV (21:12), HRV and sleep (27:30), the WHOOP Core4 Challenge (33:47), and listener questions on HRV (49:15). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Finding a Purpose Through Endurance Sports with Ken Rideout | 30 Aug 2023 | 00:54:55 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by one of the world’s top masters runners, Ken Rideout. Ken has been crowned the “World’s Best Marathoner Over 50” by the New York Times. In addition to his running accolades, Ken is known for sharing his story about overcoming opioid addiction. Kristen and Ken will discuss Ken’s backstory and life growing up (3:35), moving to New York and starting in finance (10:40), Ken’s struggle with addiction and seeking help (17:00), seeking extreme experiences as a high (23:35), running the Gobi March in Mongolia (27:30), the power of showing up (38:55), nutrition and hydration practices for maintaining high strains (45:20), running the 6 major marathons (46:35), and what Ken is obsessing over (51:05). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Jason Kander: A Story of Service, Mental Health, PTSD, and Recovery | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:59:24 | |
On this week’s episode, Will Ahmed, the Founder and CEO of WHOOP, is joined by former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander. Before being elected Secretary of State in 2012, he was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. Jason is also a veteran of the United States Army achieving the rank of Captain during his service as a military intelligence officer in Afghanistan. Will and Jason will discuss Jason’s decision to join the military (3:12), life in Afghanistan (5:10), Jason’s daily routine in the service (13:25), dealing with and talking about PTSD (15:50), what led him to take the first step and get help (25:10), dealing with suicidal thoughts and therapy (30:10), using meditation (36:45), how Jason uses WHOOP (38:28), Jason’s political career and life today (46:55), and Jason’s book and podcast (56:55). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The Power of a Plant-Based Diet with Simon Hill | 16 Aug 2023 | 00:58:27 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Simon Hill. Simon is a physiotherapist, nutritionist, and author on a mission to help people make informed lifestyle choices. In 2021, he published his first book, The Proof is in the Plants, which makes a case for a plant-based, whole-food diet, drawing on all the latest nutrition research. Kristen and Simon will discuss Simon’s book and his main philosophies (3:55), tailoring diets to the individual (11:30), scientific research that helped shape Simon’s findings (13:13), the barrier for entry for various diets (19:38), the negative stigma around legumes and soy (24:23), getting enough protein (31:38), biomarkers that people might see change while dieting (41:43), dietary data from WHOOP members (46:33), how nutrition impacts sustainability and the environment (50:38). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Brad Schoenfeld: Resistance Training Tips from a Champion Bodybuilder | 09 Aug 2023 | 00:39:31 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by fitness expert Brad Schoenfeld. Brad is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities on body composition training. He is a lifetime drug-free bodybuilder and has won numerous natural bodybuilding titles. Kristen and Brad will discuss the definition of hypertrophy and resistance training as well as their benefits (2:50), getting started with resistance training (6:35), outlining a muscle-building program (8:05), the utility of a one rep max (10:42), training recommendations for different age groups (16:00), lifting cadence and recovery techniques (20:25), nutritional recommendations (25:50), adding cardio into a workout and warmup (28:15), incorporating rest in between sets (32:05), and the process of progressive overload (33:55). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| How to Master Zone 2 Training: Chris Chapman Answers Your Questions | 02 Aug 2023 | 00:47:22 | |
This week, we’re diving back into the inbox to answer questions from our listeners – thanks to everyone who has submitted questions so far. WHOOP Senior Sport Scientist Chris Chapman is here to answer your questions about the popular Zone 2 Cardio space and strength training. We had a number of questions come in after our Zone 2 Training episode with Paul Laursen, that’s Episode 222 if you haven’t listened yet. We’ve also received some great questions about strength training and our Strength Trainer product episode. That’s Episode 219 with our CTO Jaime Waydo. Chris discusses navigating strain goals and recoveries with Zone 2 (2:45), incorporating Zone 2 into marathon training (7:05), how heart rate zones differ from person to person (11:55), identifying your Zone 2 heart rate range (14:20), how heart rate zones can change over time (20:20), combining strength training and endurance training (24:00), and the difference between free weights and machines (38:00). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris: An Expert’s Guide to the Medicinal Potential of Psychedelics | 26 Jul 2023 | 00:55:05 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, a distinguished professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. He is one of the leading researchers in the study of how psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT can change the human brain and in doing so, be used to successfully treat various mental health challenges such as major depression, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and addiction. Kristen and Robin discuss the etymology of psychedelics (2:30), researching altered states and altered consciousness (6:35), recreational use of psychedelics (12:53), how attitudes around psychedelics are changing (16:00), the most promising and exciting aspects of psychedelic research (19:11), physiological markers impacted by psychedelics (24:20), the optimal time to explore psychedelic treatment (31:00), what it means to biologically “let go” (35:35), the performance-enhancing possibilities of psychedelics (39:57), legality in the U.S. (45:11), what Robin is obsessing over (50:20), and the biggest benefits of psychedelics (51:35). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Powerful Strategies To Improve Human Performance with Expert Rachel Vickery | 03 Sep 2025 | 01:17:31 | |
What separates good from great in high-pressure environments? On this episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes, sits down with Rachel Vickery, world-renowned performance consultant. Having spent decades working with elite athletes, military operators, Fortune 500 executives, and emergency physicians, Rachel has cracked the code on understanding and regulating the nervous system to ensure optimal performance when stakes are high. Dr. Holmes and Rachel explore how physiology, behavior, and mindset intersect, and why mastering the nervous system is the key to unlocking peak performance. From breathing mechanics and physiological control, to cultivating curiosity and trust under pressure, this conversation dives deep into the science and skills you need for taking on your next challenge. (00:48) Rachel Vickery on Human Performance (01:41) WHOOP Podcast Rapid Fire Q’s (02:50) Essential Breathing Techniques To Use Under Pressure (11:38) Keeping The Body and Mind Calm: What To Do and Why It's Important (15:56) Navigating Fear and Maintaining Positive Self Talk (21:04) How To Train Your Physiology To Aid a Positive Mindset (27:03) Where Data Comes Into Play: Measuring Performance Traits and Habits (34:29) Maintaining a Solid Foundation: High Performance No Matter The Occasion (50:40) Co-regulating: Maintaining Your Cool in a Team Environment (57:10) Advice For Athletes & Coaches: Easing Physiological Effects in a High Pressure Environment (01:11:25) Operating with Trust: How Does This Benefit High Performers? (01:14:57) Learning From Common Traits Relating to Performance Anxiety Follow Rachel Vickery: Related WHOOP Podcast Episodes: Podcast 245: Mental Toughness with Elite Performance Coach Rachel Vickery Podcast 319: Daily Practices to Reset Your Mind, Body, and Identity with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee Resources: Study: 'Cyclic sighing' can help breathe away anxiety Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Leading On and Off the Bike with Pro Cyclist Alison Jackson | 19 Jul 2023 | 01:03:52 | |
On this week’s episode, Jeremy Powers WHOOP Senior Sports Marketing Manager, Endurance Sports is joined by professional cyclist Alison Jackson. Alison is a female professional racing cyclist riding for team: EF-Education First-Tibco-SVB. She is a two-time and current Canadian National Road Champion, the 2021 Canadian National Champion for Time Trial, she represented Canada at the Tokyo Olympics, and back in April, she won the 2023 Paris-Roubaix Femmes. Jeremy and Alison will discuss Alison’s life growing up and finding endurance sports (3:15), winning the famous Paris-Roubaix Femmes (10:37), Alison’s passion for entertaining fans (18:20) the emotional impact of winning Paris-Roubaix Femmes (25:31), being a team leader while also being a creator (30:30), putting yourself out there on social media (35:30), Alison’s motto throughout her career (39:50), her hobbies and life outside of cycling (42:58), the Tour de France Femmes and the state of women’s cycling (47:25), how Alison deals with negativity and down days (54:15), and what Alison has learned from WHOOP (58:25). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| A Behavioral Psychologist's Tips to Identifying and Managing Stress Styles with Dr. Jemma King | 12 Jul 2023 | 01:00:40 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by behavioral psychologist Dr. Jemma King. She has a PhD in human behavior and is an emotional intelligence and performance under stress expert. Jemma is a research fellow at the University of Queensland School of Psychology and works as a specialist external advisor to McKinsey and Company. Kristen and Jemma will discuss Jemma’s work as a behavioral psychologist (2:45), defining stress types and styles (3:45), behaviors that can help mitigate stress (11:35), dealing with stress before bed and throughout the night (23:50), a study out of Oxford around moving the body forward (34:51), Jemma’s work with the Australian Special Forces (36:30), what Jemma is obsessing over at the moment (48:50), the Wim Hof Study powered by WHOOP (54:00), and the best ways to prepare yourself before a stressful event (56:20). Resources: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Listener Questions with Emily Capodilupo: HRV, Fasting, and the Impact of Vices on Performances | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:24:40 | |
This week on the WHOOP Podcast, we’re diving back into the inbox to answer questions from our listeners. From the impact of sleep on HRV, detecting mental and physical stress, time-restricted eating and fasting, to the impact of THC and alcohol on the body, we’re tackling it all with none other than SVP of Data Science & Research Emily Capodilupo. Emily breaks down the correlation between sleep and HRV (2:30), the impact of alcohol and marijuana on performance and recovery (4:45), the process of tracking nicotine usage and its effects on recovery (10:20), how to detect different types of stress with the Stress Monitor feature (13:45), and the difference between time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting (16:50). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The Gender Bias in Sport: Women's Health, Research, and the Future of Female Athletics with Christine Yu | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:58:03 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by author Christine Yu. Christine is an award-winning journalist focusing on the intersection of sports science and women athletes. Christine is here to discuss her new book UP to SPEED: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes and the state of women’s health and wellness in today’s society. Kristen and Christine will discuss Christine’s journalism career (2:55), the biggest inequities in health and athletics (5:00), areas for more women’s health research (7:40), young athletes dealing with puberty (9:50), the impact of hormonal birth control on female athletes (14:57), media coverage of women’s sports (19:05), the push for equal pay in sport (21:50), key takeaways from Christine’s book (24:30), a research study that Christine believes changed the industry (26:05), a story about the Australian National Field Hockey team and ACL injuries (33:05), Christine’s learnings across the continuum of a female athlete’s life (35:25), what women should be doing in perimenopause (42:17), an inequity Christine would improve today (46:15), and tips for women to achieve high performance (52:05). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| WNBA Star Lexie Hull on Obsession, Effort, and Her Commitment to Health & High Performance | 14 Jun 2023 | 00:49:46 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by WNBA star Lexie Hull. Before Lexie was selected 6th overall in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, she was a collegiate standout and 2021 National Champion at Stanford. During her collegiate career, she was a three-time All Pac-12 selection, and most recently, Lexie was named Defensive Player of the Year for Athletes Unlimited’s 2023 Basketball season. Kristen and Lexie will discuss Athletes Unlimited and what it means for women’s sports (3:15), Lexie’s collegiate career at Stanford (5:20), her mindset as an elite defender (7:20), going from a student-athlete to a professional (8:47), growing up competing with her twin sister Lacie (12:55), dealing with mental health (15:38), building a brand without creating distractions (17:55), how Lexie thinks about her performance data (22:00), her routine on game day (25:30), tracking her menstrual cycle on WHOOP (31:00), Lexie’s sleep tricks and habits (34:15), and her perspective on the current and future landscape of women’s sports (38:35). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Growth Mindset: Navigating the Path to Entrepreneurial Success with Matt Mullenweg | 07 Jun 2023 | 00:48:09 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by Matt Mullenweg the founder and developer of WordPress, the web platform powering over 40% of the sites on the internet. As the founder and CEO of Automattic, Matt is working to democratize publishing and commerce. Automattic is structured like a holding company, currently valued at over $7.5 billion, and is behind brands like WordPress.com, Tumblr, WooCommerce, Jetpack, Longreads and more. Will and Matt discuss how Matt started WordPress and his passion for open source software (3:05), what open source software is (9:20), creating an open ecosystem on the web (13:25), Matt’s early days as an entrepreneur trying to grow a business (17:40), the WordPress interview process (25:25), developing a growth mindset (32:20), managing stress and creating mental clarity (34:05), how Matt found WHOOP and the power of an executive coach (39:55), and Matt’s approach to a day-to-day routine (44:15). