Metabolic Mastery

KORR Medical Technologies

Metabolic Mastery, brought to you by KORR Medical Technologies, is the podcast about everything VO2 Max and beyond. Tips on testing, new research, and much more. Hosted by Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT)

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 68 - Muscle Fiber Types & Training: How to Trigger the Right Adaptations for Your Goals

    Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ Ever wonder what's actually changing in your body when VO2 max stays flat but your performance improves? In this episode, we break down the hidden adaptations happening at the biochemical, cellular, and tissue levels—and why patience with your training matters more than you think. We dive deep into energy systems (phosphocreatine, glycolytic, and oxidative pathways), explore how different muscle fiber types adapt to training stress, and reveal why rest intervals between workouts can completely change your results. Plus, discover why central fatigue, sleep, and nutrition are often the real limiting factors in your performance. You Will Learn:What metabolic changes occur BEFORE you see improvements in VO2 maxHow the three energy systems work and which training style targets each oneWhy rest intervals between sets determine whether you build endurance or powerThe critical role of muscle fiber type adaptations in athletic performanceHow sleep deprivation can sabotage your training adaptations (even when everything else is perfect)Why your training plateau might actually be a lifestyle factor, not a programming issueThe difference between peripheral fatigue and central nervous system fatigueHow to individualize training based on your unique physiology and constraintsThe importance of metabolic testing beyond just VO2 max numbersPractical frameworks for designing training that actually produces results

  2. Jul 28

    Ep. 65 - Is VO2 Max Testing Just a Fitness Fad? (The Truth)

    Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ Is VO2 max testing the real deal, or is it just another fitness fad riding a social media wave? In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber pull from their "Fitness Fad Decoder" framework 10 practical questions anyone can use to separate real, sustainable science from hype and apply them directly to VO2 max testing, zone training, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). They break down why VO2 max is a powerful, well-validated number, but a dangerous one to chase in isolation and what actually determines whether VO2 max testing will help you build lasting fitness or just become this decade's fleeting trend. You Will Learn: The 10-question "Fitness Fad Decoder" framework for evaluating any health or fitness trendWhy VO2 max is a great indicator of fitness but not a complete picture of health or longevityThe difference between population-based heart rate zones and physiology-based training zonesWhy chasing a single VO2 max score can actually increase injury and burnout riskHow fat oxidation (fat-burn zone) differs from fat loss — and why the two get confusedWhat determines whether high-intensity training like the Norwegian 4x4 is right for you right nowHow symptom-limited and submaximal testing can safely inform training for nearly any populationWhy cardiovascular reserve and muscle mass both matter for long-term health, not just VO2 maxHow to evaluate research claims and identify influencer overclaims around fitness trendsWhy investing in accurate metabolic testing may be one of the highest-ROI decisions for your health or your practice

  3. Jul 14

    Ep. 63 - Why Your Smartwatch's VO2 Max Is Wrong With Daniel Crumback

    Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/ Wearables and influencers have made VO2 max a household term but most of what's being said about it is misleading, oversimplified, or flat-out wrong. In this episode, Dr. Marc Humbert sits down with Daniel Crumback Director of International Sales at KORR, certified exercise physiologist, chartered physiotherapist, and strength and conditioning specialist to cut through the noise around VO2 max, zone training, and metabolic testing. Daniel breaks down why devices measuring O2 only can't actually calculate a true VO2 max, why a high VO2 max doesn't mean someone is metabolically healthy, and how misapplied protocols like the Norwegian 4x4 can do more harm than good when they ignore an individual's actual limiters. Using a real case study a high-performing executive whose cardiovascular numbers looked great but whose metabolic health was quietly falling apart Daniel shows why testing without proper analysis is nearly worthless. You Will Learn: Why VO2 max and VO2 peak are not the same thing, and why that distinction mattersWhy O2-only devices can't truly measure VO2 max (and what gets lost in the algorithm)How to identify which system — cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic — is actually limiting performanceWhy "zone two" and "zone five" training aren't competing philosophies but serve different physiological purposesWhat near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can and can't tell you about performanceWhy lactate testing has real limits — and where marketing claims cross into dishonestyHow AI-generated fitness advice can sound convincing while being physiologically inaccurateWhy testing to the modality (rather than testing to find true limitations) leads to bad programmingHow proper zoning through metabolic testing can prevent long-term issues like metabolic diseaseWhat separates a trustworthy fitness expert from an untrustworthy one (hint: they say "it depends")

