Please enjoy a great conversation with my friend and sprinting mentor Cynthia Monteleone, coming to you all the way from the beautiful big island of Hawaii.

A Team USA world champion sprinter, Cynthia is also a highly trained metabolic health analytics practitioner who coaches numerous Olympic athletes and world champion masters-level athletes, and she goes deep into the nuances of what delivers peak performance and helps people overcome health challenges to reach personal goals, especially weight loss and excelling in athletic goals.

In this episode, Cynthia tells us why chronic cardio might actually be hurting your health—and how training like a sprinter can lead to better longevity, hormones, and overall energy. We discuss the important principles outlined in Born to Walk and get into the damage that can happen to the heart from excessive endurance exercise, how living in that black hole heart rate zone keeps your body in fight or flight, and why you might be storing more visceral fat or throwing off your thyroid just from overtraining. Cynthia shares some eye-opening examples, like a fit masters track athlete who started marathon training and ended up with a heart attack—and we explore how too much endurance training can lead to electrical signaling issues in the heart and chronic inflammation.

We also push back on the grind-it-out mindset that’s become so common—where suffering and pain are glorified as signs of discipline. Instead, we highlight a more empowering, intelligent approach to fitness, based on sprinting, walking, lifting heavy things, and prioritizing recovery. This conversation is all about training smarter—not harder—for the long term.

 

TIMESTAMPS:

Fitness people may need to rethink their idea of what is good for the body. [04:25]

Brad talks about his participation in sports as a kid and his evolution into triathlon. It took a toll on his life. [06:48]

As a parent coach for the kids, is it effective to push the kids hard to teach them life's lessons? [10:38]

What are the lessons to be learned from this crazy running boom that we've had where people think that when they turn 40, they should run a marathon? [17:22]

Why do people think it is hard to sprint? [18:52]

What is the best way to balance your exercise regimen? [25:53]

A combination of walking and sprinting is preferable to steady state cardio. [33:12]

You can exercise the heart too much. [40:10]

There's a disconnect between mental strength and hurting yourself. [47:38]

All your training and all your fitness endeavors have to factor into the same equation as all the other forms of stress in your life. [51:06]

Is your training making you feel empowered or tired? [59:48]

 

LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
BradNutrition.com
B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!
Brad’s Shopping Page
BornToWalkBook.com
B.rad Podcast – All Episodes
Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes
B.rad Podcast – All Episodes
Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes
Brad's Podcast with Cynthia Monteleone
Fast Over Forty
MAM 808.org

 

We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:


B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein!


Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!


Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ!
Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD.


Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!


Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience


Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!

Please enjoy a great conversation with my friend and sprinting mentor Cynthia Monteleone, coming to you all the way from the beautiful big island of Hawaii.
A Team USA world champion sprinter, Cynthia is also a highly trained metabolic health analytics practitioner who coaches numerous Olympic athletes and world champion masters-level athletes, and she goes deep into the nuances of what delivers peak performance and helps people overcome health challenges to reach personal goals, especially weight loss and excelling in athletic goals.
In this episode, Cynthia tells us why chronic cardio might actually be hurting your health&mdash;and how training like a sprinter can lead to better longevity, hormones, and overall energy. We discuss the important principles outlined in Born to Walk and get into the damage that can happen to the heart from excessive endurance exercise, how living in that black hole heart rate zone keeps your body in fight or flight, and why you might be storing more visceral fat or throwing off your thyroid just from overtraining. Cynthia shares some eye-opening examples, like a fit masters track athlete who started marathon training and ended up with a heart attack&mdash;and we explore how too much endurance training can lead to electrical signaling issues in the heart and chronic inflammation.
We also push back on the grind-it-out mindset that&rsquo;s become so common&mdash;where suffering and pain are glorified as signs of discipline. Instead, we highlight a more empowering, intelligent approach to fitness, based on sprinting, walking, lifting heavy things, and prioritizing recovery. This conversation is all about training smarter&mdash;not harder&mdash;for the long term.
&nbsp;
TIMESTAMPS:
Fitness people may need to rethink their idea of what is good for the body. [04:25]
Brad talks about his participation in sports as a kid and his evolution into triathlon. It took a toll on his life. [06:48]
As a parent coach for the kids, is it effective to push the kids hard to teach them life's lessons? [10:38]
What are the lessons to be learned from this crazy running boom that we've had where people think that when they turn 40, they should run a marathon? [17:22]
Why do people think it is hard to sprint? [18:52]
What is the best way to balance your exercise regimen? [25:53]
A combination of walking and sprinting is preferable to steady state cardio. [33:12]
You can exercise the heart too much. [40:10]
There's a disconnect between mental strength and hurting yourself. [47:38]
All your training and all your fitness endeavors have to factor into the same equation as all the other forms of stress in your life. [51:06]
Is your training making you feel empowered or tired? [59:48]
&nbsp;
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bradnutrition.com/">BradNutrition.com</a></li>
<li><a href="about:blank">B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad&rsquo;s Shopping Page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://borntowalkbook.com/">BornToWalkBook.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">B.rad Podcast &ndash; All Episodes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://peluva.com/?view=cro-id28570">Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11VG9OIWDYDEN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YUxA6UoAabaT0qCyg3O2joFZDw8jKrQ8h3Slvy8Es0M7Kt_QomDoljROTVG1rSixx-II0vKMPamtVWkuQUf5pMM1F7ZWzyAFffHMmkyRGnojtOUu5hYbp4AMg5TYCjEs7SLiB0tHgmCsZlEOjWGoz8540x-a_7iC17mRFmQJPouAhJbj1buFkLazY8jWrdoJAnVol53XnHzKE0A4cw0n6lUG-iyD_DOrwl4mhASWf0w.laZgXJb8OzvjVxBaEkxLX7aSdyd4sQZybNL0SysGbtU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=outlive&amp;qid=1748894874&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=outlive%2Cstripbooks%2C151&amp;sr=1-1"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">B.rad Podcast &ndash; All Episodes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://peluva.com/?view=cro-id28570">Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/cynthia-monteleone-becoming-a-world-champion-sprinter-mom-and-holistic-health-tips-for-diet-supplementation-and-getting-fast-and-strong/">Brad's Podcast with Cynthia Monteleone</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fastover40/?hl=en">Fast Over Forty</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mam808.org/">MAM 808.org</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&amp;A shows, emailed to <a href="mailto:getoveryourselfpodcast@gmail.com">podcast@bradventures.com</a>. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!
Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn&rsquo;t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won&rsquo;t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://bradnutrition.com/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">B.rad Nutrition:</a> Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein!
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://peluva.com/?sscid=91k7_1q58j&amp;utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Peluva</a>: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://ketone.com/BRAD?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Ketone-IQ</a>&nbsp;Save 30% off your first subscription order &amp; receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ!
</li>
<li><a href="http://getstride.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://getstride.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744479083574000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2M5EotlxxWpksCKN7ZVyMD">Get Stride: </a>Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome &amp; blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.mitoredlight.com/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Mito Red Light:</a>&nbsp;Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Online educational courses:</a>&nbsp;Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/brad/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Primal Fitness Expert Certification</a>: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!
</li>
</ul>

