Jacob Heppner on the Make Wods Great Again Podcast 


CrossFit Games and Team FITAID athlete Jacob Heppner joined the Make Pods Great Again podcast back in March to discuss his retirement from competitive CrossFit, his new training barn, his work with teen athletes, new business ventures, and some hints to his new sporting pursuits. Spoiler alert: he’s boxing Josh Bridges in September.

Listen now.

Physical Therapist Advice for Athletes

Taking care of your body means you can tackle your next adventure sooner. Abigail Stanislaw, a physical therapist in Santa Fe who specializes in sports rehabilitation, answered our most burning rehab questions.

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What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” 

—Sheryl Sandberg

FITAID Strawberry Lemonade is Here!


We've made athletic recovery simple. Now we've made it even more delicious for summer. As our first flavor extension, FITAID Strawberry Lemonade checks off all the boxes for a refreshing finish to a hard workout. Stacked with anti-inflammatory goodness and great taste, this is my new favorite in our roster.

Read More Here

7 Habits of Highly Successful People


One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for nearly three decades. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents--millions of people of all ages and occupations. Now, this 30th anniversary edition of the timeless classic commemorates the wisdom of the 7 Habits with modern additions from Sean Covey.

Order it Now!

HindeSight  |  No. 65

Jacob Heppner on the Make Wods Great Again Podcast  CrossFit Games and Team FITAID athlete Jacob Heppner joined the Make Pods Great Again podcast back in March to discuss his retirement from competitive CrossFit, his new training barn, his work with teen athletes, new business ventures, and some hints to his new sporting pursuits. Spoiler […]

 

Recapping the German Throwdown, Lowlands Throwdown and Brazil CrossFit Championship


After two weeks of in-person competition the CrossFit Games semifinals go virtual.  Sean and Tommy recap the CrossFit German Throwdown, the CrossFit Lowlands Throwdown and the Brazil CrossFit Championship.  Who impressed, who surprised and who emerged as potential podium contenders at the Games?  Plus, WIT signs a multi-year deal to operate an official online CrossFit store, sell CrossFit-branded gear and have a retail presence at the CrossFit Games and other CrossFit events.

 

Listen now.

The Benefits of Creatine Supplementation for Women

Last week, Morning Chalk Up published an article by CrossFit Games athlete and Owner of Tactic Nutrition, Meredith Root, outlining the benefits of creatine supplementation in women. Although creatine is one of the most extensively researched supplements, like most, it has traditionally been researched in men, but can offer some overwhelmingly positive results (beyond fitness) for women, too.⁠

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“I may be over the top on this, but I just don’t want to like my competitors. I want my people to believe that whenever he and our other competitors succeed, we will be less able to do all the things we want to do.”

—Phil Knight

How to Harness the Pain-Blocking Effects of Exercise


Pain isn’t like heart rate or lactate levels—things you can measure and meaningfully compare from one session to the next. Every painful experience is different, and the factors that contribute to those differences seem to be endless. A recent study in the Journal of Sports Sciences, from researchers in Iraq, Australia, and Britain, adds a new one to the list: viewing images of athletes in pain right before a cycling test led to higher pain ratings and worse performance than viewing images of athletes enjoying themselves.

Read More Here

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

A Wall Street Journal Bestseller, this business book argues that one of the most valuable skills in the world is quickly becoming rare—the ability to focus without distraction on a demanding task. Author Cal Newport explains that by mastering this skill, you’ll be able to more effectively process complicated information and deliver better results in less time as a result.

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HindeSight  |  No. 64

 

  Recapping the German Throwdown, Lowlands Throwdown and Brazil CrossFit Championship After two weeks of in-person competition the CrossFit Games semifinals go virtual.  Sean and Tommy recap the CrossFit German Throwdown, the CrossFit Lowlands Throwdown and the Brazil CrossFit Championship.  Who impressed, who surprised and who emerged as potential podium contenders at the Games?  Plus, […]

 Training and Competing as a New Mom with Kenzie Riley


Team MisFits athlete Kenzie Riley joins Drew and Sherb on the podcast to discuss the lessons she’s learned as a new mom trying to stay fit. 

Listen now.

"Self-Rule" Choices You Can Make to Increase Your HRV and Immunity

Stress is often defined as an organism’s ability to adapt to environmental and psychological demands which result in biological changes that either support health, or could place you at risk for illness (Salleh, 2008). The relationship between stress and illness is complex and varies from person to person. Events in our lives collide with a host of physiological and psychological factors to either protect us from illness or make us more vulnerable.

