Fast Talk 401: The Further Initiative — What Female Ultra Research Is Teaching Us About Fueling, Recovery, and Performance
Dec 11, 2025
Dr. Trent Stellingworth, Chief Performance Officer at the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, and Dr. Hannah Caldwell, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC, dive into groundbreaking research on female ultra-endurance athletes. They explore the unique fueling and recovery needs of these athletes, revealing caloric burn levels that reach 11,000 kcal/day and emphasizing the importance of individualized nutrition strategies. The discussion highlights embracing psychological resilience, real food preferences, and the critical gaps in female-specific sports research. Their insights challenge traditional practices, paving the way for better support in women's athletics.
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Wrap Support Around Existing Coaching
- Integrate athletes' existing coaches while offering bespoke support in physiology, nutrition, and mental performance before big events. Use baseline testing to inform tailored plans rather than overriding proven athlete routines.
Unprecedented Energy Expenditure
- The study recorded female total energy expenditures up to ~11,000 kcal/day for six days, among the highest ever measured. Such extreme expenditure produced consistent acute energy deficits averaging ~2,500 kcal/day.
Match Carb Intake To Intensity
- Fuel for event intensity and individual oxidation patterns rather than fixed absolute rules like 120 g/h for everyone. Start around 60 g/h, test in training, and adjust to tolerance and caloric demands.