WHOOP Podcast

WHOOP

The WHOOP Podcast is all about sharing science-backed insights and strategies from the best in the world at what they do. Learn from Olympic champions, CEOs, bestselling authors, and PhDs about the habits, mindsets, and routines that improve their health, fitness, and resilience. Unpack everything from breakthrough health and nutrition research, life-saving tech advances, longevity hacks, and more—each episode features an empowering conversation you don’t want to miss.Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of the WHOOP Podcast.

  1. 5d ago ·  Video

    What You’re Getting Wrong About Metabolism (And How to Fix It) with Dr. Nick Norwitz

    Metabolic health is far more nuanced than conventional nutrition advice suggests. On this week’s episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with Metabolic Health Expert Dr. Nick Norwitz MD PhD to discuss why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for improving long-term health. Dr. Nick Norwitz shares how a ketogenic diet unexpectedly put his inflammatory bowel disease into remission after numerous conventional treatments had failed. This experimentation sparked a career dedicated to challenging assumptions with rigorous science and thoughtful self-experimentation. Together, Dr. Nick Norwitz and Dr. Kristen Holmes unpack the difference between "evidence-based" and truly individualized care. This episode continues to explore why muscle, sleep, and visceral fat play central roles in brain, heart, and metabolic health. From discussions on protein, the microbiome, and emerging therapies to Nick's famous Oreo-versus-statin experiment, the conversation encourages listeners to move beyond one-size-fits-all health advice, and partner with their healthcare providers to embrace safe, data-informed experimentation for a better understanding of their biology. Shownotes: (00:00) Trailer Intro (00:43) Who Is Dr. Nick Norwitz? (03:07) Nick’s Personal Health Journey (08:29) Nutrition as a Medical Intervention (12:41) What Does “Evidence-Based” Care Really Mean? (16:42) The Key to Optimizing Your Health (19:17) Debunking Metabolic Health Myths (20:46) The Benefits of Training and Exercise (26:29) How Metabolism Affects Strength, Cardio, and Brain Health (30:03) How Does Sleep Impact Inflammation? (32:35) GLP-1s and Your Metabolism: What’s Really Happening? (34:47) Nick’s Take on Self-Experimentation (35:43) The Oreo vs. Statin Study (45:19) How to Burn Fat (49:43) Do We Really Need to Focus on Protein? (51:25) What Is Visceral Fat—and How Do You Lose It? (56:08) Why You Should Stay Curious About Your Health Resources: Fitness and aging (Nature Aging 2026); https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-026-01150-x   Visceral fat and resistant starch: (Nature Metabolism 2024): https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-024-00988-y  Visceral fat and resistant starch, **YouTube Breakdown: https://youtu.be/wnEApLnKDRI    Visceral fat and brain volume: (Nature Comm 2026): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71141-4  Leg power and longevity (twin study): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26551663/  600-calorie exercise burn study (Nature Metabolism 2025): https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-025-01236-7  Microbiome and beige fat study (Nature 2026): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10205-3  Oreo versus statin study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38276308/ Follow Nick Norwitz: Website YouTube Instagram X LinkedIn Substack Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    What You’re Getting Wrong About Metabolism (And How to Fix It) with Dr. Nick Norwitz
  2. Aug 12 ·  Video

    How To Improve Your Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

    Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the most powerful metrics for understanding your recovery and resilience. In this week’s episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes and WHOOP Staff Research Scientist Dr. Greg Grosicki explain what HRV actually measures and what it indicates about the health of your autonomic nervous system. They unpack the biggest factors that influence HRV, including sleep consistency, hydration, training load, psychological stress, alcohol, and illness. You'll learn how to use HRV as a practical guide to balance stress and recovery, identify which habits are helping or hurting your physiology, and make small, consistent lifestyle changes that support better performance, healthier aging, and greater resilience over time. (00:00) Cold Open (00:35) What is Heart Rate Variability (HRV)? (01:48) Why HRV Matters For Recovery (03:20) How WHOOP Measures HRV (04:44) Why You Shouldn’t Compare Your HRV to Others (05:43) Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System (11:28) Why WHOOP Measures HRV During Sleep  (12:36) How Your Behaviors Impact HRV (21:30) Impact of Sleep Consistency on HRV (23:19) The Relationship Between High Stress and HRV (26:54) How to Improve Your HRV (30:33) The Habits Negatively Impacting HRV (36:26) Why You Shouldn’t Obsess Over HRV (37:51) HRV-CV: Understanding Weekly HRV Trends (41:49) How HRV Changes Over Time Listen to Our Episode on Heart Rate Variability Coefficient of Variation (HRV-CV) YouTube Spotify Apple Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    How To Improve Your Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
  3. Aug 5 ·  Video

