Fueling for the Podium: Savilia Blunk on Nutrition, Recovery & Confidence

Send us Fan Mail In episode #199 Savilia Blunk returns for a third conversation to break down how she approaches racing, recovery, and nutrition after the 2024 Olympic cycle. She and Kyla Channell discuss what changed after the Olympics, why a long off-season matters, and how Savilia fuels for short track and cross-country World Cup weekends. **KEY TAKEAWAYS** - Savilia explains how the post-Olympic season affected her rhythm and how coaching and team changes renewed her motivation. - The importance of embracing the off-season, and working with a sports psychologist - Testing with supplements like caffeine - How she approaches sleep and recovery during World Cup - Carb loading, hydration, and nutrition before, during and after race day, and how this changes between events. *Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.* **ABOUT SAVILIA BLUNK:** Savilia Blunk is an Olympian and professional mountain bike racer for the Decathlon Ford Racing Team. Over the past decade, she’s climbed the ranks from small-town roots and humble beginnings—starting out on her high school NICA team, getting a taste of the international scene, racing as a Junior on the Bear National Team, and even co-creating her own team with her partner in 2021—before landing her first World Cup team contract in 2023. Now a Paris 2024 Olympian and the current Elite National Champion in XCC, Savilia boasts 10 national titles, 2 U23 World Cup podiums, and 9 Elite World Cup podiums. But her drive doesn’t stop at the finish line. Off the bike, Savilia is just as passionate about fueling the body and mind—she loves cooking, diving into nutrition, and exploring holistic wellness as a way to support performance and overall balance. Whether she’s training, racing, or experimenting in the kitchen, her mission is the same: to inspire others to find joy in movement and live well, however that looks for them. **FOLLOW SAVILIA:** - **IG:** https://www.instagram.com/saviliablunk/ - Web: www.saviliablunk.com **FREE RESOURCE** - **Carb Loading Guide:** https://mailchi.mp/nutritional-revolution/free-carb-loading-guide **MENTIONED** - **Episode 36 w/ Savilia in 2022:** https://nutritional-revolution.com/podcasts/episode-36-with-savilia-blunk-pro-mountain-bike-racing-around-the-world/ - **Episode 92 w/ Savilia in 2023:** https://nutritional-revolution.com/podcasts/savilia-blunk/ - **Training Peaks:** https://www.trainingpeaks.com/ - **23andme:** https://link.amazon/B0aSFJGt9 - **Skratch:** https://link.amazon/B03HDUTCY - **Amacx Gels:** https://link.amazon/B08VasXA7 - **Enervit:** https://go.shopmy.us/p-85769583 - **Cheribundi:** https://link.amazon/B037Iuij4 - **Knudsen Tart Cherry Juice:** https://link.amazon/B0hycSXqe **TIMESTAMPS** **00:00** — Welcome back and training in Durango **01:26** — Two truths and a lie setup **03:43** — What has changed since the previous conversation **04:01** — Post-Olympic season reset and renewed motivation **05:27** — Why Savilia stayed in the United States for winter training **06:35** — What taking the off-season seriously looks like **08:13** — Building back with a slower, structured progression **10:50** — Off-season recovery for the body and mind **13:18** — Working with a sports psychologist **14:22** — A World Cup win and changes to her nutrition **16:29** — Why she stopped using caffeine for short track **18:51** — How caffeine affects athletes differently **20:22** — Sleep banking before race weekend **21:44** — Higher-carbohydrate fueling in the days before racing **22:52** — Pre-short-track meals and “multiple breakfasts” **24:22** — Topping off before the start with gels and bottles **26:10** — Recovery after short track and dinner planning **29:01** — Tart cherry choices and preferences **30:11** — Fueling on Saturday between races **31:46** — Sunday race timing for elite women **32:24** — Breakfast options on race morning **34:58** — Hydration and gel strategy during cross-country **36:17** — Gel and bottle products that work for Savilia **36:56** — What is next on the race calendar **39:37** — One key fueling tip for newer riders **40:42** — The two truths and a lie reveal **42:02** — Where to follow Savilia online **MORE NR** - Apply to work with Kyla → https://p.bttr.to/3ZrwzcF - Use code NEWPOD10 for 10% off our meal plans → https://nutritional-revolution.com/products/ **CONNECT**  - Instagram → www.instagram.com/nutritionalrevolution - Sponsorship inquiries → [kyla.c@nutritional-revolution.com](mailto:kyla.c@nutritional-revolution.com) - Interested in having your biomarkers or nutrigenomics checked? Email us at nutritionalrev@gmail.com **TRUSTED RESOURCES**  - Supplements (save 20%) → https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell - Feed Club ($20 off) → https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution - Kyla's top picks → https://shopmy.us/shop/nutrev - Follow us @nutritionalrevolution