Get ready to transform your athletic journey! In this episode of the Run Tri Bike Fireside Chat Podcast, hosts Aum Gandhi and Jason Bahamundi sit down with gut health expert, reiki master, ultra runner, and Ironman athlete Lauren Callahan. If you’ve been struggling to break through training plateaus, balance your mental health, or improve your energy levels, this discussion is packed with insights that can help you push past the barriers. Lauren Callahan opens up about her personal experience struggling for four years to run a marathon, only to have a breakthrough once she focused on healing her gut. Her story is inspiring for endurance athletes who know the grind of intense training but might not be seeing the results they’re striving for. With her book, Powerful, Not Tired, Lauren emphasizes how gut health was the game-changer that led her to complete multiple ultra-endurance events in one year — all while enhancing her sleep, mood, and energy levels. 💡 During the conversation, Lauren explains the critical link between gut health and mental well-being. Did you know that 90% of your body’s serotonin is produced in the gut? She shares how improving her gut health helped her manage depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, transforming not just her physical health but her mental resilience as well. Reiki, a form of energy healing, is also on the table. Lauren introduces how this practice, paired with her ‘Goddess First’ self-care principle, can help athletes stay balanced, emotionally and physically. By putting self-care at the forefront, endurance athletes can ensure they have the energy to give back to others and perform at their best. 🥗 Lauren breaks down a three-tiered approach to gut health for athletes: 1- Healing the gut through a nutrient-dense diet 2- Nurturing and building gut resilience 3- Supporting long-term health by managing stress and overall dietary balance For endurance athletes, gut health is critical not only for everyday life but also for performance during long training sessions and races. Lauren discusses how to balance nutrition needs during endurance events, where processed foods might be necessary but should be offset by stress management and consistent care for the gut. ⚡ The conversation wraps up with a fun rapid-fire segment on Lauren’s food preferences, influenced by her background as a pastry chef. She also shares practical tips on using homemade foods as race nutrition, and invites listeners to dive deeper into gut health by exploring her articles on RunTriMag.com. If you’re an endurance athlete looking for practical tools to improve your overall health, manage stress, and enhance performance, this episode is a must-listen! Be sure to check out Lauren’s insights on gut health and more at RunTriMag.com.