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

 

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let&rsquo;s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It&rsquo;s time to B.rad!
&nbsp;

Brad Kearns, NY Times bestselling author and world #1 masters age 60+ high jumper, offers a fun and diverse mix of interviews with leading authors and health experts, and  how-to shows for peak performance, weight loss, personal growth, and longevity

The B.rad Podcast

Today, we've been conditioned to believe that accelerated aging is normal — that getting older means slowing down, losing our competitive edge, and watching others from the sidelines. Brad Kearns is living proof that's a lie. A New York Times bestselling author, former world #3 ranked professional triathlete, and current world-ranked masters high jumper and 400-meter runner, Brad is competing and excelling into his 60s.

The B.rad Podcast informs and inspires you to see what's possible at any age. Every episode cuts through the hype and misinformation on the topics that matter most: ancestral nutrition and diet strategies that strip body fat and restore energy; training methods that build strength, power, speed, and endurance without destroying your body; recovery protocols that keep you performing at your peak; and the mindset shifts that help you thrive as you age instead of simply survive. This show offers a refreshing alternative to slowing down, giving up, and fading away.

Whether you're a competitive athlete looking to extend your prime, someone battling fatigue and frustration with conventional health advice, or simply a person who refuses to go quietly into a slower, smaller life — the B.rad Podcast was built for you. No shortcuts. No hype. Just world-class guests and actionable tips to help you dial in all areas of healthy living and lifelong functional fitness.

Enjoy step-by-step actionable protocols from Brad, as well as prominent guests like Mark Sisson, Dr. Paul Saladino, Ben Greenfield, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Tommy Wood, Mark Manson, Katy Bowman, Gabby Reece, Cynthia Thurlow, and Melanie Avalon. Forget the age limitations. It's time to raise the bar. Visit BradKearns.com for free PDF resources, peak performance tools, and weekly insights delivered to your inbox.

Today, we've been conditioned to believe that accelerated aging is normal &mdash; that getting older means slowing down, losing our competitive edge, and watching others from the sidelines. Brad Kearns is living proof that's a lie.&nbsp;A New York Times bestselling author, former world #3 ranked professional triathlete, and current world-ranked masters high jumper and 400-meter runner, Brad is competing and excelling into his 60s.
The B.rad Podcast informs and inspires you to see what's possible at any age. Every episode cuts through the hype and misinformation on the topics that matter most: ancestral nutrition and diet strategies that strip body fat and restore energy; training methods that build strength, power, speed, and endurance without destroying your body; recovery protocols that keep you performing at your peak; and the mindset shifts that help you thrive as you age instead of simply survive. This show offers a refreshing alternative to slowing down, giving up, and fading away.
Whether you're a competitive athlete looking to extend your prime, someone battling fatigue and frustration with conventional health advice, or simply a person who refuses to go quietly into a slower, smaller life &mdash; the B.rad Podcast was built for you. No shortcuts. No hype. Just world-class guests and actionable tips to help you dial in all areas of healthy living and lifelong functional fitness.
Enjoy step-by-step actionable protocols from Brad, as well as prominent guests like Mark Sisson, Dr. Paul Saladino, Ben Greenfield, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Tommy Wood, Mark Manson, Katy Bowman, Gabby Reece, Cynthia Thurlow, and Melanie Avalon. Forget the age limitations. It's time to raise the bar. Visit BradKearns.com for free PDF resources, peak performance tools, and weekly insights delivered to your inbox.