The Hybrid Lab with Dr. Alyssa Olenick

Dr. Alyssa Olenick

Details

Welcome to The Hybrid Lab with Dr. Alyssa Olenick, Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, 17x Ultrarunner, and hybrid athlete. This podcast is for hybrid fitness lovers, hyrox crushers, road and trail runners who want to push their limits with science-backed training. Alyssa merges her expertise in exercise, metabolism, female physiology, and endurance sports to provide you with the tools to optimize strength, stamina, and recovery. If you’re ready to balance running and strength training to crush your goals, tune in for actionable strategies and expert advice to train smarter and live stronger.

Recent Episodes

OCT 30, 2026
EP 123: 'Perfect Form’ Is a Myth (What to Focus on Instead)
📲 Get my free lifting calculator & RPE guide to start actually training hard enough in the gym → https://bit.ly/4mtleF5 Worried your lifting form isn’t perfect? You’re not alone. → This video is a podcast version of a full YouTube video! Watch it here on Spotify (video edition) or YouTube: https://youtu.be/C_9fTfdkpb4 Get $20 off your first month with code PODCAST: → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/ In this video, Dr. Alyssa Olenick (PhD in Exercise Physiology) breaks down a common fear many beginners face: “What if my form isn’t perfect?” She explains why perfect form is a myth, how form exists on a spectrum, and why it's totally safe to start lifting even if you're still learning. You’ll learn: ✔️ Why "good enough" form is often just fine to begin ✔️ How to avoid injury while still improving technique ✔️ What matters more than chasing perfect form ✔️ How to gain confidence and progress safely in the gym This is the encouragement and science-backed perspective beginners need to feel empowered, not intimidated, when starting their strength journey. Subscribe for weekly tips on lifting, running, and hybrid fitness for every level. 🤘🏻 TRAIN WITH ME HERE → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/programs 🤘🏻 FOLLOW ME ON IG → https://www.instagram.com/doclyssfitness/ 🤘🏻 LEARN MORE + FREE RESOURCES → https://doclyssfitness.com/ #LiftingForm #BeginnerLifting #GymConfidence #StrengthTraining #DocLyssFitness #FormTips #WomenWhoLift #ExerciseScience #InjuryPrevention #HybridAthlete
10 MIN
OCT 16, 2026
EP 122: Run Faster Without Adding a Single Mile
What if you could run faster, feel more resilient, and build stronger bones without adding a single mile? That's what plyometrics can do, and they're the most underrated tool most runners skip. → This video is a podcast version of a full YouTube video! Watch it here on Spotify (video edition) or YouTube: https://youtu.be/nLoBynaF-NM Get $20 off your first month with code PODCAST: → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/ Running is basically a series of small springy motions, so it makes sense that plyometric training carries over directly to how fast and efficient you run. Studies show plyometrics can improve running speed and efficiency by up to 8%, and they do a lot more than that. They build resilience in the tendons and tissues you use to create force, and the impact loads your bones in a way that improves density over time. That makes them a big deal for runners, aging athletes, and women, especially anyone worried about bone stress injuries or thinking about training through menopause. In this video I break down the science, then get practical. How often to program plyometrics (start with one day a week and build to two or three), where to put them in your session (before your lifts, when you're fresh), and roughly how many ground contacts make sense for your level. Then I demo real progressions from beginner to advanced: pogo hops, skips, double leg hops, jump squats, single leg work, skater hops, and depth jumps, using minimal equipment so most of you can do them wherever you train. The key is quality over quantity. Plyometrics aren't about doing a million jumps until you're sweaty. They're about power, reaction, and recovering enough to repeat it. Build up gradually, stop a set when your power drops off, and back off if anything starts to hurt in your feet, shins, or knees. Want plyometrics programmed for you, scaled to your level and paired with your running and strength goals? Take the quiz linked below to find your fit inside The Lyss Method, or email me and my coaches if you're not sure where to start. And tell me in the comments: have you been skipping plyos in your training? 🎯 FIND YOUR PROGRAM Take the quiz to find your fit: https://quiz-thelyssmethod.com/ 🤘🏻 TRAIN WITH ME HERE → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/programs 🤘🏻 FOLLOW ME ON IG → https://www.instagram.com/doclyssfitness/ 🤘🏻 LEARN MORE + FREE RESOURCES → https://doclyssfitness.com/
