Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection and its Role in Performance ft. Maggie Awad
03/18/25 • 44 min
Want to improve your performance and recovery? Start with your gut! Visit https://adamloiacono.com and follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/adam.loiacono for more expert insights.
In this episode of Finding Small Wins, host Adam Loiacono sits down with Maggie Awad, NP, a functional sports medicine specialist who works with elite athletes to optimize health and performance through gut health. Maggie shares her powerful journey into functional medicine, driven by personal tragedy and a passion for uncovering the root causes of health issues.
They dive into the gut-brain connection, explaining how gut health impacts energy, performance, and recovery. Maggie reveals why overtraining can lead to leaky gut, the role of short-chain fatty acids in fueling performance, and how stress, diet, and lifestyle choices influence gut health. Plus, they discuss colostrum, creatine, and supplement quality control—what’s actually worth taking?
Whether you're a pro athlete, weekend warrior, or just someone trying to optimize your health, this episode will equip you with science-backed strategies to improve energy levels, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery.
📢 Don’t miss exclusive insights and podcast updates! Check out https://adamloiacono.com for more expert-driven conversations on sports performance and health.
Want to improve your performance and recovery? Start with your gut! Visit https://adamloiacono.com and follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/adam.loiacono for more expert insights.
In this episode of Finding Small Wins, host Adam Loiacono sits down with Maggie Awad, NP, a functional sports medicine specialist who works with elite athletes to optimize health and performance through gut health. Maggie shares her powerful journey into functional medicine, driven by personal tragedy and a passion for uncovering the root causes of health issues.
They dive into the gut-brain connection, explaining how gut health impacts energy, performance, and recovery. Maggie reveals why overtraining can lead to leaky gut, the role of short-chain fatty acids in fueling performance, and how stress, diet, and lifestyle choices influence gut health. Plus, they discuss colostrum, creatine, and supplement quality control—what’s actually worth taking?
Whether you're a pro athlete, weekend warrior, or just someone trying to optimize your health, this episode will equip you with science-backed strategies to improve energy levels, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery.
📢 Don’t miss exclusive insights and podcast updates! Check out https://adamloiacono.com for more expert-driven conversations on sports performance and health.
Previous Episode
Inside the NFL Offseason - How Pro Athletes Train & Recover ft. Natalie Kollars
Looking to elevate your training and recovery game? Head over to www.AdamLoiacono.com and follow Adam on Instagram at @adam.loiacono for exclusive insights into sports performance, rehab, and high-performance training.
In this episode of Finding Small Wins, Adam sits down with Natalie Collars, a top-tier performance coach and founder of Fortis, to pull back the curtain on NFL offseason training. From her days at EXOS to running her own elite training business, Natalie shares her unique perspective on athletic preparation, sports science, and nutrition.
You’ll hear how she structures training blocks for NFL athletes, why data and technology are key to optimizing performance, and how she balances strength, speed, and recovery in the ever-evolving sports landscape. Plus, we dive into nutrition strategies, testing protocols, and why hiring a coach is one of the best investments athletes can make.
Whether you're a coach, therapist, or athlete, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you train smarter, recover better, and perform at your best.
🎧 Don’t miss future episodes! Get exclusive podcast content here:
👉 https://adamloiacono.com/category/podcast/
Next Episode
Inside the NBA: Team vs. Private Sports Rehab with Alex Hubelbank
Looking to upgrade your health and performance? Get expert insights from Adam Loiacono at www.AdamLoiacono.com and follow him on Instagram at @adam.loiacono.
In this episode of Finding Small Wins, host Dr. Adam Loiacono welcomes Alex Hubelbank, a former NBA physical therapist turned private sports rehab expert. Alex shares her unique journey—from working on the team side in the NBA to supporting elite athletes in the private space. She breaks down the realities of professional sports medicine, the complexities of team vs. private athlete care, and the challenges of maintaining performance while navigating the business of pro sports.
Alex and Adam dive deep into:
✔️ The pressures and decision-making processes in NBA rehab
✔️ Why NBA athletes seek outside support for continuity of care
✔️ The evolving role of private practitioners in pro sports
✔️ The importance of athlete education and advocacy in rehab
✔️ How teams, private practitioners, and players can work together more effectively
If you're an athlete, therapist, or performance coach, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.
🎧 Tune in now and discover how to take control of your performance and rehab journey!
For exclusive Finding Small Wins podcast content, visit: https://adamloiacono.com/category/podcast/
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