  4. Jul 7

    Ep. 62 - How We Helped a Injured Runner Lose 20 Lbs Without a Weight Loss Program (Real Case Study)

    In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber walk through a real-world case study of a female runner in her 40s one who was stuck in a cycle of injuries, told to stop running, and struggling to lose weight despite years of effort. Using resting metabolic rate (RMR) testing, VO2 max data, and evidence-based exercise prescription, they break down exactly how they designed a program focused on injury prevention and performance, and how weight loss followed naturally as a byproduct. You Will Learn: Why telling injured runners to "rest it away" creates a vicious cycle that destroys tissue capacity over timeHow RMR data revealed this client preserved muscle mass during 12%+ body weight lossWhy metabolic adaptation causes RMR to drop 5–30% beyond what fat loss alone explains and how to track itThe load vs. capacity framework that allowed this client to run every single day for a year injury-freeHow Zone 2 training reduced injury risk while actually improving race paces at age 41Why adherence not the "optimal" program is the single biggest predictor of weight loss successHow protein intake (1.6g/kg) and resistance training protect fat-free mass during weight lossThe danger of false dichotomies in fitness (HIIT vs. Zone 2, cardio vs. strength) and why both are neededWhy bone stress injuries are usually an under-fueling problem, not an overuse problemHow to use metabolic retesting to iterate your coaching when results aren't going as expected

  5. Jun 30

    Ep. 61 - Why Research Alone Can't Save You: Applying Science to YOUR Body (N of 1 Explained)

    Get A Demo: https://korr.com/contact/video-demo/   In this episode of Metabolic Mastery, hosts Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber tackle one of the most misunderstood challenges in health and fitness: how to take population-based research and actually apply it to the individual in front of you — the "N of 1." With an overwhelming flood of new studies published daily, it's easy to either over-rely on research or dismiss it entirely. Marc and Cameron walk through a practical framework for reading research critically, understanding study design, and using metabolic testing data — including VO2 max and resting metabolic rate — to personalize care and training in the real world. You Will Learn: What "N of 1" means and why it matters for your health and trainingHow to evaluate research quality, including study design, population relevance, and statistical vs. clinical significanceWhy your VO2 max or RMR result may look "normal" but still be telling an important story about your individual trajectoryThe difference between a research roadmap and a blueprint — and how to stop confusing the twoHow Bayesian reasoning can help you update your beliefs without flip-flopping on every new studyWhy placebo effect, natural disease history, and confirmation bias can fool even experienced cliniciansHow the "evidence-based medicine funnel" works: best available research → clinical expertise → individual goals and constraintsReal examples of how metabolic testing reveals outliers that population averages would completely missWhy effect size matters just as much as statistical significance when evaluating any interventionHow to run your own mini N of 1 experiments over time using repeat metabolic testingFollow KORR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korrmedical/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korrmedical/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/korrmedical https://korr.com/  Listen to the Metabolic Mastery Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/metabolic-mastery/id1812972674  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sgLMFv1Z8DwEz87yUpapI?si=29a177a6c6ca4ed4  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@korrmed/podcasts  YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVCRWXBDdFo_S0OeaAsPv8xTnfajTLc75&si=d4wVUA0jqajkbukB  Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d76834b7-c11a-485f-8010-32b490d49e57/metabolic-mastery

4.3
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Metabolic Mastery, brought to you by KORR Medical Technologies, is the podcast about everything VO2 Max and beyond. Tips on testing, new research, and much more. Hosted by Dr. Marc Humbert and Dr. Cameron Garber Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT)

You Might Also Like