WHOOP Podcast

On this week’s episode WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist Kristen Holmes is joined by WHOOP SVP, Research Algorithms, and Data Emily Capodilupo. The pair is here to talk about the link between sleep, stress, and blood pressure. Kristen and Emily will be talking about an upcoming study conducted by our team here at WHOOP, that you our listeners and members can be a part of. Kristen and Emily discuss an overview of the study (1:50), why we are conducting this study (4:32), the protocols of the study (12:14), the power of big data collections (22:34), breaking down stress (26:35), how anxiety impacts sleep (32:27), how we perceive stress (39:55), and understanding sleep patterns (49:16).Resources:Harvard Health: Stress ResponseWhat Happens to the Body During StressEmail Research StudyNavy Seal Box BreathingDr. Rangan Chatterjee: Breathing TechniquesSupport the show

On this week’s episode WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist Kristen Holmes is joined by Lori Locust. Lori is entering her sixth season coaching in the NFL and her second season with the Titans. Prior to arriving in Tennessee, she spent four seasons as an assistant defensive line coach at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where she won a Super Bowl in 2021. Kristen and Lori discuss preparing for the NFL season (3:01), learning a playbook (6:20), getting her first shot at coaching (9:27), Coach Lo’s perspective on the game (13:20), starting in the NFL (16:08), integrating with the Tampa Bay staff (28:10), Tom Brady joining the Buccaneers (28:10), preparation and mindset before the Super Bowl (32:07), Lo’s coaching style (34:32), defining success (36:42), shedding the stigma of “just ticking a box” (38:32), barriers for women in sport (41:04), the future of women in the NFL (46:57), meditation and self-reflection (50:04). Resources:Coach Lo’s Instagram Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by Jason McCarthy the Co-Founder and CEO of GORUCK. Jason served in Special Forces after 9/11. He founded GORUCK in West Africa with his wife Emily, a Case Officer for the CIA, and a napkin sketch for a rucksack that could thrive in Baghdad and NYC.  He also proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Green Beret Foundation. Will and Jason discuss how Jason joined the military (2:30), having accountability for the country (11:45), the idea for GORUCK (16:25), what is in a go bag (19:35), starting the business (21:20), defining rucking and its benefits (25:53), what’s next for GORUCK (31:28), baseline and extreme rucks (33:14), developing mental toughness (35:49), advice to future Green Berets (39:41), and how Jason uses WHOOP (41:36).Resources:GORUCK Website Support the show

As Women’s History Month comes to an end, we wanted to answer your questions around women’s health. Who better do that than WHOOP SVP, Data Science and Research, Emily Capodilupo. Emily answers questions about menstrual cycle physiology (2:05), how to use WHOOP to better understand your cycle (3:55), nutritional habits during your period (4:50), how cycles can impact HRV (6:35), supplements to take during your cycle (8:58), birth control methods (12:12), long-term impacts of birth control (14:45), birth control impacting athletic performance (16:08), preparing the body for pregnancy (21:03), and sleeping tips while pregnant (24:16).Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by rock climbing legend Alex Honnold. You probably know Alex from the incredible Netflix documentary Free Solo where Alex scaled the famous El Capitan mountain face. Alex joins us to discuss his next greatest challenge a route called, Bachelor Party, and it’s graded 9a/5.14d. This is going to be the most challenging climb of Alex’s career and he will be wearing WHOOP throughout his training and during the climb. Will and Alex discuss some major life updates from Alex (1:40), a day in the life for Alex (8:18), pulling back from free soloing (9:44), risk and consequence (12:56), dealing with negative thoughts (22:30), the flow state of climbing (25:24), how life has changed since becoming a father (29:44), getting nervous (32:15), Alex’s next challenge “The Road to 9a” (35:06), his hiking journal (48:21), and his role as a public figure (52:03).Support the show

