In this episode of The Podium, Dr. Kevin Sprouse is joined by performance dietitian Beth Schwartz to explore one of the most foundational and often overlooked elements of performance, hydration. With experience working across NCAA sports and now with the Chicago Cubs, Beth brings practical, real-world insights to help athletes optimize fluid intake for better training, recovery, and sleep.

Together, they unpack simple and science-backed strategies for tracking hydration using body weight, urine color, and sodium loss. They also break down the roles of electrolytes, carbohydrates, and sweat composition — especially in hot or high-stakes environments — and how to build a sustainable hydration routine that supports long-term performance. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, this episode offers actionable advice to help you stay sharp, strong, and well-fueled every day.

What role do orthobiologics play in recovery? Dr. Kevin Sprouse sits down with Dr. Kendra Kemmet, director of the Sports Medicine fellowship program at the University of TN, to discuss orthobiologics, focusing on PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and stem cells. Dr. Kemmet explains the mechanisms behind PRP and stem cells and how they are used to accelerate healing, along with the evolution and clinical applications of these therapies in treating tendon and cartilage injuries.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, combining orthobiologics with proper nutrition, sleep, physical therapy, and rest. Dr. Kemmet and Dr. Sprouse also address the limitations, risks, and ethical considerations of orthobiologics, offering insights on when these treatments may be appropriate. Tune in to learn more about these cutting-edge therapies and their role in optimizing recovery.

In this episode of The Podium Podcast, Dr. Kevin Sprouse and Patrick Morris break down the science of recovery and share strategies for optimizing your performance. They introduce a recovery pyramid, starting with foundational elements like proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and active warm-downs.

They explore more advanced recovery techniques like massage and red light therapy, with the explicit warning that these methods are most effective when the basics are in place. Dr. Sprouse and Patrick also discuss the importance of balancing rest and recovery, because after all, there is no need to overcomplicate your recovery process. Tune in for actionable tips that will help you recover smarter and perform better.

As cold and flu season hits, maintaining your health and performance becomes even more crucial. In this episode of The Podium Podcast, Dr. Kevin Sprouse and Patrick Morris discuss practical strategies for athletes and high performers to stay healthy during the winter months. They cover the importance of hygiene, nutrition, rest, and sleep in boosting immunity.

You'll also learn the impact of intense training on immune function and how athletes can prevent complications like myocarditis by prioritizing rest when ill. Tune in for key tips on maintaining your health and performance, even during the height of cold and flu season.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is becoming an essential metric for athletes and high performers looking to optimize their training and recovery. In this episode of The Podium Podcast, Dr. Kevin Sprouse and Patrick Morris break down what HRV is, how it works, and why it’s important. They discuss how HRV reflects the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and how it can help track recovery and stress levels.

Dr. Sprouse and Patrick explore factors that impact HRV, including sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress, and emphasizes the importance of long-term trends rather than day-to-day measurements. Tune in to learn how you can use HRV to guide your training decisions and improve your overall performance.

Welcome back to The Podium Podcast! After a brief hiatus, Dr. Kevin Sprouse and Patrick Morris are back with a new season, and a new approach. Tune in for a series of episodes that cover timely topics like PRP, recovery, and immune support.

Plus, while the core of the podcast will remain the same—offering valuable insights on health, wellness, and performance—patients will now have exclusive access to short videos that dive deeper into actionable takeaways from each episode.

As the summer months are approaching we will be taking a short break from regularly publishing new episodes.

Don't worry this is only a temporary hiatus. Our goal is still to build an extensive library of episodes that can serve as an educational resource. Whether you're a patient or loyal listener we hope you'll enjoy exploring our back catalog of discussions if you haven't heard some of the earlier shows. We plan to return this fall with a refreshed format and topics we haven't covered yet. In the meantime, please feel free to send us any topic or guest suggestions you'd like us to consider.

We also wanted to share some exciting news . We've designed a custom cycling kit featuring the podcast logo, and are opening our store to both patients and non-patients alike. You can order your cycling kit here. Orders are due by June 9, 2024!

Learn how to enjoy your travels without sabotaging your health goals. Patrick Morris and Dr. Kevin Sprouse share their top nutrition tips and travel hacks for maintaining consistency on the road, so you can fully experience new places without derailing your fitness routine.

Packing essential items like supplements, coffee equipment, and grocery items can help. But the most important tip might be the pre-packed "travel nutrition kit" to help you to stay on track. Tune in to learn how to make your own!


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