    Taking The Guesswork Out of Women's Health with Natural Cycles° CEO Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl

    Women's health has long been underserved by research, leaving many women without the information they need to understand their own bodies. On this week’s episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl, Co-Founder & CEO of Natural Cycles° and Nobel Prize-winning particle physicist. The conversation explores how data is transforming women's reproductive health. After helping discover the Higgs boson, Dr. Berglund Scherwitzl turned her expertise in physics and data science toward her own health journey by creating the world's first and only FDA-cleared birth control app. Together, Dr. Holmes and Dr. Berglund Scherwitzl discuss how wearable technology and physiological data are giving women unprecedented insight into fertility, pregnancy planning, menstrual health, and perimenopause. The conversation explores the new WHOOP and Natural Cycles° integration, designed to make women's health feel less overwhelming and more intuitive by combining continuous wearable data with advanced insights on fertility, hormonal health, and perimenopause. Dr. Holmes and Dr. Berglund Scherwitzl discuss how body temperature and other biomarkers reveal hormonal changes, why perimenopause often begins earlier than many women realize, and how passive, personalized insights can reduce uncertainty, ease mental load, and empower women to make informed decisions about their health at every stage of life. (00:00) Cold Open  (00:37) Meet The Scientist Behind Natural Cycles° (01:00) Why Dr. Berglund Scherwitzl Started Natural Cycles° (04:35) The Only FDA-Cleared Birth Control App (05:54) The WHOOP x Natural Cycles° Partnership (07:51) The Early Signs of Perimenopause (And How To Track Them) (13:08) What Really Happens To Your Hormones Over Time (17:34) Why Understanding Your Body Changes Everything (19:09) Your Sleep Could Reveal Early Signs of Perimenopause (22:03) The Small Habits That Make A Big Difference (24:14) The Most Common Menstrual Cycle Myths (26:09) What Your Wearable Can Tell You About Your Hormones (27:07) The Truth About Fertility Timing (29:16) Knowing Which Symptoms Matter Most (31:36) HRT: What Women Should Know (34:10) What You Can Expect From The WHOOP x Natural Cycles° Partnership (37:05) The Future of Women’s Health Follow Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl: LinkedIn Website Follow Natural Cycles°: Instagram YouTube Website Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    Taking The Guesswork Out of Women's Health with Natural Cycles° CEO Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl
  4. Jul 29 ·  Video

    How This WHOOP Member Lost Over 100 Pounds | The Story of Daniel Day

    After reaching nearly 300 pounds, WHOOP Member Daniel Day committed to changing his life, turning WHOOP to give him the guidance he needed. On this week’s episode of the WHOOP Podcast WHOOP Staff Research Scientist Dr. Greg Grosicki sits down with Daniel to discuss his unique journey to optimize his health using WHOOP. After ultimately losing more than 125 pounds through sustainable lifestyle changes, endurance training, and a relentless focus on long-term health, Daniel decided to challenge himself to complete a Half Ironman. Daniel shares how WHOOP became an essential part of that transformation, providing the accountability, and daily insights that helped him build better habits and stay motivated through every stage of his journey.  (00:00) Cold Open (00:44) Daniel’s Weight Loss Journey and Life Motto (07:43) Daniel’s Motivation, Family History, and Journey to WHOOP (10:02) Finding Your “Why” (12:29) Breakthrough Moments: Daniel on Running His First Mile (14:44) The WHOOP Metrics Driving Behavior Change (16:56) Impact of Strain Coach (19:20) Daily Tracking and Daniel’s Biggest Wins (28:23) WHOOP Advanced Labs and Healthspan (33:06) Picking Up New, Active Hobbies and Habits (33:40) Improving Energy and Mindset (35:53) Training For A Triathlon (37:04) First Open Swim Sprint Anxieties and Lessons (39:59) Building Resilience for Half Ironman (44:04) Daniel’s Half Ironman Race Day Experience (46:41) Impact of Strength Training on Race Day Results (52:03) Daniel’s Reflection on His Journey Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    How This WHOOP Member Lost Over 100 Pounds | The Story of Daniel Day
  5. Jul 22 ·  Video