On this week’s episode, with World Sleep Day right around the corner, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is here to guide you through a Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) session. This session will help you prepare for sleep and enter a state of relaxation to promote a higher quality night’s sleep. If you are a WHOOP member, you can track this activity in the WHOOP app. So be sure to have that activity started as you listen to this episode. Kristen will explain what NSDR is (1:30), the numerous benefits of NSDR (2:26), and lead listeners on a guided NSDR session (3:54).Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD. Dr. Feldman Barrett is a University Distinguished Professor of psychology at Northeastern University with appointments at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). She is among the top 1% most-cited scientists worldwide over the past five years and has authored two best-selling science books, How Emotions are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain and Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain. Kristen and Dr. Feldman Barrett discuss how Dr. Feldman Barrett got started in the field (3:35), realizing her research was taking shape (11:56), the human brain (16:25), modernity impacting brain evolution (24:17), affect and arousal (42:17), Seven and a Half Lessons on the Brain (53:41), people thinking about emotions (55:22), and what Dr. Feldman Barrett is obsessing over (1:00:39).Resources:Dr. Feldman Barrett's Website  Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by one of the most successful real estate brokers in the world. You may have seen him on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing or read one of his best-selling books. Real estate broker, CEO, and founder of SERHANT, Ryan Serhant is here to discuss his latest book Brand It Like Serhant, as well as his views on health and wellness and high performance. Will and Ryan discuss Ryan using WHOOP (2:00), getting started with Million Dollar Listing (3:33), the line between performing and being authentic (8:45), being comfortable under pressure (13:45), launching SERHANT (15:12), Ryan’s work ethic (21:24), Brand It Like Serhant (26:12), starting to build a brand (33:24), Ryan’s focus on health and fitness (37:52).Resources:Ryan's Website Brand It Like SerhantSupport the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by performance coach Steve Tashjian. Steve Tashjian is a world-renowned high-performance expert with decades of experience in elite sport, managing teams, and high performers. He has prepared triathletes for the Kona Ironman, boxers for world title fights, teams to play Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League, and the U.S. Men’s Team (USMNT) for the World Cup in 2022. Kristen and Steve will discuss how Steve got into sport and high performance (2:08), how he defines high performance (9:15), organizations reacting to stress (14:38), managing performance for the USMNT (18:46), working for Everton FC (24:23), managing the complex nature of an organization and its players (31:50), mitigating pressure (40:31), curiosity and risk leading to high performance (48:44), coaching teams vs individuals (55:52), and where things go wrong for organizations and individuals (1:05:19).Resources:Steve’s LinkedInSteve’s InstagramElevation ProjectSupport the show

 It is Super Bowl week and once again WHOOP Founder and CEO, Will Ahmed, is joined by the incredible Bobby Stroupe. Bobby is the Founder of Athlete Performance Enhancement Center (APEC) and is the trainer of two-time Super Bowl Champion, Patrick Mahomes. Coach Stroupe and his team have worked with and supported over 300 professional athletes across 6 different sports including World Series Champions, Super Bowl Champions, and first-round picks in both the NFL and MLB. Will and Bobby discuss how Bobby started working with Patrick (3:15), their “gymnastica” training style (6:05), tapping into the flow state (8:53), dealing with sleep and recovery throughout the season (10:43), preparing for gameday and the playoffs (14:53), sleep efficiency vs sleep duration (27:50), similarities between the Chiefs and the Patriots (29:19), Bobby’s thoughts on the 49ers (35:01), and understanding different play styles (37:26).Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by orthopedic surgeon and longevity expert Dr. Vonda Wright. The double board-certified orthopedic sports medicine surgeon has over 20+ years of experience working with athletes and leaders across the sports and business industries. Kristen and Dr. Vonda will discuss Dr. Vonda’s mission (4:10), if aging is a disease (8:25), investing in longevity (11:33), exercising for longevity (16:01), how age and sex impact longevity (22:25), healthy muscle tissue leading to longevity (24:10), nutrition’s impact on aging (28:11), tactics to changing behaviors (36:40), and life as a surgeon and team doctor (48:37).Resources:Dr. Vonda's Website Support the show

On this week’s episode, we have some special guest hosts for you! Earlier this month, we were down in Miami at Wodapalooza and our good friends, the Buttery Bros took over the mic to chat with some of our favorite WHOOP-wearing athletes like Annie Thorisdottir, Katrín Davíðsdóttir, and Haley Adams. The Buttery Bros kick things off with Annie and Katrin discussing the pair’s upcoming women’s health initiative (2:50), using data throughout training (6:33), improving sleep habits (7:55), training and staying active while pregnant (10:40), keeping the competitive fire alive (14:18), and Annie and Katrin’s plans for 2024 (15:42). The Buttery Bros then welcome on Haley Adams to discuss how she uses data to train throughout her season (18:48), getting back to competition after time off (19:58), changes to Haley’s training (21:20), Haley’s goals moving forward (22:45), new habits and passions Haley is developing for balance (24:15), creating a more structured training program (27:10), inspiring the younger generation (28:20), feeling inspired to train again (29:50), and how Haley uses WHOOP (31:05).Resources:The Buttery Bros on InstagramAnnie Thorisdottir on InstagramKatrín Davíðsdóttir on InstagramHaley Adams on Instagram Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP SVP of Data Science and Research Emily Capodilupo is here to answer YOUR questions. We have seen several questions in our inbox about sleep, recovery, and creatine. Emily will discuss sleep supplements and interruptions (1:45), dealing with shift work and reverse schedules (5:55), the correlation between sleep and HRV (13:27), getting the most out of your creatine program (19:42), creatine impacting recovery (21:35), and taking creatine at night (24:27). Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Angela Foster. Angela is an award-winning nutritionist, health & performance coach, keynote speaker and host of The High-Performance Health Podcast. Kristen and Angela will discuss Angela transitioning from a lawyer to a high-performance coach (3:45), the drive to start looking after yourself (9:33), creating a new identity (14:05), expanding goals and knowledge (17:36), training your self-awareness (22:15), aligning goals to who we want to be (26:35), the process of BioSyncing (29:37), improving nervous system balance (32:19), ensuring everything is in alignment (37:38), women measuring success and growth opportunities in business (42:13), obstacles women face (47:13), how to ask for help (50:01), and using data in health and wellness (55:09).Resources:Angela's WebsiteSupport the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is going to talk all things January Jumpstart. That’s right Kristen is here to break down our January Jumpstart in-app challenge, and how you can take control of your year by working on your personal readiness. Kristen discusses the January Jumpstart Challenge (1:40), the meaning of personal readiness (4:05), understanding your identity (6:57), aligning your values (14:37), the power of anchors (18:33), and how to identify your outlets (23:15). Resources:Personal Readiness Exercises Support the show

