58: Hyrox Race Recap — Nutrition, Performance & GI Support

58: Hyrox Race Recap — Nutrition, Performance & GI Support

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my full Ottawa Hyrox race weekend, 2 days out all the way through race day and recovering after as a gut health Dietitian and endurance athlete.  The thing with endurance athletes including both long distance runners and hyrox athletes is that they often mismanage their carb load, or try something new on race day… and that’s where things can go sideways fast, especially for those of us with sensitive guts YOU’LL TAKEAWAY:  ✅ Race prep and strategy to ensure we stayed calm & confident  ✅ How I structured my carb load (without triggering symptoms) ✅  My exact race day fuelling plan—including carbs, hydration, and caffeine – for an evening race  ✅  The gut-friendly strategies that kept everything calm on race day ✅  And how I approached recovery to bounce back quickly — 👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️ 📌 Tune in Next: Milan Marathon Recap [https://pod.link/1809215958/episode/Y2Q1OWNmN2YtN2FiMi00YmFlLTgwOWMtMzU1MGY5YWQ5NmJj?view=apps&sort=popularity] 🚀 Want personalized support?Apply for 1:1 Coaching (IBS, Gut Health + Performance).  [https://gutfitnutrition.com/apply] — ✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/leighmerotto_rd/] 🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.gutfitnutrition.com/freebies]  🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.gutfitnutrition.com/shop-resources] — ENJOYING THE PODCAST? Your rating & review help this show get into the earbuds of more listeners navigating gut issues, IBS & fatigue. Scroll down in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, tap ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and write one quick sentence. Not sure what to say? Try: “I listen to this podcast because…” 🎧

57: Can You Trust AI For IBS & Gut Health Advice?

While AI can be a helpful tool, it lacks the clinical experience to make nutrition therapy recommendations, regulation and accountability and ability to assess safety of a recommendation. In today’s episode, we will discuss the main risks and considerations with using AI for health advice, and some key takeaways to use it safely should you choose to engage in AI based tools for your IBS and gut health management.  YOU’LL TAKEAWAY:  ✅ The main downsides to using AI for gut health & IBS advice (lack of regularity, lack of context, data collection & hallucinations) ✅ Why data collection with these large language models (LLM) is something you need to be aware of ✅ How lack of context can result in misleading or dangerous health information  ✅ How to navigate information online & use these tools more judiciously should you choose to — 👩🏻‍💻 REFERENCES: ⤵️ 1. https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-are-ai-hallucinations [https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-are-ai-hallucinations] 2. https://www.dietitians.ca/About/Learn-About-Dietitians [https://www.dietitians.ca/About/Learn-About-Dietitians] 3. https://hai.stanford.edu/news/be-careful-what-you-tell-your-ai-chatbot [https://hai.stanford.edu/news/be-careful-what-you-tell-your-ai-chatbot] 4. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.05382 [https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.05382] 5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735979/#sec3-nutrients-17-03828 [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735979/#sec3-nutrients-17-03828] 6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13244121/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13244121/] 7. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/dancing-with-the-devil/202506/how-emotional-manipulation-causes-chatgpt-psychosis [https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/dancing-with-the-devil/202506/how-emotional-manipulation-causes-chatgpt-psychosis] 8. https://www.cma.ca/healthcare-for-real/can-you-trust-ai-health-advice [https://www.cma.ca/healthcare-for-real/can-you-trust-ai-health-advice] — ✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/leighmerotto_rd/] 🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/freebies]  🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/shop-resources] 👩🏻‍⚕️ ⁠⁠⁠Apply For Coaching⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/apply] — ENJOYING THE PODCAST? Your rating & review help this show get into the earbuds of more listeners navigating gut issues, IBS & fatigue. Scroll down in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, tap ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and write one quick sentence. Not sure what to say? Try: “I listen to this podcast because…” 🎧

56: Your 6-Step IBS Relief Plan (Masterclass Recap & Q/A)

