The Unseen Work Behind Elite Performance | Charles Stull on What Makes Champions Great

In this episode of The Burn Podcast, Ben Newman sits down with Charles Stull, Senior Director of Performance Nutrition at the UFC Performance Institute, for a fascinating look behind the scenes at what it actually takes to help some of the world’s highest-performing combat athletes prepare, recover, and compete at their best. Charles shares his journey from Division I swimming and competitive Muay Thai to becoming a sports dietitian and eventually joining the UFC Performance Institute. What began as a two-dietitian operation has grown into a global performance nutrition team supporting UFC athletes throughout their preparation, fight week, recovery, and everything in between. Ben and Charles dive deep into the details most fans never see. Charles breaks down the science behind weight cutting, dehydration, rehydration, nutrition, recovery, and how fighters can strategically rebuild their bodies between stepping on the scale and stepping into the Octagon. It’s an incredible look at how much precision goes into the moments before the bright lights ever turn on. But the lessons go far beyond fighting. Charles explains that the highest performers don't simply have goals and purpose—they build a “moat” around themselves. They protect their energy, create the right environment, surround themselves with people who support their pursuit, pay attention to what they consume, and eliminate the distractions that slowly pull them away from their STANDARD. Those seemingly small decisions are what allow great performers not only to reach the top, but to stay there. Charles also opens up about his own BURN and the influence of his mother, who challenged him from an early age to discover his limits. That mindset led him toward difficult pursuits throughout his life—from swimming to Muay Thai to one of the most demanding areas of performance nutrition—because he continually chose the harder path as a way to strengthen his mind, body, and spirit. This conversation is a reminder that elite performance isn't built only in the moments everyone sees. It’s built through preparation, discipline, recovery, environment, and an obsession with the little things. Whatever YOUR arena is, ask YOURSELF: Are YOU paying enough attention to the details that could take YOUR performance to another level? ************************************ Connect with Charles Stull: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_angry_dietitian/?hl=en Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/charles.h.stull ************************************ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fcrOAPfiH98 Listen on all platforms: https://www.theburnpodcast.com ************************************ Learn about upcoming events and coaching: https://www.workwithbnc.com Get Ben’s latest book The STANDARD:  https://amzn.to/3DE1clY1st Work directly with Ben: https://www.bennewmancoaching.com Connect with Ben Newman: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuedfight Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Continuedfight/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ContinuedFight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newman-b0b693 Qlogix: www.Q-logix.com/ben https://www.bennewmancoaching.com ************************************ Learn about our Upcoming events and programs: https://www.workwithbnc.com Let’s work TOGETHER https://www.bennewmancoaching.com Let's work together to write YOUR next book- BNC Publishing Send us a message Order my latest book The STANDARD: Winning at YOUR Highest Level: https://amzn.to/3DE1clY 1st Phorm | The Foundation of High Performance Nutrition 1stPhorm.com/bnewman Connect with me everywhere else: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuedfight Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Continuedfight/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ContinuedFight Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newman-b0b693