70. The Road to the Ironman World Championships: A 4-Time Participant's Proven Formula for Success

OFM - Why Metabolic Health Matters

Marty Smith is heading to Nice in a week to compete at the IronMan World Championships in the 65-69 Age Group. This is not her first rodeo. Marty has participated in 4 IronMan World Championships, including last year. She has also qualified for and competed in 2 IronMan 70.3 World Championships. Her slowest full IronMan time was 14:52 in her first World Championship in 2013, over a decade ago and before discovering VESPA and the VESPA developed OFM Protocols.

Like all our stories, Marty’s road to the World Championships is so much more than all things triathlon. Marty shares her incredible journey of recovery, her transition from addiction to athleticism, and how embracing OFM and using VESPA have been game-changers for her performance and longevity in endurance sports.

Discussion Points:

Marty’s Background: Overcoming Addiction through Athleticism

• Marty shares her personal story of addiction beginning with food addiction at a young age then segueing into alcohol and drug addiction in adolescence and adulthood.
• Her recovery journey began 33 years ago, and she describes how she replaced unhealthy habits with positive ones, including endurance sports.

Introduction to Endurance Sports

• How Marty transitioned from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one.
• Her late start in athletics, beginning with running in her 40s, and eventually qualifying for and competing in the Boston Marathon and multiple Ironman events.

The Role of Diet and Nutrition:

• Marty discusses how her shift to OFM, by timing the balance of carbohydrate restriction with “Strategic” Carbs and using VESPA, allowed her to make the fundamental shift back to using body fat as fuel
• How this fundamental shift to body fat as the principal aerobic energy source significantly improved her athletic performance and overall health.
• Insights into her pre-race and race-day nutrition, including the use of Vespa and “Strategic” Carbohydrates during competitions.

Marty’s Ironman Success:

• Competing in 10 Ironmans, including three appearances at the Kona World Championships and now heading to Nice.
• Overcoming challenges like injuries and personal loss, including her experience of racing shortly after her mother's passing. This includes how the physiological stability OFM provides helps with coping and moving forward in spite of the challenges Life presents.

Training and Recovery Insights:

• How Marty maintains high levels of training and performance without traditional rest days.
• Her approach to recovery, including the impact of OFM on reducing recovery time and improving race-day performance.

Living Life on Her Terms:

• Marty reflects on her experiences as a nurse which culminated in hospice care.
• How the combination of her professional career combined with her OFM journey has shaped her views on health and aging.
• How Lifestyle choices most people unknowingly make lead to chronic disease and mobility issues.
• The importance of maintaining an active lifestyle as a key to longevity and quality of life.

Advice for Aspiring Athletes:

• Marty emphasizes that it's never too late to start living a healthier, more active life.
• Tips for incorporating OFM into your life and sport. This includes the benefits for athletes of all levels.
• At 66 years young and fit Marty’s message in this podcast are in alignment with how she lives her life.

Marty Smith is another powerful example of how it's possible to not only turn your life around at any age but achieve the extraordinary. Her journey from addiction to becoming a top competitor in her age group at Ironman events inspires and educates. . . and, as discussed in the podcast, it begins with getting down to the basics. One of those basics is your foundational physiology which is precisely what the OFM Metabolic Reset does; re-establish your native metabolism which uses body fat as the primary aerobic energy source.

This episode is not just for Triathletes. For anyone seriously considering making positive lifestyle changes this podcast is a must listen because Marty’s journey can be anyone’s journey. Please share with your friends and family.