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"Don’t worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow.

—Oprah

What's the Minimum Dose of Training to Stay Fit?


This review addresses three key training variables: frequency (how many days per week), volume (how long is your endurance workout, or how many sets and reps do you lift), and intensity (how hard or how heavy). It only includes studies in which the subjects reduced their training for at least four weeks, to distinguish it from research on tapering before big competitions—although some of the conclusions are similar. And it’s focused on athletic performance, not weight loss or health.

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HWPO: Hard Work Pays Off

For years, every single decision he made was weighed against the question: "Will this help me win?" If the answer was no, he didn't do it. If it would give him even the slightest edge or advantage, he would--no matter the cost. Fraser became a master of identifying his weaknesses and then seeking out training methods to improve them, and he's idolized in the fitness community for his relentless pursuit of peak performance. It's not hard to see why he achieved so much success--but how is a different question.

Pre-Order It

HindeSight  |  No. 63

 Training and Competing as a New Mom with Kenzie Riley Team MisFits athlete Kenzie Riley joins Drew and Sherb on the podcast to discuss the lessons she’s learned as a new mom trying to stay fit.  Listen now. “Self-Rule” Choices You Can Make to Increase Your HRV and Immunity Stress is often defined as an […]

FITAID once again got to catch up with CrossFit analyst and Morning Chalk Up host, Tommy Marquez, to get his thoughts as we head into this year’s CrossFit Games. After last year’s unexpected return to the infamous Ranch in Aromas, we find ourselves back in Madison, Wisconsin at the Alliant Coliseum.

Now, as pandemic restrictions begin to ease and fans can again cheer their favorite competitors on to victory from the sidelines in person, we sat down with Tommy who had these insights for us:

FITAID: Obviously, Mat Fraser is the Fittest Man In History. However, he was a dominant force on the field. Now that he's retired from the Games, who are the men to keep an eye on for the podium this year? Do you think any of those athletes have what it takes to be the next Froning and Fraser?

Marquez: Sheesh, where do I start? Pat Vellner, Brent Fikowski, Noah Ohlsen, Justin Medeiros, Scott Panchik, Bjorgvin Karl Gudmundsson, and Cole Sager I would say are the favorites but there are another 5-6 that if they catch a tailwind could do it too. Jayson Hopper could be the rookie breakout to do it, but Mayer, Koski, Chandler, Adler, and Cournoyer should be in the mix too which is insane.

FITAID: While we're talking about Fittest In History, Tia-Clair Toomey still remains the dominant female athlete in CrossFit. Who do you think poses the greatest threat to her 5th consecutive title?

Marquez: Lady luck, because quite frankly any one who remotely poses a chance at dethroning her would need the full support of Lady Luck on their side because there isn't a woman with a heartbeat on our planet that is fitter than Tia.

FITAID: Last year Justin Medeiros and Haley Adams proved themselves to be potent competitors. Who are the rookies and the dark horses to keep an eye on this year?

Marquez: Jayson Hopper and Lazar Dukic for the men, I think Colten Mertens might win an event as well. For the women it's gotta be the two teenagers - Mal O'brien and Emma Cary. What they're doing is unprecedented at this point.

FITAID: I'd like to pivot to talking about CrossFit as an organization. Eric Roza has been in charge as CEO of CrossFit for a year now. A lot of his focus has been on creating a more inclusive culture in the sport. For example, the Virtual Games aspect and the Foundations option in the Open. How do you think the expanded accessibility has impacted the types of athletes that will show up at the Games in the years to come?

Marquez: Don't forget the inclusion of the Adaptive Divisions at the Games as well. The focus on inclusivity of the sport has also come hand in hand with the emphasis around inclusivity in the affiliate ranks as well. Representation matters. The CrossFit community is not monolithic, but rather a beautiful mosaic, and the more we can highlight that and make sure people have a home in the sport at some level, the more the broader CrossFit message will have a chance to resonate with the people who need it most because more lives will be touched. So much of CrossFit's message gets passed along via second hand or third hand association. "I heard about that somewhere," or "my friend told me about it," is a common occurrence for people's initial exposure. So when they decide to look into it further, seeing someone that looks like you, talks like you, lives like you in some way, it increases the likelihood that the impression will stick for the better.