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Protein and Skeletal Muscle: The Keys to Longevity with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon | 31 May 2023 | 01:06:55 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by health expert Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. Dr. Lyon is the founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine and is a nationally recognized speaker and media contributor specializing in brain and thyroid health, lean body mass support, and longevity. Kristen and Dr. Lyon will discuss a patient’s story that unlocked Dr. Lyon’s research (3:15), where things start to go wrong for people’s health (6:35), what skeletal muscle does and the behaviors needed to build it up (11:35), the relationship between protein and skeletal muscle (13:50), how to find the right amino acids (17:20), Dr. Lyon working with patients to get proteins (21:45), fasting and eating throughout the day (26:50), getting adequate levels of protein as a vegetarian (31:25), protein and resistance training helping to prevent disease (34:25), having tough conversations about health (37:25), Dr. Lyon’s journey in writing her book (43:30), Dr. Lyon’s ideologies and practice (47:15), dealing with doubters and skeptics (53:55), talking with loved ones about health (57:40), and tips on improving muscle tissue health (1:01:25). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| From U.S. Navy Seal to World Record Holder with Mike Sarraille | 24 May 2023 | 01:09:30 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by former U.S. Navy SEAL officer Mike Sarraille. After 20 years of service, including 10 combat deployments, Mike began to focus his energy on leadership and human performance. He was a member of the Triple 7 Expedition which was a record-breaking skydiving journey that completed 7 skydives across 7 continents in 7 days. Kristen and Mike will discuss Mike’s time in the service and the transition out (3:00), dealing with mental health (12:10), his leadership learnings and mentoring others (16:25), creating a culture of high performance (25:40), Legacy Expeditions and developing the Triple 7 campaign (37:40), the Folds of Honor Foundation (49:40), the Triple 7 Expedition Team’s WHOOP data (51:05), and developing longevity and a tough mindset (1:03:18). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The Emergence and Benefits of Zone 2 Training with Paul Laursen | 17 May 2023 | 01:03:12 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by author and endurance coach Paul Laursen. Paul is the Co-Founder and CEO of HIIT Science, the Co-Founder and Head of Product for Athletica, and co-host of the Training Science Podcast. Not only has he published over 150 scientific manuscripts and had his work cited more than 15,00 times, but he’s also competed in 17 Ironman triathlons. Kristen and Paul will discuss how Paul got started training and teaching (3:05), the relationship between the cardiovascular system and the nervous system (6:15), defining the different training zones (10:50), creating a weekly program with cardio zones (25:40), staying balanced with your training (29:10), autonomic recovery and Zone 2 as an active recovery tool (31:25), how Zone 2 can be linked to hormone levels (37:33), Paul’s paper on metabolism and burning fat (41:30), the best medium for Zone 2 training (47:15), training for longevity and VO2 max (50:15), and how Paul thinks about sleep with his athletes (52:05). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| How Nasal Breathing Can Transform Your Life with James Nestor | 10 May 2023 | 00:55:55 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by author James Nestor. James is an international bestselling author and journalist known for his book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. Breath has sold over 2 million copies worldwide, was translated into 35 languages, and was an instant bestseller in the New York Times. Kristen and James will discuss the research that inspired the work for Breath (3:20), how breathing is linked to performance and health (5:05), where we went wrong with breathing (6:48), why people weren’t paying attention to breathing issues (8:54), the connection between asthma, allergies, and breathing (11:20), people using James’ teachings and techniques (16:45), negative effects of mouth breathing (18:55), getting started with nasal breathing (22:15), elite athletes working on their breathing (25:30), HRV’s correlation to breathwork (32:05), breathing protocols and optimization (33:30), seeing benefits from breathing protocols (40:40), and the connection between breathing and weight loss (46:05). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Defending US Open Champion Aryna Sabalenka's Guide To Training Your Mind And Body To Win | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:40:16 | |