20 MIN
OCT 1, 2026
EP 121: Why beginner runners CAN'T run in Zone 2 (and why they shouldn't)
Take the Quiz to Find Your Perfect Training Program! https://www.thelyssmethod.com/#quiz Beginners Guide to Running! https://youtu.be/twuSS9Uu2p0 Beginner runners are constantly told to “stay in Zone 2”… but if you’re new to running, that advice can actually make things harder, more frustrating, and way less sustainable. → This video is a podcast version of a full YouTube video! Watch it here on Spotify (video edition) or YouTube: https://youtu.be/-w-ASvfHxuw Get $20 off your first month with code PODCAST: → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/ In this video, I’m breaking down why Zone 2 training is often a terrible strategy for beginners. When you’re just starting out, your Zone 2 is extremely small — which means even a slow jog can push your heart rate into higher zones. That doesn’t mean you’re unfit, broken, or doing something wrong. It simply means your body is adapting and your aerobic system isn’t fully developed yet. That’s normal. Instead of stressing about staying in Zone 2, I’ll show you what beginners should actually focus on: 1. Learning the skill of running 2. Using RPE instead of obsessing over heart rate 3. Using the talk test to guide effort 4. Building fitness gradually without panic 5. Allowing your aerobic base to develop over time Zone 2 absolutely has its place later in your running journey — but forcing yourself to live there too early can make running stressful, discouraging, and unnecessarily complicated. Let’s make this simpler, more beginner-friendly, and actually enjoyable. If you want support getting started with running in a way that feels realistic, sustainable, and confidence-building, check out my beginner running programs below. You don’t need to be perfect — you just need a smarter approach. 🤘🏻 TRAIN WITH ME HERE → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/programs 🤘🏻 FOLLOW ME ON IG → https://www.instagram.com/doclyssfitness/ 🤘🏻 LEARN MORE + FREE RESOURCES → https://doclyssfitness.com/
8 MIN
SEP 17, 2026
EP 120: The Macro Tracking Approach You've Never Heard of Until Now
🔥 Get my free MACRO CALCULATOR here to help figure out how much to start eating to support your training. → https://bit.ly/4d8ZTMJ In this video, Dr. Lyss introduces a simple, game-changing approach to macro tracking - focusing on flexibility and intuition over rigid numbers. Learn how setting macronutrient ranges and minimums (instead of strict targets) can make tracking feel more natural and sustainable! Dr. Lyss also shares key tips on listening to your body’s hunger signals, adjusting tracking during holidays and travel, and how the MacroFactor app can help you stay on track without stressing about perfection. → This video is a podcast version of a full YouTube video! Watch it here on Spotify (video edition) or YouTube: https://youtu.be/Oe1m4N5wR0o Get $20 off your first month with code PODCAST: → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/ 🤘🏻 TRAIN WITH ME HERE → https://www.thelyssmethod.com/programs 🤘🏻 FOLLOW ME ON IG → https://www.instagram.com/doclyssfitness/ 🤘🏻 LEARN MORE + FREE RESOURCES → https://doclyssfitness.com/ Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:50 - My personal approach 6:00 - MacroFactor app 7:25 - Setting minimums/ranges 12:25 - Listening to hunger/body 17:25 - Tracking holidays/traveling/dining out 23:40 - Ebb and flows of lifestyle nutrition 26:00 - History of tracking and maintenance 29:00 - Benefit and intention of tracking 32:20 - Wrap up #macrotracking #flexibledieting #IntuitiveEating #MacronutrientRanges #SustainableNutrition #HowToTrackMacros #MacroTrackingTips #DietFlexibility
33 MIN