Golf Wellness Series: Performance Based Nutrition w/ Will Armijo
In the latest episode of your virtual tea time, host Tori sits down with the dynamic entrepreneur, speaker, and influencer in the health and wellness industry, Will Armijo. Highly recommended by a colleague, Will brings his expertise and enthusiasm to the conversation, promising an insightful journey into the intersection of health, nutrition, and peak performance on the golf course.
Will shares his unique perspective on golf, emphasizing its significance beyond a recreational activity. For him, it's a sanctuary where he can disconnect from the digital world, immerse himself in the game, and focus on self-improvement. As a lifelong athlete, Will recognizes the benefits of golf for honing skills such as hand-eye coordination and overall athletic prowess.
Join Tori and Will as they uncover the secrets to success on and off the golf course, discussing the symbiotic relationship between health, wellness, and the pursuit of excellence in this riveting episode.
Pre-Round Nutrition
The interview kicks off with a discussion about pre-round snacks. Will advises on five essential snacks for peak performance: coconut water for hydration, a protein source like grass-fed jerky, fresh fruit for sustained energy, avoiding heavy meals, and, with a touch of humor, perhaps a six-pack of beer (though discreetly). These choices set the stage for a well-nourished start to the round.
Understanding the Basics of Golf Nutrition
Moving on, Tori and Will delve into the basics of nutrition for golfers. Golf, being a slow-paced and extended game, requires careful consideration of what fuels the body during the four to five hours on the course. Will highlights the misconception about the physical demands of golf and emphasizes the significance of nutrition in sustaining performance and avoiding the pitfalls of hitting a wall during the game.
The Science of Nutrition and Performance
Will goes on to explain the direct connection between nutrition and golf performance. Drawing parallels with the experience of hitting a wall in the gym, Will relates how similar challenges arise in golf. Poor nutrition can manifest in wayward shots, misalignments, and decreased focus. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the science behind nutrition and its impact on golf performance.
The Timing of Pre-Round Meals
Tori queries Will about the timing of pre-round meals, particularly for early tee times. Will advises against heavy meals close to the round, explaining the role of glycogen stored in muscles during morning play. A well-balanced meal a couple of hours before the round, as opposed to a rushed meal or snack, ensures sustained energy without compromising the golfer's focus.
Biohacking and Food Sensitivities
Will introduces the concept of biohacking in golf nutrition, emphasizing that perfection isn't necessary. Golfers can tailor their nutrition to their preferences while ensuring it aligns with their health goals. The discussion touches on the enjoyment of golf, including social aspects like drinking and smoking cigars, and how to balance them without compromising health.
The conversation turns to the importance of recognizing food sensitivities. Food sensitivity testing, done annually, can unveil hidden issues that affect performance. Will stresses the commonality of developing sensitivities even to seemingly healthy foods and recommends at-home testing kits for greater convenience.
Intra-Round Nutrition and Hydration
Will reveals a key insight: during activity, the body primarily uses sugar for energy. This realization shifts the focus to suitable snacks that provide the necessary sugar for sustained performance. Fruit and coconut water emerge as valuable options due to their natural sugars and electrolytes.
The Role of Hydration
Will emphasizes the critical role of hydration during a round of golf. He introduces coconut water as a game-changer due to its natural sugars and electrolytes. Tori, initially unfamiliar with coconut water, learns about its benefits as a replenishing and healthier alternative to traditional sports drinks. Will also suggests a hydration hack using high-quality rock salt and lemon for optimal hydration.
On-Course Snacking Strategies
When you tune into a PGA or LPGA event, you often catch a glimpse of players munching on bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and protein bars. Will emphasizes the importance of these choices due to their convenience. However, he goes a layer deeper, suggesting that combining fast-burning carbohydrates, like a banana, with slow-burning fats found in high-quality mixed nuts can provide a sustained energy release—crucial for the extended hours spent on the golf course.
Protein Bar Selection
Will highlights the significance of minimal ingredients in protein bars. While acknowledging their convenience, he advises opting for bars with fewer ingredients to avoid unnecessary additives. This section aims to guide readers in making informed choices when it comes to selecting protein bars for their golf outings.
The Nutty Truth: Navigating the World of Nuts
Will emphasizes the nutritional value of nuts, especially mixed nuts. Exploring the slow-burning energy provided by fats, he suggests the combination of nuts with a sodium-rich source like Redmond's rock salt for enhanced rehydration and electrolyte replenishment. This section provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of nuts in optimizing golf performance.
Hydration and Weather Impact
Delving into the impact of weather on hydration, Will explains that even in colder environments, maintaining proper hydration is crucial for optimal performance. The section sheds light on the subtle differences in sweating and hydration needs in various weather conditions, offering valuable insights for golfers looking to adapt their hydration strategies.
Caffeine: Friend or Foe?
Acknowledging their shared love for caffeine, Tori and Will discuss the potential downsides of excessive caffeine intake. Will explains how high levels of caffeine can affect the adrenals, leading to issues like decreased energy levels and brain fog.