On this episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed sits down with World #1 Tennis Player Aryna Sabalenka. Aryna opens up about her journey from first picking up a racket at six years old to becoming the top-ranked player in the world. She reflects on the role her father played in her early development, the turning point when she fell in love with the game, and how her mindset has evolved through the years. Aryna shares an inside look at her training, recovery, and how WHOOP helps stay on top of her game. Aryna discusses balancing fun with competitiveness, the lessons she’s learned from setbacks, and her strategies for staying resilient under pressure. Looking ahead to the US Open, Aryna shares what the tournament means to her personally and how she’s preparing to defend her title. Aryna reflects on her game and shares her advice to young athletes chasing their dreams. (00:58) Building A Career In Tennis (03:36) The Road to Becoming World #1 (06:50) Mindset and Keeping Things Light Hearted As A Team (07:38) How Aryna Views Herself and Her Game On Court (09:03) Aryna’s Training and WHOOP Data (17:41) Having a Red Recovery Going Into The US Open Final (20:39) Travel Tips For Peak Performance (21:43) Aryna’s Definition of Success (26:27) Looking Ahead to The US Open: What The Tournament Means to Aryna (27:50) Reflecting on Past Competitions (30:46) The Differences in The Men’s and Women’s Game (31:53) The Secret to Maintaining A Positive Mindset (34:20) Rapid Fire Questions (37:04) Build The Best Tennis Player (38:17) Aryna’s Lowest Recovery Follow Aryna Sabalenka: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Why We Need to Invest in Our Emotional Health with Dr. Guy Winch | 03 May 2023 | 01:08:25 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Guy Winch. The licensed psychologist and author is a relationship and emotional health expert with one of the industry's most highly regarded TED Talks. His TED Talks have been viewed over 30 million times and his books have been published in 28 different languages. Kristen and Dr. Guy will discuss how Guy began studying emotional health (3:15), the approach and skills involved with emotional health (5:50), the dos and don’ts of emotional health (10:25), dealing with rumination (15:25), getting space to grieve properly (26:55), managing self-esteem (32:50), dealing with heartbreak and finding your identity (35:05), creating a social circle in line with your own values (44:20), the timeline for recovering from emotional damage (49:15), the global outlook on emotional health (53:25), and developing the right work-life balance (57:25). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Strength Trainer: The First-of-Its-Kind Way to Quantify The Impact of Your Strength Workouts | 26 Apr 2023 | 00:32:20 | |
This week’s episode is all about the newest feature on WHOOP, Strength Trainer. WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by WHOOP Chief Technology Officer Jaime Waydo to give an in-depth look at the science behind the new feature that tracks exercises, reps, and weight to calculate the load you put on your musculoskeletal system. With Strength Trainer, that muscular load is now going to be factored into your overall strain, giving you a more comprehensive view of the demands you place on your body. Will and Jaime will discuss what is Strength Trainer (3:25), the technology behind the feature (4:55), acquiring and incorporating the PUSH technology (7:35), testing the product and feature throughout development (11:00), how WHOOP is able to track various movements and muscles (14:00), the WHOOP Workouts available to users (15:25), how WHOOP is the first wearable to track this type of weight training data (21:25), how your strain, recovery, and sleep scores will be impacted (24:35), and the future of Strength Trainer (26:55). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Understanding Heart Rate Variability and the Impact on Strength Training with Chris Chapman | 19 Apr 2023 | 01:04:08 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by WHOOP Senior Sport Scientist Chris Chapman. Chris is also the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Big Air / Slopestyle Team for Freestyle Ski Canada. Kristen and Chris discuss how Chris got into Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and how he applies it to training (3:40), how to assess training readiness in athletes (7:35), components of a strength training program (12:30), what is HRV and why it is important (18:45), how HRV is impacted by strength training (26:15), how people are adapting their HRV (34:00), how HRV can influence exertion and performance (45:45), recovery tools and tips (48:15), dealing with stress while training (54:15), and how age influences HRV (1:00:20). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Building the Foundation of a Solid Strength Training Program with Dr. Andy Galpin | 12 Apr 2023 | 01:02:37 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Andy Galpin. Dr. Galpin is a professor of kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton and an expert in exercise science. He is also the Director of the Center for Sport Performance at CSU Fullerton where he conducts kinesiology and human performance research. Dr. Galpin and Kristen will discuss how to Dr. Galpin describes strength training (3:00), getting started on a program (5:45), neural adaptations and how muscles and bones work together (7:40), how to train differently based on your desired results (14:00), training for high performance vs. longevity (20:55), how speed plays a role in strength training (29:40), recommendations for a basic training routine (36:45), how Andy trains his pro athletes (47:15), tips on how to accelerate recovery (50:25), strength training advice for women (55:35), and the best tips to optimize your strength training program (58:47). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Conquering One of the Hardest Ultramarathons in the World, The Barkley Marathons, with John Kelly | 05 Apr 2023 | 00:54:35 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by ultramarathoner and data scientist John Kelly. John is fresh off his completion of one of the most grueling endurance races in the world, the Barkley Marathons. He has won numerous endurance races, competed in multiple Ironmans and triathlons, holds a Guinness World Record, and a PhD from Carnegie Mellon focused on brain-computer interfaces. Will and John discuss how John got into ultramarathons and endurance competitions (3:52), what John gets out of running ultras (9:10), running the Barkley Marathons (12:00), how to fuel before and during an ultra (16:40), how to navigate while running the Barkley Marathons (18:33), John’s WHOOP data before and after the races (20:05), recovering from an ultramarathon (25:08), the mental and physical fatigue when running ultras (28:07), how John developed mental toughness (34:45), what it was like going back to the Barkley Marathons after winning (40:05), people who John has learned from over the years (47:44), what John has learned while being on WHOOP (50:00). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Stress Monitor: A New Way to Monitor and Manage Stress | 29 Mar 2023 | 00:45:05 | |
On this week’s podcast, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by WHOOP Chief Technology Officer Jaime Waydo to dive deep into the new Stress Monitor feature. Stress Monitor measures your stress levels in real time and helps you manage them with scientifically-backed breathing interventions developed in partnership with Dr. Andrew Huberman. Jaime is a product and technology executive with over 20 years of experience leading companies including Alphabet, Apple, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, among many others. Will and Jaime discuss the new Stress Monitor feature (4:58), the Stress Score scale (7:05), how to use the breathing interventions developed in partnership with Dr. Andrew Huberman (10:30), monitoring your recovery and how it impacts your stress levels (15:50), using the Stress Monitor before going to sleep and waking up in the morning (20:20), how the Stress Score is calculated and showing up in everyday events (27:05), Jaime’s background in the tech industry (31:35), a behind-the-scenes look at the building of Stress Monitor (35:00), and how the feature will continue to be developed and integrated throughout the WHOOP platform (40:25). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Dealing with the Physical and Mental Toll of Injuries and Recovery with Dr. Kate Ackerman | 22 Mar 2023 | 00:54:47 | |
On this week’s podcast, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by sports medicine expert Dr. Kate Ackerman. Dr. Ackerman is the Founder and Director of the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program Boston Children’s Hospital and Biennial International Female Athlete Conference and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. The sports medicine expert focuses her research on female athlete health and is currently the chair of the US Rowing medical committee and a member of the World Rowing medical commission. Dr. Ackerman and Kristen will discuss Kate’s time as a student-athlete at Cornell (3:50), the Female Athlete resilience study at Boston College (11:00), questions to ask to learn more about someone’s health (13:47), people being more open to discussing their mental health (16:37), the factors behind injuries and setbacks (18:50), the importance of young athletes being active and a part of a team (24:00), behaviors that can lead to energy deficiencies (27:23), the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program (32:30), recovering from an injury and the path back to peak performance (42:00), the process of seeking help (45:40), mantras that inspire Kate (47:35), and the lifestyle tips and things outside of training that set athletes up for success (50:50). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| A Sleep Scientist's Guide to Better Sleep Habits with Dr. Allison Brager | 15 Mar 2023 | 00:54:42 | |
