Podcast 362: How To Build Endurance with 8-Time Cyclocross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel

In this month’s edition of the How To Series, WHOOP Founder & CEO Will Ahmed sits down with one of the world’s most dominant cyclists, Mathieu van der Poel. Will and Mathieu unpack how to perform across disciplines, sustain longevity in elite-level sport, and embrace suffering for greatness.

Mathieu shares his training philosophy, what motivates him to push through the toughest moments of a race, and how he uses WHOOP data to optimize recovery. From sleep habits, to caffeine consumption, to strength training, Mathieu offers an inside look at how listening to his body and staying consistent drives performance.

Will and Mathieu reflect on the highs and lows of MVDP's career, from battling pneumonia at the Tour de France, to the impact his long-term team has made on his career, to the role of fierce rivalries in pushing him to the next level. This episode offers an exclusive look into the mindset it takes to be one of the best endurance athletes in the world. 

Chapter episodes

00:40 - Mathieu van der Poel on versatility as a cyclist

03:21 - Aspiring to go pro

04:36 - Measuring success in cycling

05:55 - Skills and metrics needed to gain power over the competition

08:06 - A week in training to gain endurance

09:13 - Essential recovery techniques

11:12 - Learning to enjoy the suffering in training

13:28 - Overcoming setbacks

15:10 - Importance of building a supportive team

16:32 - Mathieu’s motivations

20:23 - Turning to the data: Monitoring metrics throughout the race

23:55 - Strength training as a cyclist and mitigating injury

27:39 - Exciting new steps in van der Poel’s career

29:00 - Nutrition and intuitive eating before, during, and after race day

30:00 - Visualization and mindset’s role in cycling success

30:35 - WHOOP Podcast rapid fire Qs