    The Best Exercise for Building Muscle, Bone Health, and Longevity with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple

    On this episode, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with exercise scientist Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple for a refreshing, evidence-based conversation that cuts through some common myths in fitness. Together, Dr. Holmes and Dr. Colenso-Semple unpack how social media has fueled misinformation around hormones, menopause, menstrual cycles, strength training, and recovery. Dr. Colenso-Semple challenges popular narratives around cycle syncing, hormone optimization, and sex-specific training. The episode makes the case that while men and women are biologically different, the fundamental principles of building strength, improving fitness, and maintaining health are remarkably similar. The discussion also explores hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, testosterone, Zone 2 training, and why consistency is the true path to long-term results. Whether you're new to exercise or a seasoned athlete, this conversation offers practical, empowering advice rooted in high-quality human research rather than hype. If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing it wrong" because of your hormones, this episode will leave you feeling informed, confident, and ready to focus on what actually matters. (00:41) Who is Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple (01:24) The Misinformation Around Fitness (03:48) Understanding Fitness Facts (06:50) The 3 Biggest Fitness Myths (08:29) Addressing Fears Around Training in Perimenopause (17:36) What Habits Work and What's Just Marketing? (19:19) Improving Bone Health and Avoiding Fracture Risk (23:26) Does Hormonal Birth Control Affect Your Training?  (29:23) "Women Are Not Small Men" (32:56) Should You Be Cycle Syncing Your Training (38:49) The Secret To Strength Gains & Achieving Body Composition Goals (44:06) Is Resistance Training The Key To Longevity?  (46:05) How To Fit Movement Into Your Busy Schedule (48:55) The Important Role of Recovery on Fitness Gains (55:02) Should You Be Cycle Syncing Your Training? (01:01:35) Risks of High Testosterone For Training (01:10:24) Are There Any Fitness Shortcuts? (01:15:40) Combatting Misinformation Onlines Follow Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple Instagram Website Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    The Best Exercise for Building Muscle, Bone Health, and Longevity with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple
  6. Jul 15 ·  Video

    The Recovery Habits That Drive Performance: Why Training More Isn’t Always Better

    Welcome back to the WHOOP Podcast’s Science of Human Performance Series! On this week’s episode, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist, Dr. Kristen Holmes, sits down with WHOOP SVP of Research, Algorithms, and Data, Emily Capodilupo, to explore the science behind the WHOOP Recovery Score. Emily explains the progression of the recovery algorithm, from the company’s origin to the supporting research that supports it today. Dr. Holmes and Emily identify the key metrics, like heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and sleep performance, that impact your recovery the most. Each physiological signal tracked by WHOOP helps to predict your body’s readiness to adapt to the stressors of the day, boosting injury prevention, immune health, and decision-making. This episode is your essential guide to improving and understanding your recovery.  (00:00) Recovery 101: How WHOOP Looks At Recovery (00:58) The Origin of The WHOOP Recovery Score (01:32) What Is The Overtraining Curve? (05:08) Adaptive versus Maladaptive Stress (07:49) Balancing Strain and Recovery  (08:18) Recovery for Everyone (10:48) How Recovery Improves Sleep, Immunity, and Mood (15:44) HRV: How Recovery Impacts The Nervous System (21:04) Why Your Recovery Is Low (28:45) Why Recovery Matters For Performance (29:53) The Relationship Between Sleep and Recovery (31:50) Treating Recovery as a Lifestyle (33:21) Strain Coach Explained (40:26) Is A Solid Recovery Routine The Secret To Muscle Growth?  (47:07) How Your Recovery Is Measured (49:52) The Correlation Between Recovery, HRV, and Mental Health Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    The Recovery Habits That Drive Performance: Why Training More Isn’t Always Better
  7. Jul 8 ·  Video

