January 12, 2016
39-year-old cyclist Svein Tuft, pictured above, is known as one of the most tenacious, tough and aggressive professional cyclists in the Tour De France.
His name has become synonymous with a spirit of against-all-odds tenacity, and perhaps most amazingly, he began entry into the world of professional cycling many years later than most riders have their first race. It was an unorthodox start to his professional career.
His name has become synonymous with a spirit of against-all-odds tenacity, and perhaps most amazingly, he began entry into the world of professional cycling many years later than most professional cyclists have their first race.
So Svein is one unorthodox guy.
He's also a friend of Barry Murray, the ketosis expert, fat-burning efficiency coach, and endurance athlete who joined me as a podcast guest for the episode Five Simple Steps To Turning Yourself Into A Fat Burning Machine.
And perhaps because of that connection, Svein has some other interesting techniques that you'll discover in this episode, including:
-Why Svein began his entry into the world of professional cycling many years later than most riders have their first race…
-The unconventional diet Svein follows…
-As an “older” competitor, Svein's most effective recovery tools and techniques…
-How Svein handles the mental pain of cycling…
-Svein's special routines and habits…
-And much more!
Do you have questions, comments or feedback for Svein or me about this episode? Leave your thoughts below and one of us will reply!
I’d like to take a moment and thank Jeff for helping me get through a tough time lately on calmerry.com.
I’d like to take a moment and thank Jeff for helping me get through a tough time lately on calmerry.com. He helped me realize that I’ve always had my “tools” available and its essentially to keep those out at all times.
Good evening friends! I’d like to take a moment and thank Jeff for helping me get through a tough time lately on calmerry.com. He helped me realize that I’ve always had my “tools” available and its essentially to keep those out at all times. Meeting with him each week, giving me homework, provided a way for make a connection. Going through exercises provided the insight to link the how, why and see things differently.
Thanks for the inspiration, Svein. Love your tattoo!
Is it true the story of Svein riding from Canada to California with his dog an a bag of potatoes to a training camp in order to get some base miles?
Do you think there are many “fat adaoted” Protour cyclist? Do you think that’s the future or is procycling to “traditional”?
HI Luis,
Yes, it’s true. I did ride down to California for a training camp once. I’d spent to much time skiing in Canada and needed some miles in the legs. I did not bring my dog on this trip. That was another time riding up to Alaska and down to Mexico. The team I was riding for at the time was named Prime Alliance. On the trip down it rained every day. February on the west coast of America can be pretty grim. And yes, potatoes were a staple.
I think there’s more and more fat adapted cyclists, meaning that they are far more efficient at burning fat but because it is such a dynamic sport you also have to be able to burn glycogen quickly as well. In saying that, the better fat adapted you are, the deeper you can last into a race. This allows you to spare glycogen for the very necessary moments in the finale of the race.
I think there’s alot of changes happening in pro cycling and this is definitely one of the areas people are beginning to understand alot more. It’s very difficult to implement because it takes time and most professional athletes aren’t willing to take the year or 2 to see the adaptation. Cycling is very old school and these new ideas are met with a lot of resistance but every year I see the changes for the better and an emphasis put on nutrition and a holistic approach to the human body.
Svein Tuft
Hi Ben,
I just discovered your podcast. I’m trying to start listening from your first episode (somewhere in 2008). But that seems ompossible (i keep getting an error).
I tried to downloading the past episodes in iTunes, but that can only ben done from november 2014, 5th: “part 2: 67 stept to….”
Can you please let me know how and where I can catch up on the episodes before november 2014?
Thanks in advance.
Yes, it's 9.99 for a whole year, but you basically just go to https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/Premium and you get access to them all!
Svein, are you planning on writing an autobiography? I would love to read about your childhood, biking adventures, details on how you became pro. I so loved the podcast, you really put the real meaning of life back into prospective!! Thank you and best of luck on your future races and adventures!!
Vicki
It’s Svein or ME. Not I. Would you say ‘leave a comment for I’?
Thank you!