
Episode #19
Ep. 18 – Your gut on the move: the science of digestion and fuel during exercise, with Dr. Patrick B. Wilson
A wave of nausea mid-run, the urgent dash to the loo before or during a competition, a stitch that stops you in your tracks… Ever wondered why your gut turns against you during exercise? In this episode, Dr. Patrick B. Wilson helps us reconcile with our gut when we work out. An Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Old Dominion University and registered dietitian, Patrick has dedicated his career to answering burning gut questions. He is also the author of The Athlete's Gut - the only book written specifically on how exercise, diet, and psychology interact with gut function. In our science segment, Patrick walks us through what the gut is and why it's so much more than a digestive tube. He explains what happens when blood rushes away from the gut toward muscles, why some forms of exercise (like running) tend to cause more symptoms than others, and how hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle shape what the gut does during exercise. Patrick, Greg, and Charlie will then go on to discuss how we should eat and drink around exercise in practice. Including: The basic foundations of a gut-friendly exercise diet (21:15) Are probiotics a valuable food supplement? (23:08) What is the role of carbohydrates during exercise? (27:10) How to approach hydration for 90+ minute workouts (29:20) When to consider a low FODMAP diet (32:50) Finally, in the experience section, we hear from listeners with their own gut dilemmas: how to know when sodium and hydration actually start to matter; what to do when the heat makes your usual run feel impossible; how to minimise nausea at max effort; and is running fasted before breakfast actually recommended? If you'd like to send us your health questions for future episodes, you can email us a voice note or write in at themethod@thriva.co To Explore Further: Patrick Wilson - The Athlete's Gut Patrick Wilson - ODU Faculty profile Greg Potter - Website Greg Potter - Instagram Thriva - Website About Thriva: Thriva is a proactive health platform built for the modern age. The promise of longevity often comes with years spent in poor health. We want to bridge the gap between lifespan – how long we're living – and healthspan – how well we're living. We combine powerful at-home blood testing with wearable insights and expert guidance. So you can know exactly what's going on inside your body – and what to do about it – before issues arise. With this podcast, we hope to bring listeners confidence in everyday health decisions. To learn more about Thriva's values and services, visit https://thriva.co/

