Eat. Ride. Endure. Kelsey Urban's Nutrition Playbook

Send us Fan MailIn episode #186 we chat with pro mountain biker and US National Team member, Kelsey Urban about her journey into mountain biking as a kid, to competing at the highest levels globally. We delve into her training, race strategies, and her nuanced approach to nutrition and recovery that balances performance with life enjoyment.KEY TOPICSCross-country mountain biking events and race strategies, nutrition and fueling tacticsManaging recovery and sleep post-racePractical tips for weather adaptation and travel between time zonesInsights into the mental health advocacy and growth of women in cyclingThe evolution of sports supplements and common trendsPlease note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.ABOUT KELSEY URBAN:Riding her mountain bike since she was a kid, Kelsey Urban has grown into one of the best cross country mountain bike riders in the country, breaking into the top 10 of the UCI World Series in 2025 and riding for the US National team in 2025 and 2026. Riding professionally since 2017, Kelsey also attended Stanford and is an advocate for mental health, athlete development and the growth of women’s cycling. FREE RESOURCES:Carb Loading Guide: https://mailchi.mp/nutritional-revolution/free-carb-loading-guideCarbs for Racing Cheat Sheet: https://mailchi.mp/nutritional-revolution/carbs-for-racingFOLLOW KELSEY:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyurban/MENTIONED:NICA: https://nationalmtb.org/Maurten: https://amzn.to/3RJ2tT8Thorne Supplements on Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannellThe Touchpoint Solution: https://go.shopmy.us/p-62210068Plasmaide, Available on The Feed: https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolutionTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction to Kelsey Urban’s background and career highlights01:41 - How Kelsey got into mountain biking & her childhood influences03:43 - Explanation of Olympic cross-country mountain biking disciplines04:56 - Race durations and strategies for short track vs. cross-country events06:26 - Transition from childhood biking to professional racing & team experiences07:50 - Rise of women in cycling and team growth over years10:07 - Kelsey’s journey through high school sports and early competitions13:32 - Pre-race fueling strategies for short track and cross-country races14:45 - The importance of carbohydrate loading and digestion considerations16:41 - Balancing fats, proteins, and carbs for season-long performance18:09 - Adjusting nutrition for hot weather and multi-day events20:25 - Pre-race meal examples and mental preparation techniques22:28 - Post-race recovery nutrition and hydration practices23:28 - Managing sleep and relaxation after intense competition26:57 - Supplements like tart cherry, magnesium—do they make a difference?29:21 - Strategies for adapting to jet lag and time zone transitions31:06 - Nutritional planning for race day, hydration, and race gear42:38 - Race-day in-race nutrition and hydration routines47:32 - Final revelations on her two truths and lie & future race plans50:02 - How professional athletes view trends and the importance of trusting oneselfMORE NRApply to work with Kyla → https://p.bttr.to/3ZrwzcFUse code NEWPOD10 for 10% off our meal plans → https://nutritional-revolution.com/products/CONNECT Instagram → www.instagram.com/nutritionalrevolutionSponsorship inquiries → [email protected] in having your biomarkers or nutrigenomics checked? Email us at [email protected] TRUSTED RESOURCES Supplements (save 20%) → https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannellFeed Club ($20 off) → https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolutionKyla's top picks → https://shopmy.us/shop/nutrevFollow us @nutritionalrevolution