Steph Lowe Australian Triathlon Endurance and Cycling Expo Interview

Calling all professional, recreational and junior, triathletes, runners, cyclists, swimmers and obstacle course enthusiasts! This July, Sydney will host a one stop shop for everything fitness related to get you sprinting out of the starter's block.

The Australian Triathlon Endurance & Cycling (ATEC) Expo will be staged at The Dome, Sydney Showground on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July 2016 and is the second event in the series. The action packed expo will feature seven interactive zones and more than 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest in products in cycling, running, swimming and sports nutrition, racing apparel and equipment to boost training and athletic performance.

'The ATEC expo isn't just for professional athletes, it is for everyone with an interest in running, swimming, cycling and obstacle courses, from seasoned competitors to those just starting out," says Vanessa Maniatis, Informa Australia's Exhibition Director for ATEC, the country's only multi-sport exhibition.

The zones include Bike, Swim, Run, Nutrition, Technology, Obstacle and Endurance, and Junior and will enable visitors to trial the latest technology, sample products and purchase an expansive range of apparel at special expo prices. For the adrenaline junkies, The Raw Challenge Obstacle course will satisfy with a two metre high wall to conquer, and the S'cool Bikes Fat Bike Track will set the stage to road test the Euro-Bike award winner XXFat 20. If visitors are up for competitive cycling action, ATEC & the Lidcombe Auburn Cycling Club are presenting the Open Criterium on Saturday 23 July, featuring a series of cycling races, suitable for junior to elite riders.

New to the 2016 Expo is a Duathlon on Sunday 24 July, an official World championship qualifier event, presented by Elite Energy. Also new this year are the -Start-Up Zone', enabling entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their innovations, and -Club Corner', where visitors can engage with local based sporting clubs.

The seminar stage will host leading professional triathletes, nutritionists, cyclists and coaches, including Paul Newsome, Head Coach of world leading swim coaching company, Swim Smooth; expert bike fitter Aaron Dunford of Fusion Peak; and nutritionist Belinda Reynolds of IsoWhey Sports. Topics will cover everything from bike fitting and running technique, to training, diet, and injury prevention.

Companies exhibiting include: Canyon Australia & New Zealand, Xterra Wetsuits, IsoWhey Sports, 2XU, Bike Bug, Hoka One One, Dare2Tri, Injinji Performance Products, Rocktape, Science in Sport, 32Gi, Vivo Barefoot, CamelBak and more. A full list of exhibitors can be found here. Registration will open in April 2016.

Attendance at the Australian Triathlon Endurance & Cycling Expo (ATEC) is open to anyone with an interest in fitness and athletic performance. Sign up to receive FREE ENews here.

Australian Triathlon Endurance & Cycling (ATEC) Expo
Where: The Dome, 1 Showground Road, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park NSW, 2127
When: Saturday 23 July 2016 9am - 5pm and
Sunday 24 July 2016 9am - 4pm
Ticket Price: $15/1 day pass $20/2 day pass. Children under 14 are free.
http://www.atecexpo.com.au/

Interview with Steph Lowe BSpExSc GDipHumNutr NSA The Natural Nutritionist

Steph Lowe is a Sports Nutritionist, triathlete and cashew butter addict from Melbourne, Victoria. Her education extends over a decade in the wellness industry, with an undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science, a Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition and soon-to-be-completed Masters of Human Nutrition. Steph specialises in real food based sports nutrition, high performance fat loss, and teaching you how easy gluten free living and performance can be. She has extensive experience working with teams, elite athletes, corporations, schools and the general public in the area of optimal nutrition.

www.thenaturalnutritionist
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Question: What is the Australian Triathlon Endurance and Cycling Expo?

Steph Lowe: It is a two event in Sydney, showcasing all of the latest products in the endurance world, in conjunction with a comprehensive seminar program to educate and inspire.


Question: Why did you decide to get involved in the Australian Triathlon Endurance and Cycling Expo?

Steph Lowe: My company, The Natural Nutritionist, works with a large number of endurance athletes, teaching them the benefits of real food, fat adaptation and natural fuelling. I am honoured to share this information with ATEC attendees, to enhance their performance, recovery and athletic longevity.


Question: What should attendees expect from the Australian Triathlon Endurance and Cycling Expo?

Steph Lowe: It's the ultimate multisport exhibition with seminars from the best coaches, practitioners and industry professionals.

Question: What are you most looking forward to at the Australian Triathlon Endurance and Cycling Expo?

Steph Lowe: Breaking down the dogma of the sports nutrition world and guiding athletes to cease their carbohydrate dependancy and sugar burning metabolic profile.


Question: What advice do you have, food wise, for athletes wishing to boost performance?

Steph Lowe: The number one change is to reduce if not significantly reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates. Nothing beats what nature provides.


Question: Can you talk us through the types of food we can consume to aid in after-exercise muscle soreness?

Steph Lowe: Quality protein, whole food carbohydrates and good fats are a great combination post training. Protein aids muscle repair, carbohydrates act to replacement muscle glycogen and good fats are anti-inflammatory, mopping up free radicals produced during exercise. A smoothie is the perfect great example, when made with the right macronutrient balance: http://www.thenaturalnutritionist.com.au/new-recipe-breakfast-antioxidant-smoothie/


Question: What types of food should we be consuming prior to an endurance event?

Steph Lowe: The great news is that 'nothing new happens in race week" and 'nothing new happens on race day". The bulk of an athletes nutrition should come from vegetables, quality protein and good fats, with whole food carbohydrate prioritised within the post training meal for muscle glycogen replenishment. Simple and nutrient dense examples include smoothies, an roast vegetable omelette with a side of avocado, or steak, salad and sweet potato fries.


Question: Can you explain the method behind 'carb loading"?
Steph Lowe: The term carbohydrate loading has been used since the 1960's to refer to a nutritional strategy that maximizes muscle glycogen (carbohydrate stored in the muscle) stores prior to an endurance event. Current guidelines recommend an exercise taper (reduction) while following a high carbohydrate diet (7-12g/kg body weight) in the one to four days prior to competition. The benefits are apparently a 2-3% improvement in performance in events that extend beyond 90 minutes. Just like we once though the world was flat and saturated fat was the cause of heart disease, carbohydrate loading is not necessary to maximize performance. Here's why: http://www.thenaturalnutritionist.com.au/say-no-to-carbohydrate-loading/


Question: What tips do you have for changing bad eating habits?

Steph Lowe: It's about nourishing your body with natural whole foods, within a balanced framework. When you eat real food with an 80/20 approach it becomes a lifestyle. There is no place for excessive restriction or calorie counting. When you control your macronutrient intake you control your physiology, and the flow on effect is the management of your energy, satiety, cravings and ongoing food choices.


Interview by Brooke Hunter