# Episode 387: Nathan T. Jenkins on Metabolic Flexibility, Aerobic Base, and First Principles

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episode-387-nathan-t-jenkins-on-metabolic-flexibility-aerobic-base-and-first-principles
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episode-387-nathan-t-jenkins-on-metabolic-flexibility-aerobic-base-and-first-principles.md
Podcast: [Flex Diet Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/flex-diet-podcast-880226)
Published: 2026-06-02T20:58:44+00:00
Episode link: https://flex-diet-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-387-nathan-t-jenkins-on-metabolic-flexibility-aerobic-base-and-first-principles-pZ4r0v_i
Audio file: https://cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/53e3d261-c5f9-44f9-a22d-bab6ffed6551/2ea3e4d9-cc52-4227-aaaf-5243dca4406b/episodes/audio/group/65cfadbd-f525-49cf-9ec6-afc36c6fdd54/group-item/972e7650-4a92-4234-8c89-b6a0eb28420a/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_12E74LS
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episodes/episode-387-nathan-t-jenkins-on-metabolic-flexibility-aerobic-base-and-first-principles
Duration seconds: 5622

## Resource

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Nathan Jenkins to discuss how to improve performance, body composition, and long-term health through the lens of aerobic development and metabolic flexibility. Nathan shares his journey from exercise physiology and coaching CrossFit athletes to his new role teaching physiology at the University of Georgia School of Medicine. We discuss why metabolic flexibility is such a powerful framework for understanding everything from biochemistry and exercise performance to metabolic disease. We also dive into interpreting maximal exercise testing data, including VO₂ measurements, EKG analysis, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), along with how different energy systems work together during training and competition. Nathan explains why building an aerobic base is critical for repeated high-intensity performance, how pacing impacts outcomes, and why the ability to "suffer" is actually a trainable skill. To wrap up, we cover practical strategies you can apply right away, including prioritizing protein and carbohydrates, improving sleep quality, and addressing common micronutrient deficiencies through blood work, such as magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 status.

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episodes/episode-387-nathan-t-jenkins-on-metabolic-flexibility-aerobic-base-and-first-principles/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episode-387-nathan-t-jenkins-on-metabolic-flexibility-aerobic-base-and-first-principles.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.