S1E7: Iron Deficiency in Endurance Athletes : What You Need to Know

Iron deficiency sneaks up on endurance athletes—and I’ve felt it. 

In this episode, we break down why it happens (diet gaps, sweat loss, foot-strike hemolysis, heavy training) and how to fix it for good. You’ll learn what ferritin and hemoglobin really tell you, why heme iron absorbs differently than plant sources, and when smart supplementation makes sense. Beyond labs, it’s about training wiser, recovering deeper, and fueling with intent—so you stay strong, stay consistent, and keep stacking PRs.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

02:20 Cultural Factors Contributing to Iron Deficiency

11:49 Scientific Causes of Iron Deficiency

14:52 The Importance of Iron for Athletic Performance

19:36 Getting Your Blood Tested for Iron Levels

22:25 The Role of Ferritin in Iron Storage

35:32 Understanding Iron Saturation Levels

39:06 Ferritin Levels and Storage Space for Iron

41:27 Role of Hemoglobin and Hematocrit in Oxygen Transport

51:39 Diet Culture and Iron Deficiency

55:06 Supplementation and Managing Iron Levels

01:00:45 Concluding Thoughts on Iron and Performance

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Bat City Track Club is an emerging national class and regionally elite team with a primary focus on distances 5,000m to the marathon.

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