This year in Madison, expect to see a showcase of a wide variety of athletes that together embody the spirit of CrossFit more than ever before, as a true cross-section of our community is finally represented in a more comprehensive way. The combination of new divisions and fresh faces along with new events from the diabolical mind of Dave Castro will make this a truly pivotal moment in CrossFit history. There’s no telling what’s in store as we go into the weekend, but no matter what, one thing is certain: it’s going to be spectacular. 

FITAID once again got to catch up with CrossFit analyst and Morning Chalk Up host, Tommy Marquez, to get his thoughts as we head into this year’s CrossFit Games. After last year’s unexpected return to the infamous Ranch in Aromas, we find ourselves back in Madison, Wisconsin at the Alliant Coliseum. Now, as pandemic restrictions […]

 


The SharkPreneur Podcast

I had the opportunity to sit down with Seth Greene on the SharkPreneur podcast and we talked about the things that have helped Orion and I successfully build LIFEAID. Some things we discussed: how good positioning in your marketplace can lead to product distribution in conventional channels, why it’s important to hire people who are the right cultural fit and will represent your brand well, how LIFEAID is a beverage that tastes good and keeps you hydrated, how LIFEAID has different beverages to help different needs of your body, and why challenges should be looked at as opportunities to become a better entrepreneur.

Listen now.

How Exercise May Help Us Flourish

Our exercise habits may influence our sense of purpose in life and our sense of purpose may affect how much we exercise, according to an interesting new study of the reciprocal effects of feeling your life has meaning and being often in motion. The study, which involved more than 18,000 middle-aged and older men and women, found that those with the most stalwart sense of purpose at the start were the most likely to become active over time, and vice versa.

Read more about it.

"If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”

—Steve Jobs

New Research Shows South Africa’s Levy on Sugar-sweetened Drinks is Having an Impact


Three years ago South Africa introduced Africa’s first major tax on sugar-sweetened beverages based on grams of sugar. The tax now stands at about 11% of the price per litre. Research shows that excess sugar, particularly in liquid form, is a major cause of obesity and is a risk factor for diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, many common cancers and tooth decay. Recognising this danger, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that individuals should consume no more than 10% of total calories from added sugar, and preferably less than 5%.

Read More Here

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It's a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Deep Work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship. 

Get the Book Here

HindeSight  |  No. 62

  The SharkPreneur Podcast I had the opportunity to sit down with Seth Greene on the SharkPreneur podcast and we talked about the things that have helped Orion and I successfully build LIFEAID. Some things we discussed: how good positioning in your marketplace can lead to product distribution in conventional channels, why it’s important to […]

 

 3 Ways to Master the Art of Sales


Gyms depend on their members to keep the lights on and the doors open. In order to build up memberships, owners, coaches, and staff have to be comfortable selling what the gym has to offer. On this episode of The Mind Your Business Podcast, host James Wedmore gives three tips on how to build the mindset of selling.

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How to Get More Efficient Sleep with Dr. Allison Brager


I’ve always been an advocate for quality sleep, especially when it comes to overall performance in fitness and business. To say I was excited about the launch of DREAMAID GO was an understatement. With the introduction of DREAMAID GO, we had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Allison Brager, a sleep scientist and CrossFit athlete, to ask her all of our burning questions about sleep. 

Read more about it.

"Always deliver more than expected.

—Larry Page

Ice for Sore Muscles? Think Again.


After a particularly vigorous workout or sports injury, many of us rely on ice packs to reduce soreness and swelling in our twanging muscles. But a cautionary new animal study finds that icing alters the molecular environment inside injured muscles in detrimental ways, slowing healing. The study involved mice, not people, but adds to mounting evidence that icing muscles after strenuous exercise is not just ineffective; it could be counterproductive.

Read More Here

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed—be it parents, students, educators, athletes, or business people—that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.”

Get the Book Here

HindeSight  |  No. 61

   3 Ways to Master the Art of Sales Gyms depend on their members to keep the lights on and the doors open. In order to build up memberships, owners, coaches, and staff have to be comfortable selling what the gym has to offer. On this episode of The Mind Your Business Podcast, host James […]

 The Whoop Podcast: John John Florence

On this episode of the Whoop podcast, world-champion surfer John John Florence (and brother to Team FITAID athlete Nathan Florence), shares how mindset prepares him for elite performance.

