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Candice Dutko, owner of Achieve Wellness and Fitness in Mountaintop, Pennsylvania, shares her remarkable journey from 220 pounds to becoming both a competitive strongwoman and ultra-marathon runner with a mindset of "just keep moving."

• From unhealthy lifestyle to fitness professional after being invited to a Spartan Race with friends
• A broken leg caused by her dog became the turning point in her fitness consistency
• Trains simultaneously for seemingly opposite disciplines: strongman competitions and ultra marathons
• Working with a mindset coach to develop mental strategies for pushing through physical barriers
• Creating a gym environment where women of all ages discover their strength, many lifting for the first time
• Hosting women-focused strongman competitions with accessible events for beginners
• Preparing for a 24-hour ultra-marathon with a goal of 120 miles
• Using "systems checks" during endurance events to assess if she can continue
• Emphasizing that "you can have excuses or you can have results, but you can't have both"
• Showing clients what's possible by leading by example in multiple fitness disciplines

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John Katalinas hosts a candid conversation with Mike Nowicki and Dale Wittlief about aging, health challenges, and finding community through sports in midlife and beyond.

• Mike shares his experience retiring from banking right before COVID hit, disrupting his plans for an active retirement
• Dale reflects on his 39-year career before starting his own business
• Both guests open up about their pickleball journey and how the sport has connected them with a welcoming community
• Dale courageously shares his recent medical emergency with BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) and urges men not to ignore prostate symptoms
• The group discusses dietary changes needed when managing health conditions like diabetes and prostate issues
• Conversation highlights how tomatoes (high in lycopene) and reducing red meat can support prostate health
• John explains how continuous glucose monitoring transformed his diabetes management
• The men reflect on the importance of staying active despite aging challenges
• All three emphasize the mental health benefits of finding community through recreational sports
• The episode concludes with a powerful message about gratitude and appreciating the ability to remain active

If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on social media, or leave a review. Follow us on Instagram at masters athlete survival guide.

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Claire Shorenstein MS RD CSSD, registered dietitian and board-certified sports dietitian, joins us to share evidence-based nutrition strategies for masters athletes of all types, debunking common myths while offering practical guidance for optimal performance.

• Difference between registered dietitians (RDs) and nutritionists – RDs complete extensive education, unpaid internships, board exams and continuing education
• What "being fueled" actually feels like – energy to complete workouts, proper recovery, stable mood, and good sleep quality
• Caffeine can be beneficial as a performance aid but shouldn't replace proper nutrition
• Under-fueling impacts hormones across all ages and genders, not just women in midlife
• Food journaling without calorie counting helps identify patterns and nutrition gaps
• Most people feel best eating every 3-4 hours with strategic snacks
• Carbohydrates remain essential for performance, particularly for high-intensity efforts
• Experimenting with nutrition changes should be done gradually with attention to how your body responds
• Proper fueling involves getting ahead of hunger, especially during competition days
• Pre-competition nutrition should be planned carefully based on timing and individual tolerance

Check out Claire's podcast, Eat for Endurance, as well as her free resources at eatforendurance.com, including nutrition guides and her affordable membership program.

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Kyle Sheridan, powerlifting coach and gym owner, shares valuable insights on how masters athletes can safely and effectively engage in powerlifting to maintain strength and mobility as they age.

• Mental strength is a common denominator among successful masters athletes
• Recovery is crucial - most masters athletes benefit from training only 3-4 days per week
• One of Kyle's 50+ female athletes broke world records deadlifting 529 pounds
• Powerlifting movements help build skeletal muscle and improve balance to prevent falls
• Protein intake should be 0.8-1g per pound of bodyweight for strength athletes
• Creatine monohydrate (5-10g daily) is recommended for all strength athletes
• Competition provides motivation and goals - the powerlifting community is extremely supportive
• Post-competition recovery should include at least a week off from barbell movements
• Food preparation doesn't need to be complicated but should be sustainable
• Masters athletes shouldn't fear starting powerlifting - it's never too late to begin

Follow Kyle on Instagram @sheridanstrength or visit thestrengtcrew.com to learn more about his coaching services.

