The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

Dr. Jeff Sankoff
  • 4.7 (47)
  • Fitness
  • Biweekly

Jeff Sankoff is the TriDoc, a physician who will do the research so you don't have to in order to understand if any of those things marketed to endurance athletes can deliver close to what they promise. Before you put anything in or on your body, understand what the science says by listening to an expert who has done the work for you.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep. 209- An interview with Matthew Marquardt about KONA + Baroshift gadget discussion

    In this episode: Matthew Marquardt crushed Kona and came home third overall — yes, third — but the real headline is how he did it: grit, discipline, and a refusal to let a three‑minute drafting penalty turn his day into a meltdown. I gush like a proud parent for about two minutes, then we actually unpack the race — the messy double‑pass on the bike, the calm T2 choices (yes, he tied his shoes on purpose), smart cooling tricks like gloved hand‑ice for evaporative cooling, and how he mentally ran his own race when guys sailed by. We also get nerdy: Juliet and I dive into the Baroshift gadget in the medical mailbag — the short version is the breathing science is real and useful, but the app’s hyped claims and $300 flex? Not so much; slow breathing helps, you don’t need a magic band to do it. Matthew talks residency reality too — spoiler: he’s not quitting triathlon, he’s just getting clever about racing less and racing smarter while he finishes med school. There’s a bit of humblebragging, some dad‑bragging about college acceptances, and a lot of practical takeaways for anyone who races, trains, or is tempted to buy a wellness gadget that promises to fix your life. Stick around for the full convo if you want tactics, temperance, and the occasional parental‑level gushing. If you want a clinic on squeezing elite triathlon into a med-student life, Matthew’s story is our textbook. I sit back and let him explain how he discovered his cramp trigger (spoiler: insane pre-race carb binges, not just ‘‘more salt’’), how he dialed nutrition back to actually stop cramping, and how repeated adjustments beat mystery. He also shares the day-in-the-life stuff that makes fans go faint: surgical rotations, research blocks, social-media hustle, and still somehow elite training. The theme? Don’t put limits on what’s possible — adapt, prioritize, and pick the races that matter when life gets busy. We close on the residency question — the scary, glorious unknown — with his refreshingly realistic plan: maybe fewer races, more selectivity, and a mapped-out fourth year to keep both medicine and triathlon alive. My take (with a proud-dad-level of bragging): this is how you marry long-term career goals to short-term athletic dreams — ruthless prioritization, realistic humility, and a willingness to iterate. If Matthew’s day-to-day is any guide, elite performance doesn’t require giving up life, it demands smarter life design. Segments: [8:41]- Medical Mailbag: Baroshift [35:54]- Interview: Matthew Marquardt Links @matthewmarquardt on Instagram

