Find Your Inner Hummingbird: Easy Fueling for Any Athlete

Written By Tarin O'Donnell

Some episodes feel especially timely, and this was one of them.

Coming off wrestling postseason, feeling that familiar mix of adrenaline and exhaustion, this conversation about energy hit differently. Not in a performance-optimization way. In a very human way.

I sat down with Lisa, co-founder of Hummingbird Fuels, to talk about fueling, endurance, and why so many of us assume feeling wrecked is just part of doing hard things. But what if it’s not?

🎧 Listen to the full episode above.

When the Fun Part Stops Feeling Fun

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation wasn’t about watts or grams of carbs. It was about awareness.

We talk a lot about legs, lungs, and pushing through. But when energy drops, it’s not just your body that feels it. It’s your focus. Your decision-making. Your ability to have fun. The downhill. The part you worked for.

How many times have you finished a ride, a tour, a long day outside and thought, why did that feel so hard? And just accepted it as normal?

Fueling During, Not Just After

So many of us were taught to eat after. To recover after. To push through during. Fueling during the effort — not just after — isn’t about being elite. It’s about supporting your body so you don’t completely empty the tank before the fun part.

It’s about sustainability.
It’s about not turning every hard thing into a survival exercise.

Keeping It Simple

We also talked about how intimidating the nutrition world can feel. Gels. Ratios. Numbers. Performance culture.

And then Lisa dropped this:

“If you take away all the bullshit around it, it’s literally just a better way of fueling.”

That’s it.

Not optimization for ego.
Not suffering as a badge of honor.
Not saving everything for the post-ride binge.

Just finding your inner hummingbird.

Refuel. Keep moving. Stay light. 🐦

Follow Lisa & Hummingbird Fuels

Hummingbird Fuels → ⁠https://hummingbirdfuels.com⁠

Instagram → ⁠@hummingbirdfuels

Strava Club → ⁠Hummingbird Fuels⁠

Lisa → @hustleandahalf

Stay Connected with Tarin It Up

Tarin O'Donnell

I’m Tarin O’Donnell, the voice behind Tarin It Up — a podcast, brand, and community celebrating women who carve their own paths in the outdoors, business, and everyday life. When I’m not behind the mic, you’ll find me creating events, testing gear, or chasing adventures around Truckee and beyond. My goal? To share real stories, spark connection, and encourage others to live a little more boldly.

https://www.tarinitup.com
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