Ever wonder what kiteboarding, caffeine, and metabolic flexibility have in common? Turns out, quite a bit—and I got to unpack all of it in a recent episode of What Are You Made Of? with Mike “C-Roc.”
We recorded this one from South Padre Island, Texas—one of my favorite places to combine work, wind, and a bit of risk. The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into kiteboarding: how I got into it, what it’s like to soar 26 feet in the air, and how this sport teaches you a lot about power, precision, and trust in the process. Spoiler: no boat involved. Just a kite, a board, and wind—over water or even frozen lakes.
But that’s just the start.
We also get into:
Why I use things like caffeine (and occasionally nicotine pouches) for deep work and creative flow
The surprising link between extreme sports and scientific discipline
My transition from an underweight engineering student to a performance physiologist
How passion, protein, and purpose fuel everything I do
This episode covers a lot—from metabolic health to mindset shifts—and I think you’ll walk away with something to think about, whether you’re into strength training, research, or just pushing your limits.
Listen Here
Rock on!
Dr. Mike T Nelson
PhD, MSME, CISSN, CSCS Carrick Institute Adjunct Professor Dr. Mike T. Nelson has spent 18 years of his life learning how the human body works, specifically focusing on how to properly condition it to burn fat and become stronger, more flexible, and healthier. He’s has a PhD in Exercise Physiology, a BA in Natural Science, and an MS in Biomechanics. He’s an adjunct professor and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. He’s been called in to share his techniques with top government agencies. The techniques he’s developed and the results Mike gets for his clients have been featured in international magazines, in scientific publications, and on websites across the globe.
- PhD in Exercise Physiology
- BA in Natural Science
- MS in Biomechanics
- Adjunct Professor in Human
- Performance for Carrick Institute for Functional Neurology
- Adjunct Professor and Member of American College of Sports Medicine
- Instructor at Broadview University
- Professional Nutritional
- Member of the American Society for Nutrition
- Professional Sports Nutrition
- Member of the International Society for Sports Nutrition
- Professional NSCA Member
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