Nutrition and Life Guest Podcast: Metabolic Flexibility, HRV & Longevity Benefits with Dr Mike T Nelson

I recently had the pleasure of joining Lisa Franz on the Nutrition and Life Podcast, where we had a deep and insightful discussion on heart rate variability (HRV), metabolic flexibility, physiologic flexibility, and longevity—all topics I’ve spent years studying and applying with clients.

In this episode, I share a bit about my journey—how I started out lifting weights in college and, through a winding path of physiology and engineering studies, ended up diving deep into the science of performance, health, and adaptability.

One of the key topics we explore is heart rate variability (HRV) and why it’s such a powerful marker of health. I break down what HRV actually tells us about our stress response, recovery, and overall longevity, and why tracking it can be a game-changer for performance and well-being.

We also dig into metabolic flexibility, a concept I’m particularly passionate about. I explain how training your body to efficiently switch between fats and carbs as fuel can optimize health, energy levels, and athletic performance.

From there, we expand into physiologic flexibility—the next step beyond metabolic flexibility—focusing on how adapting to different environmental stressors (like heat, cold, and CO2 tolerance) can build resilience and enhance recovery.

And of course, we couldn’t wrap up the episode without touching on Triphasic Training, the book I co-authored with Coach Cal Dietz. I share insights into how this strategic training approach can help improve athletic performance by leveraging different phases of strength development.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways and science-backed insights on how to improve your nutrition, training, and overall adaptability—so you can perform better, recover faster, and live longer.