Coffee vs. Energy Drinks
Distinguishing between natural caffeine sources and chemically made caffeine, Will advocates for organic black coffee over energy drinks. He explains the differences in caffeine composition and the potential negative effects of the artificial caffeine found in popular energy drinks.
Unlocking Focus with Mushroom Extracts
Highlighting the benefits of mushroom extracts, Will shares insights into how these extracts can enhance focus, alertness, and memory—qualities essential for a golfer's performance. The section includes practical advice on incorporating mushroom extracts into daily routines, providing a unique perspective on improving mental clarity on the golf course.
The Deceptive Nature of Hydration
Will challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding water consumption, emphasizing that not all water is created equal. Only a few water systems produce high-quality water. He explains that headaches attributed to excessive water intake might actually be a result of sodium deficiency, highlighting the electric nature of the human body and the necessity of sodium for all bodily processes.
The Role of Salt in Hydration
The conversation touches on the misconception that our bodies are primarily composed of plain water. Will sheds light on the fact that the water within our bodies is, in fact, saltwater. The importance of replenishing sodium alongside water is emphasized as a vital aspect of hydration, making the case for a unique "super cheat code" – salt water with lemon.
Evolution of Hydration Habits Over Time
Tori reminisces about her childhood, where water consumption was minimal compared to today's emphasis on massive water intake. Will attributes this shift to a growing awareness of detoxification, discussing how our detoxing organs, like the liver and kidneys, function differently as we age. He draws parallels between the efficient detoxification abilities of youthful organs and the need for increased hydration in older age.
Will explores the idea that the desire to drink more water as we age is a natural response to the slowing down of detoxing organs. However, he warns about the potential pitfalls of solely relying on water for hydration without considering the essential role of sodium. This section emphasizes the delicate balance required for effective hydration as we age.
Exploring the Unconventional: Alcohol and Golf
The conversation takes an intriguing turn as Tori and Will discuss the role of alcohol on the golf course. Will, a self-proclaimed advocate for a mild buzz during a round, delves into the confidence-boosting effects of alcohol. He acknowledges the importance of confidence in golf while cautioning about the potential negative impact on decision-making and food choices.
Nutrition Hacks for Responsible Alcohol Consumption
Will offers practical tips for responsible alcohol consumption on the golf course, emphasizing the importance of rehydration. He educates on the dehydrating effects of alcohol and caffeine and stresses the significance of consuming water between alcoholic beverages.
The Psychedelic Connection to Golf
The discussion touches on the emerging trend of golfers microdosing psychedelic mushrooms. Will introduces the concept of microdosing for its potential benefits in focus and mental clarity without the psychedelic experience. This section leaves readers intrigued and curious about the evolving intersections between unconventional practices and golf performance.
The Rising Trend of Walking in Golf
Tori and Will open the conversation by highlighting the growing trend of walking in the golf community. Will notes that walking is gaining popularity not just for its physical benefits but also because it has become a subject of scientific studies. As the conversation unfolds, the duo emphasizes how walking can extend your life, attributing this to improved blood circulation and increased overall physical activity.
Will's Personal Experience
Will shares his personal preference for walking during a round of golf, revealing that he plays better when walking. Drawing from his own experiences, he recounts a game at Lookout Mountain where cart path-only restrictions forced them to walk. Despite initial resistance, Will discovered that the extra time spent walking provided him with valuable moments to think about his shots, ultimately enhancing his gameplay.
The Bandon Dunes Experience
Will recounts his visit to Bandon Dunes, a golf destination where walking is not just encouraged but mandatory. Will describes it as the Disneyland of golfers, emphasizing how the absence of golf carts transforms the entire golfing experience. The inclusion of a caddy further intensifies the focus on the game and enhances the overall enjoyment.
The Cognitive Benefits of Walking
Will delves into the mental aspects of walking during a golf round, explaining how it allows players to be fully present on the course. Unlike the distractions that come with riding in a cart, walking encourages a more immersive experience, fostering better concentration on each shot. The conversation explores how walking enhances breathing, promotes better air intake, and allows players to mentally prepare for the next shot.
Weight Loss and Walking
Tori shares her personal experience of walking more during the winter season in Arizona, citing a noticeable difference in weight. Will emphasizes the compound effect of consistent walking, likening it to the principles of golf practice. The discussion touches on the intersection of walking, metabolism, and overall energy exchange, reinforcing the idea that walking is a foundational element for a healthy lifestyle.
The Optimal Walking Duration
Addressing a common concern, Tori inquires about the ideal duration for walking to lead a healthy lifestyle. Will's response is surprisingly simple—30 minutes, or even just 15 minutes, can make a significant impact. The emphasis is on consistency, with Will suggesting that walking a shorter duration more frequently is more beneficial than occasional lengthy walks.
Caloric Burn and Bio-Individuality
The discussion wraps up with a focus on the caloric burn associated with walking 18 holes. Will highlights the bio-individuality of caloric expenditure, explaining how factors like heart rate and genetics influence the amount of energy burned. He challenges the notion of a fixed caloric value for walking 18 holes, urging individuals to consider their unique physiological factors.
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