In this powerhouse episode recorded backstage at the Health Optimisation Summit, Zane sits down with the legendary Brad Kearns—former professional triathlete, bestselling author, and now world-ranked track athlete in the over-60 division. Brad shares how he ran a 60-second 400-meter sprint just days after turning 60 and what he's learned about fueling, training, and recovery along the way.
From debunking diet dogma to breaking down the difference between HIIT and real sprinting, this episode is a deep dive into how to train smarter, not harder as you age. Brad opens up about his personal journey from restrictive ketogenic eating to a more intuitive, performance-based diet—think red meat, fruit, and nutrient density over macros and restrictions.
He and Zane discuss why elite athletes don't use restrictive diets, the misunderstood role of glucose, and how to use sprinting to turn your body into a fat-burning machine long after the workout ends. This conversation is packed with clarity, laughs, and truth bombs that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about longevity, health, and fitness after 50.
🎧 Hit play to learn why training like an athlete means fueling like one too—and how you can apply these principles at any age.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- Why elite athletes don't follow restrictive diets
- How stress from fasting and low-carb dieting can backfire
- The truth about glucose, insulin, and metabolic flexibility
- How sprinting triggers powerful hormonal changes that burn fat all day
- Why most cardio and HIIT routines are actually making people more tired
- What Brad eats daily (hint: red meat, fruit, and dark chocolate)
- Why walking might be your best tool for longevity
🎧 Hit play to learn why training like an athlete means fueling like one too—and how you can apply these principles at any age.
Links:
Connect with Zane:
Quick Episode Summary:
- 00:00 – Brad's world rankings and running 60 seconds at 60
- 02:00 – From triathlete to sprinter: redefining health and fitness
- 05:00 – What elite athletes actually eat and why restrictive diets don't work
- 08:00 – Zane's crash from dieting + fasting while trying to perform
- 14:00 – Fasting vs. sprinting: autophagy and recovery
- 17:00 – Brad's wake-up call: high fasting glucose on keto
- 21:00 – Zane shares his results from reintroducing carbs
- 24:00 – The flawed "calories in, calories out" model
- 26:00 – HIIT vs. true sprinting—and how they affect fat burning
- 34:00 – How sprinting boosts hormone function and burns fat all day
- 38:00 – Brad's go-to recovery foods: meat, fruit, sourdough, and chocolate
- 43:00 – Clean eating without obsession—recovering from carb-phobia
- 46:00 – What really caused the obesity epidemic? (Hint: seed oils)
- 48:00 – Final thoughts and where to find Brad online
Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a 5-star review to help more people optimize their health after 50. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a game-changing conversation.