We are wrapping up the year on this week's episode and revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year. Throughout the year we spoke to NBA Champions, Military Veterans, DJs, CEOs, and leading experts across numerous fields of research and human performance. We also had fantastic episodes around key product updates and features. Hear from Zedd on how he committed to fitness (2:30), Dr. Susanna Søberg on her principle and the power of cold therapy (5:05), James Nestor on how to get started with nasal breathing (7:57), Matt Mullenweg on biohacking and how mental clarity leads to high performance (10:40), Dr. Jessica Shepherd on being an active participant in the transition of menopause (13:33), Jason Kander on dealing with PTSD (16:06), Melissa Urban on setting boundaries and creating new habits (21:14), Ken Rideout on how running and training is an outlet to combat addiction (23:05), and Steven Bartlett on the power of absurdity in marketing (26:31).Resources:Melissa Urban - 206Dr. Susanna Søberg - 207Dr. Jessica Shepherd - 211Stress Monitor - 215Strength Trainer - 219James Nestor - 221Matt Mullenweg - 225Jason Kander - 235Ken Rideout - 236WHOOP Coach - 240Steven Bartlett - 242Zedd - 247Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Darren Candow. Darren is the Professor and Director of the Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina, Canada. Kristen and Darren will discuss creatine’s surge in popularity (3:00), creatine’s role within the body (4:48), the best ways to produce creatine (5:56), the benefits of creatine (8:16), the safety aspect of creatine (19:25), kids using creatine (21:15), benefits for the brain and sleep (23:42), bone health (33:00), topical creatine and anti-aging (36:54), the biggest myths about creatine (40:30), if the timing of creatine matters (43:37), and what Darren is obsessing over (47:14).Resources:Dr. Darren's Instagram January Jumpstart Sign UpSupport the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by WHOOP SVP of Data Science and Research, Emily Capodilupo. The pair are talking all things Year in Review for 2023. Take a deep dive into the data from WHOOP members across the globe, and learn how you can unlock your human performance. Will and Emily will discuss the year at large at WHOOP (1:55), the top trending activities in the WHOOP Community (6:45), the top Strength Trainer exercises (15:05), the top questions asked to WHOOP Coach (16:01), WHOOP members committing to Recovery (16:13), journal behaviors on the rise in 2023 (24:17), sex trends across the WHOOP Community (28:48), and how stress impacted WHOOP members throughout 2023 (30:17).Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Jay Wiles. Dr. Jay is a clinical health psychologist, currently working as the Health Behavior Coordinator at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC and the Greenville Outpatient VA Clinic. He also shares his insight and tips on his podcast titled, Mindhacker’s Radio. Kristen and Jay will discuss how mental health impacts the autonomic nervous system (6:08), how stress influences HRV (11:50), behaviors enabling the balance of the nervous system (18:00), the relationship perspective (24:45), controlling your own nervous system (29:23), self-regulation techniques (35:24), residence frequency breathing (44:18), the power of mitochondria (46:52), and Jay’s hormesis research (52:04).Resources:Dr. Jay's Website Support the show

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by Dr. Aric Prather. Aric is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. He co-directs the UCSF Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center, is the Interim Director for the UCSF Center for Health and Community, and serves as a clinician at the UCSF Insomnia Clinic. He is also the author of The Sleep Prescription, a book that offers a simple yet powerful plan to improve your sleep in seven days. Kristen and Aric will discuss the AME Research Center (2:39), sleep impacting immune function (5:37), the connection between sleep and metabolic health (13:13), restrictive eating windows and sleep (19:51), The Sleep Prescription (25:25), labeling the worry (37:38), debunking sleep myths (42:11).Resources:Dr. Prather's Website The AME Research Center Support the show