Home Podcasts Human Performance Outliers Podcast with Zach Bitter
Human Performance Outliers Podcast with Zach Bitter

Human Performance Outliers Podcast with Zach Bitter

Zach Bitter 512 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

Human Performance Outliers Podcast is hosted by Zach Bitter, who explores topics related to health, fitness, endurance, running, hybrid athlete training, ultramarathon, and nutrition. The show features interviews with individuals pushing their limits and researchers in a variety of sports, fitness, and nutrition fields. Each episode delves into the science and personal experiences behind exceptional human performance.

Episodes

Run The News | Moab 240 Cancellation & Chicago Marathon
Run The News | Moab 240 Cancellation & Chicago Marathon Oct 13, 2026 01:19:05 Allison Mercer joined the show to recap two very different running stories from the past week: the Moab 240 cancellation amid flash flooding, mudslides, and serious safety concerns in a remote area, and the Chicago Marathon with its mix of stories. We dig into the growing risks and responsibilities around 200+ mile events (experience levels, communication, support crews, and protocols), contrast t
Run The News | Road Ultras Need Hype & Money In Ultras
Run The News | Road Ultras Need Hype & Money In Ultras Oct 6, 2026 01:33:03 Allison Mercer is an ultramarathon athlete who has competed at both 50km and 100km World Championships, Tunnel Hill, and Strolling Jim. She joined me to unpack why the World 100 KM deserves more attention, and what ingredients make ultramarathons grow. Allison: @onewomandanceparty | Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/18552474 Episode Sponsors: LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with p
Episode 503: Last Soul Ultra Steals The Show | Kim Gottwald
Episode 503: Last Soul Ultra Steals The Show | Kim Gottwald Sep 25, 2026 54:28 Kim Gottwald is a German ultra runner and content creator who went from law student to backyard-ultra standout by documenting extreme projects in public, including a co-win at Go One More in Texas, and a 449 km Last Soul Ultra victory at home. He co-founded the running brand Rappid, became BPN's first German athlete, and now hosts Germany's Last Soul Ultra. He has big plans for expanding Last Soul
Episode 502: Backyard Ultra Records & Recovery | Phil Gore
Episode 502: Backyard Ultra Records & Recovery | Phil Gore Sep 22, 2026 01:14:34 Phil Gore holds the World Best mark for the Backyard format, completing 119 "yards" for a total of 495.83miles. He recently completed a personal project, called Project 168, where he aimed to see if he would be able to last 168 yards (700 miles). He ended up tapping out at 152 yards (633.75 miles). We discussed this project, what the limiters were, how they have created a longer recovery, and what
Episode 501: First Double Amputee To Finish Leadville 100 Mile Run | Brian Reynolds
Episode 501: First Double Amputee To Finish Leadville 100 Mile Run | Brian Reynolds Sep 10, 2026 01:19:36 Brian Reynolds is a Brooks-sponsored double below-knee amputee runner who, in 2026, became the first athlete in that category to finish the Leadville Trail 100 — on his fourth try, in 28 hours 55 minutes. He lost both legs at age four to meningococcemia, a rare bacterial infection with grim survival odds. For years he hid the amputation and stayed off the trails. A Grand Canyon hike cracked that o
Run The News | Phil Gore Shocks Backyard World & Meg Eckert Targets Men's 6-Day American Record
Run The News | Phil Gore Shocks Backyard World & Meg Eckert Targets Men's 6-Day American Record Sep 7, 2026 24:26 Phil Gore holds the World Best Backyard record with 119 yards (495.87 miles). In an effort to see what he could actually do, he set up a project targeting yards/hours. Meg Eckert may be the most underrated ultramarathon athlete in the game right now. She is currently on pace to break her own women's 6-day World Record, and also the outright American Record. Finally, I touch on some thoughts around
Episode 500: The Truth Behind Run Slow To Run Fast | Thomas Nobbs
Episode 500: The Truth Behind Run Slow To Run Fast | Thomas Nobbs Sep 3, 2026 01:12:56 Thomas Nobbs is a professional marathon athlete with a 2:09 PR, and endurance coach. His progression to 2:09 speaks for itself, and his public strava profile shows how he has balanced lots of low intensity running and key quality sessions. Thomas is currently training for the Chicago Marathon, where he plans to once again improve his marathon PR.  Thomas: teamrunrun.com/coach/tom-nobbs | IG: @nobb
Episode 499: REDs & Body Composition | Dr. Trent Stellingwerff
Episode 499: REDs & Body Composition | Dr. Trent Stellingwerff Aug 28, 2026 01:12:50 Dr. Trent Stellingwerff joined the show to discuss the topic of relative energy deficiency syndrome (REDs) in endurance athletes, and body competition management. Trent includes working with the Women's Health, Sport & Performance Institute (WHSP) in Boston Trent is the Chief Performance Officer (CPO) at the Canadian Sports Institute. Trent has developed many national and international collaborati
Run The News | Mark Dowdle Goes Crazy At Last Soul Ultra
Run The News | Mark Dowdle Goes Crazy At Last Soul Ultra Aug 24, 2026 01:01:14 Mark Dowdle arrives 15 minutes before the start of Last Soul Ultra, but still wins with nearly 400 miles. Should we have more unsupported ultra running events? Badwater 135 lack of streaming and interesting shoe policy. Jeff Garmire joins me to discuss and share his upcoming documentary. Jeff Garmire: freeoutside.com | IG: @thefreeoutside | YT: @Freeoutside Episode Sponsors: LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/H
Episode 498: 2:59 to 2:18 Marathon | Matt Fox - Sweat Elite
Episode 498: 2:59 to 2:18 Marathon | Matt Fox - Sweat Elite Aug 20, 2026 01:29:16 Matt Fox joined me to chat about his interest in the marathon after coming from a National class middle distance background, his trajectory with content creation, the Chinese running shoe market, and his power weight ratio journey.  Matt Fox: sweatelite.co | IG: @mattinglisfox Episode Sponsors: LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (2
Episode 497: Blood Clot Defeated & Return To Training
Episode 497: Blood Clot Defeated & Return To Training Aug 13, 2026 26:11 I reached the end of my journey with the blood clot I discovered at the end of June. I learned a lot through the process, along with information about my personal risk for blood clotting. I unpack all of that and share my return to training.  Episode Sponsors: LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Kila Insoles: kilarun.com
Episode 496: Fueling Your Ultra: Strategies & Challenges | Vic Johnson
Episode 496: Fueling Your Ultra: Strategies & Challenges | Vic Johnson Aug 7, 2026 01:09:37 Vic Johnson shares the practical limits of high-carb strategies, discusses how carbohydrate needs can exceed what the gut can absorb, especially under heat and high intensity. Vic shares typical successful ranges, why hotter races and faster pacing worsen digestion, and emphasizes consistent intake over large boluses that can trigger GI issues. They discuss individualizing targets for mid-pack run

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