  2. Oct 16

    Ep. 208- Kona Review Thoughts, Vaccines, and Dealing with Long Covid

    In this episode: Kona delivered absolute chaos right out of the gate — Solvig collapsed multiple times and still somehow staggered to the line while Taylor kept her cool and stole the show, and the men’s race was equally cinematic with surprise podiums and penalties shaking up expectations. We nerd out on all the race drama — who flamed out from the heat, who played the island instead of their rivals, and why sticking to your own plan may be the only sane strategy in that oven of humidity. I rant (politely) about the broadcast — yes, some commentators were doing hot takes from another planet — and we debate whether medical should be empowered to pull athletes who are clearly in danger. Then we switch gears to the medical mailbag where Juliet and I walk through mRNA versus traditional vaccines, why boosters matter this season, and why getting jabbed is way less dramatic than catching the flu or Covid. Finally, we sit down with Matt Fitzgerald — he tells the brutal, honest story behind his book Dying to Run, his struggle with long Covid, and what it took to claw back into endurance racing. It’s part race recap, part public-health PSA, and part moving human story — all the highs, the lows, and the weird bits in between that make triathlon and life strangely fascinating. Matt Fitzgerald’s part of the show is quietly devastating and inspiring — he writes about getting mugged by long COVID, losing running (and, for a while, normal life), and then deciding to sign up for a 100K in the middle of a health crisis. Let me be clear: he didn’t do this for clicks. He did it to reclaim identity and to say goodbye to an unfinished race in his own terms. He walks us through the abyss of post-viral illness — neuropathy, post-exertional malaise, autonomic dysregulation — and how those things make ordinary exertion feel like a betrayal by your own body. The book, Dying to Run, is an account of stubbornness, strategy and weird kindnesses — like friends carrying SATCOM devices and pacers who’d consider calling for a helicopter because, yes, it got that intense. We talk about recovery in real, non-Instagram terms: it isn’t binary. Matt documents 35 symptoms (and there are 200+ associated with long COVID), and “recovery” becomes a fuzzy, stubborn progression. He’s improved significantly over six years, can run again, but still pays in post-exertional payback and ongoing autonomic weirdness. There’s also the sobering sidebar that the testing to diagnose these issues uncovered cardiac disease that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. His message is part stoic prayer, part love letter to community: you can’t always grit your way out of chronic illness, but you can outsmart it with careful planning, good support, and the occasional reckless, soulful act — like lining up for one more race. Segments: [19:40]- Medical Mailbag: Vaccines [48:03]- Interview: Matt Fitzgerald Links Matt's Facebook page@endurance_mastery on Instagram@mattfitwriter on XMatt on YouTube

  3. Oct 2

    Ep. 207- Weighted Vests: We Dug Into the Science + Kona Talk

    In this episode: Kristian Blumenfeldt is our pick to take Kona on the men’s side, with Laidlow and Gustav fighting for the rest of the podium — and yes, we spend far too much time arguing why that feels obvious while pretending it’s a balanced discussion. We also warn you that the reigning champ Kasper Stornes had the classic athlete move of riding in dangerous winds and is now out after a crash, which absolutely reshuffles the pre-race math (and the sympathy emojis). On the women’s side Taylor Knibb is the favorite — its her race to lose — but the real drama is whether she can shake last year’s Kona demons and manage the Energy Lab without melting down emotionally or thermoregulating like the rest of us. We nerd out on race mechanics too: will technical descents in Nice-type courses unfairly reward fearless cyclists, and does the new 20m drafting rule change the bike tactics enough to matter? We sketch likely podiums (Blumi, Gustav, Laidlow for the men; a cluster of Taylor, Lucy, Solveig and a deep field for the women) and flag a few wildcards to watch. Oh, and for the runners/wannabe-strength-junkies we run a medical mailbag on weighted vests — bottom line: 5% bodyweight maybe gives tiny power gains and slightly more calories burned, 10% messes with your mechanics, and none of it reliably makes you faster in real races, so use sparingly unless you like joint complaints. Segments: [7:58]- Medical Mailbag: Weighted vests [33:21]- Interview: Matt Sharpe Links @mdsharpe1 on Instagram@mdshrp on X

  4. Sep 18

    Ep. 206- Understanding KA-EX, Meeting Sheila Kealey, and talking about Nice World Championships

    In this episode: Cross-country skiing gives a fantastic endurance base without the pounding — and Sheila Kealey swears by it, using winter ski training to crush Ironman and 70.3 age groups, so yeah, skiing → triathlon actually works. I’m Jeff Sankoff and we geek out about how non‑impact, full‑body skiing sets you up for spring races, why keeping a little running in the winter matters, and how waxing, skin skis and snowmaking all play into whether you actually get to train. We also take a hard, sarcastic look at KA-EX, the Swiss‑looking recovery drink that promises cortisol salvation but delivers tiny doses of phosphatidylserine and an expensive invoice — long story short, skip it unless you want to flush money down a very stylish drain. I give a race report from Nice (beautiful scenery, killer descent that probably shouldn’t decide world champs, indoor T2 quirks, hot aid stations) and we debate whether a technical downhill should crown a champion. Finally Juliette and I answer listener mail, mock the marketing nonsense, and invite you to tell us whether you think Chattanooga can measure up to Nice — spoiler: it ain’t Nice, but we’ll still argue about it. Segments: [15:45]- Medical Mailbag: KA-EX [41:40]- Interview: Sheila Kealey Links @sheilakealey on Instagram

