Description

Sponsor: RePowerU -- a free fitness practices assessment (a 10-minute questionnaire)

Matthew Smith, DC, CES

Dr. Matt Smith is a sports chiropractor, strength coach, and the founder of EverAthlete, an online strength training, injury prevention, and recovery resource for outdoor enthusiasts. Matt has been a trusted coach and consultant to some of the best athletes and highest performers in the world, helping them navigate injuries and perform at their best. 

EverAthlete website: https://www.everathlete.fit/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everathlete/?hl=en

Summary

During exercise, approximately 15% of the calories we burn is used for breathing.  That is oxygen that is unavailable for our muscles that propel us.  What if there was a way to be more efficient in breathing? What if that same skill in breathing would allow us to be more calm and recover faster?  To sleep better?  Wouldn’t that be a skill worth learning?

Overbreathing

• Caused by stress:  shallow chest breathing 
• Causes stress:  mouth breathing increases stress
• Poor breathing habits

How?

• Belly breathe
• Breath slower
• Nasal breathing
• Get comfortable

How to start

• Everyday life
• Low intensity exercise
• Push the envelope

Videos:

• Diaphragmatic Breath Video: Diaphragmatic Breathing
• Clear the nose to be able to breathe nasally: https://youtu.be/1IWWcyk3_jk
• Switching to nasal breathing during exercise (10-12 weeks): https://youtu.be/0gtlAAQzENw

——Notes on discussion with Matt (not a transcript)--

We are interested in understanding your perspective on how fitness impacts health and longevity, and on how health impacts fitness.

Matt is a sports chiropractor and strength coach.  Worked in athletic performance for 15 years.  Founded Everathlete….now an online platform focused on helping athletes improve outdoor pursuits:  hiking, swimming, biking, running.  Training programs and recovery programs.  Started with a focus on injury treatment and prevention for athletes…migrated into a performance training company designed to meet people where ever they are, and helping them get to where they want to go.  We use a wide variety of resources including strength training, soft tissue therapy, injury prevention techniques, breathwork (as a tool for recovery).

We will be recording two podcasts with Matt.  (1) breathwork and (2) performance training for adventure athletes including injury prevention.

Worked with a wide variety of athletes:  olympians and world champions, as well as many masters athletes.

Breathwork: Several books have come out in the last few years.  Oxygen Advantage, Breath are the most notable.

Q:  What is breathwork?

Breathwork is the practice of breathing to improve one’s health.  Used it heavily personally and with athletes.  Deliberate practice of breath to improve your state of being.