This week WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Allison Brager. She is a neurobiologist with expertise in sleep and circadian rhythms who works to examine the mind and body’s resilience to extreme environmental stress. She serves as a member of the WHOOP Scientific Advisory Council and wrote a popular science book entitled Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain. Kristen and Dr. Brager will discuss the NCAA handbook and sleep trends for NCAA student-athletes (3:07), WHOOP member sleep statistics (8:35), the proper framework to maximize sleep performance (12:33), what happens when sleep performance is poor (16:05), how to effectively lower sleep debt (19:10), behaviors to advance and delay your sleep onset (21:35), the impact of light before bed (27:00), myths about sleep (32:55), how to get a good night’s sleep and how to prep during the day (35:47), taking the perfect nap (40:30), practicing yoga nidra (44:00), sharing a bed with a partner or pet (47:05), and sleep tourism (48:50). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Adapting Your Training Throughout All Phases of Your Life with Dr. Stacy Sims | 08 Mar 2023 | 00:51:10 | |
This week WHOOP VP of Performance Science Kristen Holmes is joined by exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Dr. Stacy Sims. Dr. Sims is a leader in the women’s health space who has directed research programs at Stanford, AUT University, and the University of Waikato, focusing on female athlete health and performance and is pushing the dogma to improve research on all women. Kristen and Dr. Sims will discuss the differences in strength between men and women (5:10), how coaches and parents should talk to young girls about puberty (7:10), training through the menstrual cycle (12:15), maintaining fuel and energy during the luteal phase (15:38), the psychological impact of the menstrual cycle (18:40), behaviors people can adopt to stay balanced (21:50), what training modalities you should focus on during each menstrual cycle phase (26:11), reprioritizing how we train when women reach perimenopause and post-menopause (28:52), various training techniques and when to implement them (31:51), protein need and intake (36:53), training during the different stages of menopause (38:30), how to stay active during a chaotic travel schedule (42:25), and certain health risks and factors that come with aging and menopause (46:13). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Changing the Conversation Around Menopause with Dr. Jessica Shepherd | 01 Mar 2023 | 01:02:55 | |
On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science Kristen Holmes is joined by OB/GYN and women’s health expert Dr. Jessica Shepherd. She is the Chief Medical Officer for Verywell Health. She is the founder and CEO of Sanctum Med + Wellness, a wellness concierge practice. Dr. Shepherd is also a member of the WHOOP Scientific Advisory Council and is also the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women's health forum that focuses on addressing taboo topics in a comfortable setting. Kristen and Dr. Shepherd discuss why men should learn about menopause (5:55), what is happening in the body during menopause (8:10), the timing of entering menopause (11:15), the hallmark symptoms of menopause (13:15), advice on getting good sleep when experiencing symptoms (17:00), hormone replacement therapy (22:25), how to detect whether you’re in perimenopause (28:05), nutritional tips and behavioral recommendations (33:15), understanding mindsets and habits (40:40), health risks associated with postmenopause (46:55), Don Lemon on women in their primes (54:25), and the women’s health space over the next 10 years (58:25). Resources: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| How Meal Timing Affects Sleep & Metabolism with Circadian Rhythm Expert Dr. Satchin Panda | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:44:44 | |
In this episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP SVP of Research, Algorithms, and Data, Emily Capodilupo, sits down with renowned circadian rhythm researcher and expert, Dr. Satchin Panda, to explore how the timing of your daily habits, like light exposure, sleep, and meals, can transform your health. Dr. Panda explains why our body doesn’t just run on a single “master clock,” but on a network of clocks in nearly every cell—and how food timing plays a surprisingly powerful role in synchronizing these clocks. You’ll learn practical strategies for training your circadian rhythm, optimizing your nightly routine and light exposure for better sleep, and using time-restricted eating to improve metabolic health. (00:23) Rapid Fire Q’s with Dr. Satchin Panda (02:26) Decoding the Brain’s Master clock (08:12) How to Train Your Circadian Rhythm: What Factors Apply Most? (11:09) Importance of Light Exposure For Optimal Sleep (15:41) Time Restricted Eating: How Does It Help Circadian Rhythm? (18:56) What Time Restricted Eating Studies Tell Us (28:22) Benefits of Time Restricted: What Do We Know? (40:54) Practical Takeaways For Time Restricted Eating and Circadian Alignment Follow Dr. Satchin Panda WHOOP Blue Light Blocking Glasses: Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The Keys to Better Health: Hormone Optimization and Balance with Dr. Kyle Gillett | 22 Feb 2023 | 00:58:25 | |