  5. Sep 4

    Ep. 205- Gel or No Gel? The Science Behind Tadej’s ‘Secret Sauce’ Fuel + 70.3 Championship Discussion

    We're diving headfirst into the world of triathlon as we gear up for the 70.3 World Championships in Nice! The big takeaway? Expect a shake-up in the women’s field with more solo athletes rather than the typical packs we’ve grown accustomed to. It’s gonna be a wild ride as Jeff Sankoff and guest Matthew Sharp break down the competition, highlighting some key names to watch, including the absence of defending champ Lucy Charles Barkley—talk about a plot twist! We’ll also chat about the course, which promises to be more challenging than Marbella, with its technical descents and all. And, of course, we'll sprinkle in some of our signature sarcasm and witty banter as we discuss the latest triathlon trends and gear, including the much-hyped Enervit C2.1 Pro Lactate Gel Mix—because who doesn’t want to fuel up like Tadej Pogačar, right? So grab your headphones and get ready to laugh and learn as we dive into this action-packed episode! In this episode: Championship season is upon us, and boy, do we have a jam-packed episode for you! We're diving headfirst into the impending 70.3 World Championships in Nice, where our host, Jeff Sankoff, is more than just a casual observer; he's got skin in the game with his own triathlon aspirations. Joining him is the illustrious Matthew Sharp, a veteran triathlete who has graciously come out of his podcast retirement. Together, they unpack what makes this year's race particularly thrilling: the course's technical challenges, the fierce competition, and the absence of last year's women's champion, Lucy Charles Barkley, who has decided to focus solely on Kona. The duo discusses the likelihood of seeing a different dynamic in the race, especially with strong contenders like Taylor Knibb and Kat Matthews in the mix. Not to mention, the episode highlights the absurdity of training in a foreign country and the classic 'what to eat before the race' dilemma. Expect plenty of banter, sarcastic humor, and a few cheeky insights as they explore what’s at stake for both amateur and professional triathletes. Jeff also shares his plans to capture the event live, promising some entertaining behind-the-scenes content for listeners eager to experience the race vicariously. Segments: [8:28]- Medical Mailbag: Tadej's Gel [35:11]- Interview: Matthew Sharp Links

  6. Aug 21

    Ep. 204-The Heart of the Matter: Managing Cardiac Risks in Endurance Sports + CoreCtrl

    In this episode: Risk management isn't just for the boardrooms and stock markets; it seems to infiltrate our lives as endurance athletes too. I had a chat with Brian Dunn, a seasoned triathlete who’s been through the wringer when it comes to cardiac health. You know, just your typical 'I’m a healthy athlete, but wait, why is my heart doing the cha-cha when I’m just trying to jog?' story. We dive deep into his journey through atrial fibrillation, which sounds like a fancy term for ‘my heart decided to throw a rave without my consent.’ Brian, being the smart cookie he is, didn’t let that scare him off completely. Instead, he took it as a wake-up call to get serious about his health while still wanting to chase podiums like the rest of us. In this episode, we explore how to balance the thrill of racing with the caution of listening to our bodies—because, let’s be real, ignoring those heart palpitations is a recipe for disaster. Brian shares his experience with getting screened, managing his condition, and the importance of being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to health concerns. Spoiler alert: it's not just about the next race; it's about longevity and living our best lives. Now, let’s pivot to a little something I like to call 'the supplement saga.' We took a detour to chat about a new product called CoreCtrl, which promises to help athletes manage their thermoregulation in warm environments. You know, the kind of environment where you feel like you’re running through a sauna. The twist? It actually has some science to back its claims, which is rare in the supplement world. We dig into the nitty-gritty of taurine, the star ingredient that claims to help you sweat like a fountain. But hold on a second, before you start chugging this stuff like it’s Gatorade, we discuss the caveats. There’s a lot to unpack, including the potential for increased fluid loss and the necessity of keeping those electrolytes in check. Because let’s face it, if you’re sweating buckets and not replacing those fluids, you might just turn into a dehydrated raisin. So, if you’re considering giving CoreCtrl a shot, make sure you're ready to play the hydration game. And just when you thought we’d wrap things up, we had a heartfelt discussion about the sport itself and the sobering reality of cardiac issues in endurance athletes. We reflect on how easy it is to brush off symptoms because, you know, we’re ‘fit’ and ‘healthy,’ right? Brian’s experiences serve as a wake-up call for all of us, especially as we age and our bodies start to throw us curveballs. The takeaway? Don’t ignore your body’s signals—get those check-ups and screenings done. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about crossing the finish line; it’s about what happens after that. So grab a protein bar, tune in, and let’s get serious about being fit and healthy, not just fit. Segments: [8:41]- Medical Mailbag: CoreCtrl [38:11]- Interview: Bryan Dunn Links