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Mark Thill shares his lifetime journey as a dedicated athlete across multiple sports and how his passion for excellence became the foundation for his coaching philosophy. His story exemplifies how maintaining athletic pursuits throughout life can lead to extraordinary physical capabilities even in our 60s.

• Beginning with basketball in sixth grade and developing a 44-inch vertical jump through persistent practice
• Competing in arm wrestling using innovative training techniques like bicycle inner tube resistance training
• Experiencing windsurfing as a true addiction that occasionally required divine intervention to moderate
• Developing profound training wisdom including resting heart rate monitoring and listening to body signals
• Discovering the power of proper nutrition for recovery after physically demanding activities
• Finding unexpected rehabilitation through pickleball after foot surgeries left him with limited mobility
• Coaching others with an approach focused on meeting athletes where they are rather than imposing rigid standards

The journey matters more than the destination. Mark emphasizes that his most euphoric moments haven't been his personal achievements, but rather helping others improve physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

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Check out John's YouTube channel Empowered Strength and IG @empowered strength for more of his ideas and insights

John Odden shares his journey as a Highland Games competitor, fitness professional, and movement enthusiast who's discovered the key to athletic longevity after 40.

• Background in healthcare, cardiac rehab, and multiple strength sports including Highland Games and stone lifting
• Importance of technical precision in training as we age to reduce wear and tear on the body
• Moving in all directions and planes to maintain mobility and function
• Training more frequently but with shorter, more focused sessions
• Combining structured training with unscripted play to maintain athletic joy
• Prioritizing animal-based nutrition with strategic carbohydrates for performance
• Finding your optimal body weight for both health and athletic performance
• Taking a mindful approach to supplementation focused on basics like creatine and magnesium
• Including family in health and training goals creates sustainable lifestyle changes
• Maintaining childlike movement curiosity while respecting your body's changing needs

Stay tuned for a future episode including John's guide on realistic weight cutting for competitions that works for both men and women.

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John "Rock Man" Johnson shares his journey from childhood athlete to desk job worker to internationally connected stone lifter, revealing how this ancient practice transformed both his physical strength and mental resilience.

• Early athletic career playing baseball and football before losing interest in fitness during young adulthood
• Family connection to Hollywood through uncle Pat Johnson, martial arts expert and fight choreographer for films like Karate Kid
• The pivotal moment when seeing an unflattering photo prompted his return to fitness
• Discovering rock lifting by chance while hiking in the woods
• Finding mentors like Ross Enemayat, Bud Jeffries, and Scott Sonnen who shaped his fitness philosophy
• How stone lifting helped him develop mental toughness during challenging life transitions
• Connecting with a worldwide community of stone lifters through social media
• The various cultural traditions of stone lifting found across Scotland, Ireland, Asia and beyond
• His ongoing quest to discover a historic Erie Canal lifting stone during the canal's bicentennial year
• The technical aspects of approaching and lifting awkwardly shaped natural stones

Join us outdoors this spring to experience stone lifting firsthand and connect with this ancient test of strength!

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This episode explores the inspiring journey of Jesse Titus, who shares his experiences as a master's athlete facing health challenges, including an AFib diagnosis. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support, mental resilience, and adapting one's athletic goals for sustainable well-being and longevity.

• Jesse's background and athletic journey, transitioning from strongman competitor to mindful athlete
• The significance of community in supporting athletic growth and health
• Personal health challenges, including Jesse's diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• Navigating the balance between competing and caring for one's body
• Setting new fitness goals while focusing on long-term health and well-being
• The power of sharing experiences and learning from one another in the athletic community
• Encouragement for listeners to prioritize their health and seek help proactively

If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media or leave a review.

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New episodes come out every other Thursday!