Listen now.

Our Australia/New Zealand Partners are Officially LIFEAID


This week, we completed the acquisition of our Australia/New Zealand distributors, Fit Trendz, officially welcoming them into the LIFEAID family. They have been flying the LIFEAID flag in the land down under since 2015 and we’re excited for them to help us continue to grow our global footprint.

Read more about it.

"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

—Theodore Roosevelt

8 Reasons Sleep Is Crucial for Entrepreneurs and Leaders


In the gym business, nutrition and training are paramount to what we do. So is sleep which sometimes can be the first to go when life gets hectic. There were many nights while building LIFEAID, that I didn’t get proper sleep (and I’m sure there will be more as we continue to expand). However, I’ve experienced the benefits of getting proper sleep for myself and it continues to be a focus for me.

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Dare to Lead

Brene Brown is a New York Times Bestselling author, researcher, and professor who has spent the last two decades studying shame, vulnerability, courage, and empathy. In this book, she lays out the road map of how to be an effective leader by taking ownership, asking questions and staying curious.

Get the Book Here

HindeSight  |  No. 60

 The Whoop Podcast: John John Florence On this episode of the Whoop podcast, world-champion surfer John John Florence (and brother to Team FITAID athlete Nathan Florence), shares how mindset prepares him for elite performance. Listen now. Our Australia/New Zealand Partners are Officially LIFEAID This week, we completed the acquisition of our Australia/New Zealand distributors, Fit […]

Texas Superstar Baseball Player Joey Gallo Joins Team FITAID

Functional Beverage Brand, LIFEAID, Signs 2020 Golden Glove Winner Joey Gallo

NEWS PROVIDED BY LIFEAID Beverage Co. / Jun 02, 2021, 06:00 ET

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., June 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — LIFEAID Beverage Co. has expanded its professional athlete talent roster with the addition of professional baseball player, Joey Gallo to Team FITAID. Gallo, of the Texas Rangers, is the first MLB player to join the team’s roster. The news aligns with LIFEAID’s ongoing expansion in Texas.

Texas is home to some of our earliest brand advocates and one of our longest standing retailers, HEB,” says LIFEAID President and co-founder Aaron Hinde. “No better way to celebrate this region than some baseball and an ice-cold FITAID.”

Gallo joined the Rangers organization in 2012 as a first round pick. Following two 40 home run seasons in 2017 and 2018, he hit his 100th home run during the 2019 season. Gallo did this in his 377th career game, making him the fastest American League player to achieve this in MLB history. In 2020, Gallo took home his first Golden Glove award as a Right Fielder.

“With 162 games in the regular season, I am always looking for the best ways to recover,” said Joey Gallo. “Drinking a post-game FITAID has become a part of my routine and I am excited to be part of Team FITAID!”

As the longest tenured player in the clubhouse, Gallo’s leadership speaks volumes both on and off the field. A bright and rising talent, Gallo hits a home run with the LIFEAID brand values. And, if history repeats itself, Gallo can be expected to have another winning 2021 season ahead.

About LIFEAID Beverage Co.
With a focus on great tasting, wellness enhancing and solutions driven supplement products, LIFEAID Beverage Co. has become a trusted brand among health and performance consumers. Located in Santa Cruz, California, LIFEAID offers a range of “Vitamins You’ll Actually Enjoy Drinking.” Products include both RTD and powdered mix blends: FITAID, FOCUSAID, IMMUNITYAID, PARTYAID, and others. You can find LIFEAID products at local gyms and retailers HEB, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Central Market, Kroger Dallas, Safeway Southern, Walmart, Target and Vitamin Shoppe. Visit lifeaidbevco.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Press@lifeaidbevco.com
Source: http://www.lifeaidbevco.com

SOURCE LIFEAID Beverage Co.

Related Links

http://www.lifeaidbevco.com

Texas Superstar Baseball Player Joey Gallo Joins Team FITAID Functional Beverage Brand, LIFEAID, Signs 2020 Golden Glove Winner Joey Gallo NEWS PROVIDED BY LIFEAID Beverage Co. / Jun 02, 2021, 06:00 ET SANTA CRUZ, Calif., June 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — LIFEAID Beverage Co. has expanded its professional athlete talent roster with the addition of professional baseball player, Joey […]

9 SUMMERTIME COCKTAILS

Boats, bikinis and ice cold beverages, its summertime baby!

