In this first of two conversations, I sit down with 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 the impact of gut health on performance every single day. Together, we lay the foundations for understanding the microbiome – the trillions of microbes that live inside us and influence our digestion, immunity, mood, sleep, and long-term health.
We explore how the microbiome develops, how modern life affects it, and why a healthy gut is essential not just for athletes, but for anyone who wants to feel and function at their best.
 
Key Topics
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">What the microbiome is and how it functions as an “internal city” of trillions of microbes</li>
<li class="li1">Why gut health begins before birth and evolves through childhood</li>
<li class="li1">The impact of environment, lifestyle, and modern diets on microbial diversity</li>
<li class="li1">The gut’s powerful role in immune function and chronic inflammation</li>
<li class="li1">The gut–brain axis – how your digestion and emotions are intertwined</li>
<li class="li1">Why fermented foods like kefir, yoghurt, and sauerkraut are so valuable</li>
<li class="li1">How a balanced microbiome can help prevent fatigue, illness, and autoimmune issues</li>
</ul>
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 – <a href='https://www.instagram.com/fortis.sportsci/'>@fortis.sportsci</a>
Website – <a href='http://www.totalendurancenutrition.com/'>www.totalendurancenutrition.com</a>
 
Recommended resources for listeners:
A couple mod highly recommended books
<a href='https://amzn.eu/d/2M9av6i'>Gut</a> by Giulia Enders 
<a href='https://amzn.eu/d/0c8Adgs'>The Athlete’s Gut: The Inside Science of Digestion, Nutrition, and Stomach Distress </a>– Patrick Wilson
2 interesting research documents
<a href='https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9734205/'>The Athlete Gut Microbiome and its Relevance to Health and Performance: A Review</a>
GSSI Sports Science Exchange: <a href='https://www.gssiweb.org/sports-science-exchange/article/gut-microbiome-function-stability-and-profiling-and-relevance-to-athletes'>Gut Microbiome Function, Stability, and Profiling and Relevance to Athletes</a>
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Your Gut, Your Performance: The Science Behind the Microbiome

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