On this week’s episode, our VP of Performance Science Kristen Holmes is joined by health expert Dr. Kyle Gillett. Dr. Gillett is a dual board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine and an expert in optimizing hormone levels to improve overall health. He leads the Gillett Health clinic where he preaches a holistic approach to health and believes each person requires precise attention to their body, mind, and soul to achieve optimal health. Kristen and Kyle will discuss Dr. Gillett’s path to medicine (2:40), what are hormones (5:21), conditions caused by hormonal imbalances (6:55), heart rate and homeostasis (9:32), how hormones impact exercise performance (12:30), the entry point into resistance training (15:13), the connection between sleep and body composition (17:55), exercise and metabolic function (20:50), Zone 2 and Zone 5 cardio work (24:00), fueling the body and staying balanced (26:40), protein and hormone optimization (30:05), hormone health and sleep (37:55), tips to get better restorative sleep (41:40), intentional stress vs. unintentional stress (44:10), creatine and supplements that impact strain (48:35), and melatonin, magnesium, and other supplements Kyle focuses on for health (52:15). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| The Blueprint to Anti-Aging and Longevity with Bryan Johnson | 16 Feb 2023 | 01:01:33 | |
On this week’s episode WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by Bryan Johnson, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, writer, author, and the Founder and CEO of Kernel. Through his research, Bryan has become obsessed with slowing down the pace of aging. He has personally been following a daily regimen to increase his endurance, optimize his heart health, and even improve his skin – all in an effort to reverse aging. Bryan and Will discuss why Bryan is passionate about health and wellness (4:25), Bryan’s body on the Blueprint Method (7:25), his sleep and recovery WHOOP data (9:25), variables that impact Bryan’s sleep (12:25), how Bryan tests his body for optimal performance (14:25), his outlook on life since starting Blueprint (17:02), summarizing the Blueprint method (20:20), how he has filtered his relationships and a look into his family life (26:50), society and self-destructive behaviors impacting aging (32:35), the media backlash Bryan receiver when starting Blueprint (38:10), his diet on Blueprint (44:40), society and the government’s role in education around health and wellness (49:00), understanding how to remove your autonomy (52:00), and how we can build the next version of humans (56:50). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||
| Patrick Mahomes’ Road to the Super Bowl with his Personal Coach and Trainer Bobby Stroupe | 08 Feb 2023 | 01:01:41 | |
On this week’s episode, Founder and CEO of WHOOP Will Ahmed is joined by training expert Bobby Stroupe. Bobby is the CEO and Founder of Athlete Performance Enhancement Center (APEC) and is the trainer of Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes. Coach Stroupe and his team have worked with and supported over 300 professional athletes across 6 different sports including World Series Champions, Super Bowl Champions, and first-round picks in both the NFL and MLB. Ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl, Will and Bobby discuss how Bobby works virtually with Patrick throughout the season (4:37), Patrick playing hurt in the AFC Championship game (6:27), Patrick getting injured in the Divisional Round (7:37), Patrick’s strain and recovery data during the week (10:07), tips on how to overcome an injury (12:12), gamifying the offseason training regimen (15:02), different recovery and therapy methods (16:10), how Patrick and Bobby use WHOOP (17:27), Patrick’s WHOOP data on gamedays and getting stronger throughout the season (18:15), Patrick’s weekly training program (25:17), course correcting throughout the week (34:09), talking with other trainers to compare styles (40:37), Patrick’s unique ability to throw the football (45:45), navigating the extra-long halftime during the Super Bowl (49:47), Bobby’s thoughts on the Super Bowl (53:18), and Bobby’s relationship with Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (55:17). Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Follow Will Ahmed: Follow Kristen Holmes: Follow Emily Capodilupo: | |||