    The Science of Human Performance: Your Guide To Better Sleep

    Welcome Back to the WHOOP Podcast's Science of Human Performance Series! This week, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with WHOOP SVP of Research, Algorithms, and Data Emily Capodilupo for a deep dive into the science behind the WHOOP Sleep Score and the habits that have the biggest impact on restorative sleep. Emily explains why sleep consistency is one of the strongest predictors of performance, recovery, and long-term health, and walks through the four metrics that make up your WHOOP Sleep Score: sleep duration, consistency, efficiency, and sleep stress. Together, Dr. Holmes and Emily unpack how nutrition, exercise, alcohol, stress, and your daily routines influence sleep quality, share practical strategies for falling asleep and staying asleep, and discuss how poor sleep can sometimes be an early signal of underlying health issues. Whether you're looking to better understand your WHOOP data or simply wake up feeling more rested, this episode offers a science-backed framework for building healthier sleep habits that last. 01:11 How WHOOP Built The Sleep Algorithm 02:17 The 4 Pillars of Sleep: Duration, Consistency, Efficiency, & Stress 03:20 The Secret To You Best Night’s Sleep: Sleep Consistency 08:06 Sleep Efficiency Explained 11:38 Impact of Alcohol on Sleep Quality 18:01: How Your Day Shapes Your Night 19:34: Exclusive Offer For WHOOP Podcast Listeners 20:07: How Sleep Stress Impacts How Rested You Feel 24:08: Is Your Sleep Normal? 25:48: Why Sedatives Don’t Actually Make You Sleep Better 26:59: Defining and Combatting The 2 Types of Insomnia 28:57: Light Timing: Benefits of Red Light Therapy on Sleep  30:57: Winding Down Before Sleep: Breathwork & Stress Reduction 34:07: Understand Your Health with WHOOP Advanced Labs 34:41: Impact of Exercise on Your Ability to Fall Asleep  42:40: How to Prepare for Sleep & Stay Asleep 44:28: What Your Lab Results Can Tell You About Sleep  53:40: Creating Contrast Between Day and Night Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    The Science of Human Performance: Your Guide To Better Sleep
  8. Jul 1

    Gut Health Expert Dr. Amy Shah | How To Reduce Fatigue, Cravings, and Brain Fog

    Welcome back to the WHOOP Podcast How To Series! This week, Global Head of Human Performance Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with double-board certified physician, nutritionist, and gut health expert Dr. Amy Shah to teach you how to fix your gut through nutrition and lifestyle behaviors. Gut health is essential for energy, recovery, and immunity, making it a critical component for overall health and longevity. Dr. Shah reveals the powerful connection between gut health, hormones, and brain function, along with the tools and framework you need to impact your overall performance. The conversation dives into science-backed strategies to help optimize your health from the inside out. From fiber intake to morning sunlight, meal-timing, and movement, this episode will teach you how to fix your gut health in a matter of days. (01:01) Introducing Dr. Amy Shah, Gut Health Expert (02:56) Dr. Shah's Career: (10:43) What Is The Gut-Brain Connection? (15:21) Where To Start When You Experience Low Energy (21:07) Exclusive Offer For WHOOP Podcast Listeners (21:40) The Universal Rules of Gut Health (24:36) The 30-30-3 Diet: The Nutrition Guide For Your Gut (30:18) Exercise's Influence on Gut Health (35:11) Fiber: The Secret Ingredient To Longevity (37:23) How The Gut Helps Hormone Regulation (38:14) Protecting The Immune System (43:17) Refer A Friend To WHOOP (43:54) Reducing Inflammation (And How WHOOP Coach Can Help) (46:03) The Impact of Alcohol on Gut and Brain Inflammation (50:17) Can Spending Time In Nature Improve Longevity? (53:37) Does Food Timing Really Matter For Overall Health? (01:04:07) WHOOP Advanced Labs (01:04:42) Do GLP-1s Impact The Gut? (01:09:53) Intermittent Fasting: Online Fad or Recommended Path to Wellness (01:16:43) Where To Start: Dr. Shah's Best Advice For Regulating Your Gut (01:18:05) Thanks For Listening!  Follow Dr. Shah Instagram TikTok Website Support the show Follow WHOOP: Sign up for WHOOP Advanced Labs Trial WHOOP for Free www.whoop.com Instagram TikTok YouTube X Facebook LinkedIn Follow Will Ahmed: Instagram X LinkedIn Follow Kristen Holmes: Instagram LinkedIn Follow Emily Capodilupo: LinkedIn

    Gut Health Expert Dr. Amy Shah | How To Reduce Fatigue, Cravings, and Brain Fog
4.6
out of 5
656 Ratings

About

The WHOOP Podcast is all about sharing science-backed insights and strategies from the best in the world at what they do. Learn from Olympic champions, CEOs, bestselling authors, and PhDs about the habits, mindsets, and routines that improve their health, fitness, and resilience. Unpack everything from breakthrough health and nutrition research, life-saving tech advances, longevity hacks, and more—each episode features an empowering conversation you don’t want to miss.Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of the WHOOP Podcast.

You Might Also Like