72: Is Stress Wrecking Your Training? What the Data Says and What to Do About It

<p>Stress is higher. Life feels heavier. And if your training, recovery, nutrition, or patience feels different lately…you’re probably not imagining it.</p><p>In this episode of the Endurance Eats Podcast, I’m sitting down <strong>in person</strong> with returning guest <a href="https://skadisportpsychology.com/"><u>Erin Ayala</u></a> of Skadi Sport Psychology to talk about what increased stress actually does to us as athletes and why trying to simply “push through” isn’t always the answer.</p><p>Erin and I recorded this one during a mini work-and-riding retreat in Cuyuna, Minnesota, after putting in plenty of miles on the bike (and after I got a very unexpected new max heart rate on some beginner singletrack 😅).</p><p>But the real reason I wanted to have this conversation is something I’ve been noticing in my own work: <strong>this year feels different.</strong></p><p>I’ve seen more athletes dealing with stress, uncertainty, disrupted routines, and situations that make nutrition and training harder than usual. Erin has been seeing it too.</p><p>So we’re digging into what happens when life stress piles on top of training stress and, more importantly, what you can actually do about it.</p><p>We talk about adjusting expectations during high-stress seasons, why self-compassion isn’t the same as “going soft,” and how social connection can play a major role in resilience.</p><p>Then we nerd out on <strong>heart rate variability (HRV)</strong>: what it actually measures, why you shouldn’t compare your HRV to someone else’s, and how Erin is using HRV biofeedback and breathing techniques to help athletes train their nervous systems.</p><p>If you love data, endurance training, recovery, or understanding <em>why your body is doing what it’s doing</em>, you’re going to love this conversation.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What You&#39;ll Learn</strong></p><ul><li><p>Why increased life stress can change how you show up in training, nutrition, work, and relationships</p></li><li><p>The connection between <strong>stress, loneliness, and recovery</strong></p></li><li><p>Why your usual training load might suddenly feel harder even when the workouts haven’t changed</p></li><li><p>How to recalibrate your expectations instead of assuming you need more discipline or willpower</p></li><li><p>The three pieces of self-compassion Erin wants athletes to understand</p></li><li><p>Why social support can be a powerful tool for managing stress</p></li><li><p>How coaches and providers can