In the first of a 2 part series, I’m joined by Harvey Fortis, a performance nutritionist and researcher completing his PhD at Liverpool John Moores University, where he studies gut and metabolic responses in endurance athletes. Harvey also works with INEOS Cycling and Total Endurance Nutrition, so he sees first-hand how gut health can make or break performance. We start by laying the foundations of what the gut microbiome actually is, but quickly move into why it matters in everyday life. We explore how gut health influences sleep, stress, immunity, inflammation, mood, and even how well you tolerate training and racing. If you’ve ever struggled with poor sleep, anxiety, IBS, repeated illness, or unexplained fatigue, this episode will help you understand why the gut is often the missing piece. What We Cover What the microbiome is and why it behaves like a “city within” Why gut health starts before birth and stabilises early in life How gut imbalance can disrupt sleep and keep the nervous system switched on The gut–brain axis and why 80% of signals travel from gut to brain How chronic low-grade inflammation starts in the gut Why frequent illness and poor recovery often point to gut health issues The link between gut health and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis Why many performance problems aren’t training issues at all, but gut issues Key Quote ( 00:09:59 ) “We host around 30 to 40 trillion bacterial cells – roughly as many as your own human cells – and they all work together like a thriving city inside you.” – Harvey Fortis   Key Message Your gut is more than a digestive system – it’s a living ecosystem that drives energy, recovery, mood, and resilience. When the good bacteria thrive, everything else follows.   How to Connect with Harvey:Instagram – @fortis.sportsciWebsite – www.totalendurancenutrition.com   Recommended resources for listeners: A couple mod highly recommended books Gut by Giulia Enders The Athlete’s Gut: The Inside Science of Digestion, Nutrition, and Stomach Distress – Patrick Wilson 2 interesting research documentsThe Athlete Gut Microbiome and its Relevance to Health and Performance: A ReviewGSSI Sports Science Exchange: Gut Microbiome Function, Stability, and Profiling and Relevance to Athletes Join the SWAT Inner Circle   And if you want structure, accountability, and a tactical plan for staying strong, mobile, and resilient all year round, the SWAT Inner Circle is where you’ll find the support to stay Battle Ready for life’s adventures. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MISSION   Connect with me HERE: You can find link for the following channels - Website, Facebook, podcast, Instagram, YouTube   Check out my Instagram  and YouTube  channel Website: www.simonward.co.uk Email: Simon@thetriathloncoach.com Sign up for Simon’s weekly newsletter Sign up for Beth’s weekly newsletter Download Simon’s Free ‘Battle Ready Lifestyle’ Infographic — https://simon-ward.kit.com/battlereadylifestyle Join the Unstuck Collective – for Beth’s weekly inspiration and coaching insights (not a chat group; replies welcome via DM). 💬 Got an awkward question for Simon? Send it to beth@thetriathloncoach.com and you might just hear it on a future episode!