The Extramilest Podcast

Your Performance Is Dropping? Here's Why | Dr Phil Maffetone

The Extramilest Podcast

Show Notes

My new book Running Breakthroughs is available now as audiobook, authographed book and eBook at https://florisgierman.com. It's a summary of 10 years podcasting lessons, takeaways from coaching thousands of athletes and my own breakthroughs in running and life.

Today Round 5 with Dr. Maffetone on The Extramilest Show. Overtraining is one of the most common reasons runners plateau, burn out, or get slower despite training harder. Dr. Maffetone breaks down how hidden stress, poor recovery, and misunderstood nutrition can quietly sabotage performance + tools to build health first so speed and consistency can follow.

Watch this full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NO6GBkODkR4

CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Low Heart Rate Training + Overtraining + Recovery 1:43 - Running Breakthroughs signed copies 2:42 - My favorite running apparel Path Projects 3:22 - Round 5 with Dr. Phil 4:41 - What creates athlete breakthroughs 10:16 - How stress slows you down 14:28 - The "gray zone" & low heart rate training 20:29 - Lactate shuttles & aerobic speed 27:44 - Why low HR training doesn't work for some 32:47 - Refined carbs & brain health 36:07 - Common carbs & better alternatives 39:16 - Are there better bread options? 42:45 - What athletes should eat 44:45 - Potatoes, rice, and carbs explained 47:22 - Cholesterol & fat myths 52:47 - Testing nutrition instead of guessing 54:37 - Why enjoyment matters 56:40 - Common training misconceptions 58:17 - Overtraining warning signs 1:02:15 - Resting heart rate & hidden stress 1:09:48 - Strength training and why it matters 1:14:05 - Recovering from burnout 1:18:55 - Where to find Dr. Phil's study 1:19:38 - How to be a healthier, stronger, happier athlete

FIND DR. MAFFETONE: ► Website: https://maffetonemusic.com/ ► Frontiers Full Paper by Dr Maffetone: https://tinyurl.com/frontiers-maffetone ► Press Release Brain Research: https://maffetonemusic.com/press-release-brain-research

LINKS & TOOLS MENTIONED ► My new book Running Breakthroughs: https://florisgierman.com/ ► More options to buy the book worldwide on Amazon: https://geni.us/running-breakthroughs ► Path Projects: https://pathprojects.com/flo ► Dr. Phil's Study: https://maffetonemusic.com/ ► Episode with Brent Cunningham: https://youtu.be/L3vsBmqelq4 ► Episode with Dr. Marco Guazzelli: https://youtu.be/C8rxNRDPMCI ► Episode with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee: https://youtu.be/mF0CCpy3Dzo ► Episode with Kilian Jornet: https://youtu.be/cU7cNo7ZwUk ► Episode with Mark Allen: https://youtu.be/YlBUJTIggyA

YOU CAN FIND ME, COACH FLORIS GIERMAN HERE: ► My book Running Breakthroughs as Audio book, Printed Book & eBook: https://geni.us/runningbreakthroughs ► Our Personal Best Coaching Program: https://www.pbprogram.com/ ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/florisgierman ► Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1329785 ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florisgierman ► Extramilest: https://extramilest.com/ ► Path Projects: https://pathprojects.com/flo ► Podcast: https://extramilest.com/podcast/

Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn commissions if you purchase items via my affiliate links. "As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases." Affiliate links do not increase cost to you. Also, you do not need to use these links. You can also search for these same items in Amazon or on any search engine/shopping site of your choice and buy/research them that way.

ABOUT THE EXTRAMILEST SHOW: A podcast and YouTube channel where host Floris Gierman interviews world class athletes, coaches and health experts on the topic of how to become a stronger, healthier and happier athlete.

More info about our Personal Best Running Coaching Program can be found at https://www.pbprogram.com.

SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell to see new videos: https://bit.ly/Flo-YT

More from The Extramilest Podcast

Oct 14, 2026

Thanks to CENTR for sponsoring this video! Build your own home gym and get 10% off at https://shop.centr.com/FLORISGIERMAN | Most runners fall off their rehab plan when life gets busy. Running Injury Specialist Mandy is back for round two, diving into hip pain, shin splints, running shoes, and her own two-and-a-half year knee injury that eventually led to surgery — and what she learned from being on the other side of the treatment table.

Oct 2, 2026

Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this video! Get 15% off your first order at http://visit.pfandh.com/extramilestshow | Can the Norwegian training method help recreational runners get faster without overtraining? I sit down with two-time Olympian and medical doctor Marius Bakken to discuss training intensity, recovery, double threshold training, lactate testing, and building sustainable habits for long-term progress.

Sep 25, 2026

Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this video! Get 15% off your first order at https://visit.pfandh.com/extramilestshow | Penny Jarvis started running at 44 and now has ran 24 marathons. She ran her fastest marathon at 72, proving it's never too late to improve. In this episode, she joins Floris to share her approach to training, strength, recovery, and building confidence, plus how running has brought friendship, adventure, and purpose into her life.

Sep 18, 2026

Thanks to Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this video! Get 15% off your first order at http://visit.pfandh.com/extramilestshow | Getting faster doesn't mean pushing harder on every run. In this episode, running coach Mario Fraioli shares how to introduce speed work, use hills to build strength, and balance training with a busy life. We also explore running strong in your 40s and beyond, learning to trust your body, and keeping the joy in running while working toward your next personal best.

Sep 1, 2026

Get 10% off your Cooling Sleep System with code FLO at https://somnuslab.com Can better sleep make you a faster runner? Chu Zhu is a sleep expert who's worked with Tour de France winners, Olympic athletes, and elite endurance performers. He's also a runner, swimmer, mountaineer, and founder of Somnus Lab. We dive into one of the most overlooked aspects of performance: sleep, one of the key areas I've been focusing to optimize my health. You'll get a lot out of this one.

See all episodes →