Our menu of functional blends serve many purposes. From workout recovery, to immunity support, to an afternoon brain boost, the functions are endless. But one of our favorite functions? They make excellent adult beverage mixers. Read on to see our top 9 favorite summer drink cocktails for you to enjoy this summer.

1 - WHISKEY SOUR: Getting straight to the point with this first cocktail. Keep it simple!

1/2 can of FITAID RX or RX Zero⁠

1 - 2 oz. Whiskey⁠

Ice⁠

Squeeze of Lemon

2 - GO-MOSA: For all you early risers out there, throw in some IMMUNITYAID GO to your next boozy brunch cocktail.

1 packet of IMMUNITYAID GO

Champagne

Berries for garnish

3 - FIT FIZZ: This one makes you just wanna go “ahhh”

1 Packet of FITAID GO!⁠

Seltzer water⁠

1 1/2 oz. Vodka⁠

4 - BLUEBERRY LIMEAID: Basically synonymous with "Summertime Friday Afternoon"

1/2 can of LIFEAID HEMP

1 1/2 oz. Vodka⁠

1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice⁠

1/4 cup Blueberries⁠

Lime wheel⁠

Sprig of fresh mint⁠

5 - KETORITA: Looking for a low calorie take on a classic? We've got you covered.

½ can of FITAID ZERO

1-2 ounces of premium Tequila

½ ounce of Cointreau

Squeeze of fresh lime

Ice (on the rocks/blended)

Coarse salt (optional)

6 - PARTYAID DAIQUIRI: Be the life of the party at your next summer BBQ, bonus points for a mini umbrella!

1/2 can of PARTYAID

1/2 oz Grand marnier/Naranja⁠

1 1/2 oz Rum, dark⁠

1 oz Pineapple juice⁠

Garnish: mini umbrella, pineapple slice

7 - SOUR SUNRISE: Oh you fancy huh?

1 oz. IMMUNITYAID⁠

1 1/2 oz. Whiskey⁠

1 1/4 oz. fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup⁠

1/2 oz. grenadine⁠

 

8 - CREAMSICLE: We think this drink needs to be added to the Ice Cream Truck menu. 

1 can of IMMUNITYAID

1 - 1 ½ oz vodka

Ice Cream

9 - CHILL PILL: Refreshing, calming, delicious. Need we say more? 

1 can of LIFEAID Hemp

1 oz. Vodka (or Gin!)

Garnish: Lemon wedge and rosemary

Do you have a favorite summer cocktail involving one of our LIFEAID blends? Leave it in the comments below! 

Happy drinking!

9 SUMMERTIME COCKTAILS Boats, bikinis and ice cold beverages, its summertime baby! Our menu of functional blends serve many purposes. From workout recovery, to immunity support, to an afternoon brain boost, the functions are endless. But one of our favorite functions? They make excellent adult beverage mixers. Read on to see our top 9 favorite […]

Sleep is on our minds and we wanted answers to all of our burning questions about getting a restful night’s sleep. We sat down with US Army Neuroscientist and US Army Warrior Fit athlete Dr. Allison Brager to learn more about sleep and how to get more efficient with our sleep game. Here’s what she had to say.

What is the most common sleep challenge?

The most common sleep challenge is developing a consistent, sleep-promoting routine. Sleep is directly tied to our behavior and actions. If we prepare our brains for sleep (winding down/putting away phones/not watching Netflix, etc.) at least an hour before bedtime, we put ourselves in the best position possible to enter the deepest & most restorative stages of sleep. It takes commitment & discipline but the benefits of restorative sleep on next-day performance is worth every bit of the sacrifice.

What are some vitamins/herbs/supplements that can support sleep?

Herbal remedies/supplements for sleep have been around for centuries. The ancient Chinese have been reported to use valerian root. A recent supplement promoting restorative sleep of interest is magnesium due to its mediation in how the central nervous system communicates. Tart cherry root (a natural source of melatonin) has also been shown to promote sleep in one clinical study. More research needs to be done on the benefits of select herbs/supplements on actual sleep processes but there are challenges due to the fact that the supplement industry is not regulated by the FDA. However, we shall prevail and it is industry leaders like LIFEAID who can implement a change in bureaucracy. 

Why is your circadian rhythm so important? 