  7. Aug 7

    Ep. 203- The Great Tylenol Debate: Can It Really Boost Your Endurance?

    In this episode: So, guess what? This week we’re breaking the mold because there’s no guest interview—yep, you heard that right. After 203 episodes, I’m feeling a bit like a kid who shows up to school without their homework. But hey, life happens, right? Instead, we’re diving into a juicy medical mailbag question about the hot topic of whether Tylenol can actually boost your endurance performance. Spoiler alert: the answer isn’t exactly a mic drop moment. We’ll sift through some research that claims it could help, but don’t get too hyped; the benefits are as tiny as my patience during a slow group run. Plus, we’ll touch on some wild stories from the multisport world, including a heartbreaking loss and an awe-inspiring triumph, because, you know, we like to keep it real—life’s a rollercoaster, folks! Buckle up and let’s get into it! Segments: [10:39]- Medical Mailbag: Tylenol talk Links

  8. Jul 24

    Ep. 202- Hibiscus Tea and Ironman Dreams: Chasing Records and Recovery

    In this episode: Tom's story unfolds against the backdrop of the triathlon community, where camaraderie and competition intertwine. The episode explores his encounters with friends and family along the racecourse, where support comes in many forms—from a simple high-five to the presence of loved ones at the finish line. As he recounts the grueling yet exhilarating moments of racing, he emphasizes the importance of having a support system. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of inclusivity in triathlon, as Tom reflects on the changing landscape of the sport. He highlights initiatives aimed at making triathlon more accessible to underrepresented communities, showing that the journey toward inclusivity is ongoing. Through his personal anecdotes and community involvement, Tom inspires listeners to pursue their own goals while uplifting others in the process. In addition to Tom's personal journey, the episode delves into the science and health aspects of triathlon, featuring a segment on the benefits of hibiscus tea, a drink popular in many cultures, including Tom's own background. The conversation shifts to the medical mailbag, where the hosts explore whether hibiscus tea can aid in exercise recovery. Through a light-hearted yet informative discussion, they break down the evidence behind the claims, providing listeners with insights into nutrition and health for athletes. The episode masterfully intertwines personal narrative with scientific inquiry, leaving listeners with not only inspiration for their triathlon goals but also practical knowledge about their health and wellness. Tom's infectious enthusiasm and the hosts' engaging banter make this episode a must-listen for anyone in the multisport community. Segments: [7:18]- Medical Mailbag: Hibiscus tea [34:44]- Interview: Tom Scheer Links Thomas 's Facebook page@Xxltri on Instagram@Rahlowjenkins on X

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4.7
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47 Ratings

About

Jeff Sankoff is the TriDoc, a physician who will do the research so you don't have to in order to understand if any of those things marketed to endurance athletes can deliver close to what they promise. Before you put anything in or on your body, understand what the science says by listening to an expert who has done the work for you.

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