In this episode, I’m recapping highlights from my live masterclass, Break Free From IBS: Your 6-Step Roadmap to Lasting Relief.  If you missed it, don’t worry! I’ve pulled together the most important takeaways and I’ll be answering some of your top Q&A questions from the session.  I cover some pressing questions like:  ✅ Is there an autoimmune component of IBS? ✅ What is the vagus nerve? ✅ Which probiotics are best for IBS? ✅ + more! — Doors open with special bonuses to the Gut Harmony Method Program! 🎁 Apply by June 13 & get BonusTrainings + Extended Support (Valued $500) –  Grab the details + apply here.  [https://gutfitnutrition.com/ibs-and-gut-health] — ✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/leighmerotto_rd/] 🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/freebies]  🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/shop-resources] — ENJOYING THE PODCAST? Your rating & review help this show get into the earbuds of more listeners navigating gut issues, IBS & fatigue. Scroll down in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, tap ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and write one quick sentence. Not sure what to say? Try: “I listen to this podcast because…” 🎧

55: Finding Food Freedom With IBS — Angela's Story

Does it feel like your IBS and gut symptoms run your life? I can’t wait to share about my guest and today’s inspiring episode.  Angela is an amazing client of mine who is a fabulous example of someone who has put in consistent work to improve their digestive health and quality of life, and does not let fear of gut symptoms hold them back from life (travel, working out, social life). YOU’LL TAKEAWAY:  ✅ Angela’s health journey & what led her to realize her IBS symptoms weren’t normal and finally seak help ✅  The main changes she made with nutrition to improve her symptoms ✅  Key tools she uses to enjoy her busy life full of travel, hobbies & socializing without worrying about IBS and gut symptoms ✅   Plus a fun "would you rather" segment — 👤 TODAY’S GUEST: Angela Schneider Angela is a process improvement specialist, writer, and aspiring stand-up comedian based in Toronto, Ontario. 📌 Angela’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-schneider/] 📌  YouTube video [https://youtu.be/G_w5bXXVcRA?si=U9RjZxQhrnwxZ3Om] of her first ever live stand-up “Showcase” — 👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️ 👉 Ready for high touch IBS and gut health support too? Learn more and APPLY for Gut Harmony Method Program! [http://gutfitnutrition.com/ibs-and-gut-health] Special bonuses until June 13th! ✨ — ✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/leighmerotto_rd/] 🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/freebies]  🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/shop-resources] — ENJOYING THE PODCAST? Your rating & review help this show get into the earbuds of more listeners navigating gut issues, IBS & fatigue. Scroll down in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, tap ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and write one quick sentence. Not sure what to say? Try: “I listen to this podcast because…” 🎧

54: Non-Linear Goals: Breaking 20 Minutes in the 5K (Nutrition, Recovery & Mindset)

On November 24th, 2025, at the Holly Jolly Fun Run in Toronto, I ran 5 kilometres in under 20 minutes. It was a goal I set for myself over a year and a half before I reached it, and truthfully, the process did not go exactly as expected! As I learned so much through the journey, I wanted to share a full recap of the training, nutrition, recovery, and mindset lessons gained along the way!  YOU’LL TAKEAWAY:  ✅ Nutrition to prevent GI symptoms and fuelling for a happy gut ✅ Mindset support to see the positives in failed tries & why achieving goals is not linear! ✅ Balancing training to support progress & prevent burnout and injury ✅ What’s next: marathon, sub 19 minute 5K — 💡 Ready to take it further?👉 Get my Pre & Post Workout for a Happy Gut Mini Course + Resource Bundle [https://leigh-merotto.mykajabi.com/offers/SJFpCmbg/checkout] — 👩🏻‍💻 Resources that helped me understand balanced training: 📌 Ben Parkes YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BenParkes] 📌 80/20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald [https://amzn.to/4uGYUeK] 📌 Run Like a Pro (Even If You’re Slow) by Matt Fitzgerald [https://amzn.to/4eaLJN9] 📌 Chasing PRs Podcast [https://ottawarunningphysio.ca/chasing-prs-podcast/] 📌 Strength Running Podcast [https://strengthrunning.com/podcast/] — ✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️ 📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/leighmerotto_rd/] 🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/freebies]  🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/shop-resources] 👩🏻‍⚕️ ⁠⁠⁠Apply For Coaching⁠⁠⁠ [https://gutfitnutrition.com/apply] — ENJOYING THE PODCAST? Your rating & review help this show get into the earbuds of more listeners navigating gut issues, endurance goals, & fatigue. Scroll down in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, tap ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and write one quick sentence. Not sure what to say? Try: “I listen to this podcast because…” 🎧