The circadian rhythm is literally everything. The master circadian clock in the brain has input and output from virtually every tissue in the body. There is a self-sustaining circadian clock in every tissue of the body. When I was a fellow, I discovered one of these clocks in the skeletal muscle and how it regulates sleep (Ehlen, Brager et al. 2017). Because of these unique biological pathways, this is why adhering to a strict sleep routine, training, and even eating schedule are so incredibly important. A change in routine can rapidly shift the clock and how we sleep & perform.

What’s the difference between REM and Non-REM Sleep?

NREM sleep is for physical recovery & REM sleep for cognitive recovery, but both are equally as important and make up what is known as deep & restorative sleep. We cycle through NREM-REM in 90 min cycles across the night. The 90 min cycle is more saturated with NREM sleep in the first half of the night and more REM sleep in the second half of night. This distribution is actually tied to the circadian rhythm of core body temperature. 

What is the best sleep environment? 

The best sleep environment is dark (pitch black!), cool (< 68 degrees F), and noise free (with the exception of a white noise machine which research supports to help coax the brain into sleep). It's that simple. This one percent change goes a long way. 

Is there such thing as too much sleep?

From the perspective of someone who is in a career field known for massive sleep deprivation/sleep debt (i.e., first responder & military), no. Sleep banking prior to bouts of sleep deprivation can actually help stabilize performance during bouts of sleep deprivation. For the average person though, too much sleep can be a sign of an underlying health condition. But the important point here is that we never ever want to be in any situation where we are accumulating sleep debt.

Can daytime naps affect sleep?

Napping is a wonderful thing. Napping can help to repay sleep debt. Napping can also lead to an immediate benefit/boost in cognitive & athletic performance. Nap timing and amount matters. Keeping a nap < 30 min in the afternoon ensures that it will not disrupt sleep at night. 

Is it better to sleep on your back, stomach or side?

Sleeping position absolutely matters. Sleeping in the fetal position is absolutely best. Sleeping on one's back can make one more prone to sleep apnea-like episodes (due to relaxing of the tongue/throat muscles) and sleeping on one's stomach requires more effort to breath (due to dead weight). There are now forming pillows (i.e., Rooster Recovery) available to ensure one sleeps on their side.

How does food affect your sleep quality?

This is challenging for athletes but one should avoid food high on the glycemic index prior to bed (e.g., bananas, candy). A higher glycemic index can spike blood glucose preventing one from entering the deepest stages of restorative sleep.

When should you workout for the best night’s sleep?

Exercise elevates core body temperature. Lower core body temperatures lead to hitting the deepest & more restorative stages of sleep. As such, aim to finish working out 2 -3 hours before bedtime to allow core body temperature to return to baseline. This of course applies to high-intensity exercise. Taking a walking or moderate exercise (< 40% rate of perceived full exertion) to relax & wind before bed won't have the same impact.

Why do we dream?

Dreaming is part of REM sleep. It happens due to high activation of the visual cortex & hippocampus (center of memories) among other brain areas. REM sleep can be best described as an awake brain in a paralyzed body. REM sleep helps to consolidate learned information for future recall. 

Why can we remember some of our dreams and forget others?

This largely has to do with where one wakes up in the sleep cycle. The 90 min sleep cycle goes from NREM-REM-wake (very briefly). One is more likely to remember their dream if they wake up (and stay awake for a brief time) after fully completing a NREM-REM sleep cycle. This is why we tend to remember our last dream before we fully wake up in the morning. 

Why do we sleep talk/walk?

Sleep talking and walking happen during NREM sleep not REM sleep. It is a myth that it happens during REM sleep. Basically, the brain gets a mixed signal to "move" when it shouldn't and that is why people who sleep talk & walk engage in automatic behaviors like talking & walking. Sleep talking & walking are not healthy and a sign for sleep deprivation or something more clinically concerning.

What do different sleep positions say about you?

Hahah, I'm not sure but the fetal position is best! And also, being the big spoon and/or little spoon may release other "feel good" chemicals of love & attachment like oxytocin and vasopressin.

What questions do YOU have about sleep? Let us know in the comments!

Sleep is on our minds and we wanted answers to all of our burning questions about getting a restful night’s sleep. We sat down with US Army Neuroscientist and US Army Warrior Fit athlete Dr. Allison Brager to learn more about sleep and how to get more efficient with our sleep game. Here’s what she […]