5 Frequently Asked Questions We Get As Nutrition And Health Experts

Caitlyn Davey • July 8, 2025

Five important questions from a health perspectiveAs coaches and nutritionists, Sean and James are constantly being asked for tips and advice on health and fitness-related things. On episode 51 of the Rebuild Health and Fitness Podcast, we discuss some common questions that people ask regarding health and nutrition.  Should you have protein before bed? There are some advantages to having your largest serving of protein before bed. In terms of sleep science, the earlier you can have your last meal, the better. Say you have your meal at 6pm and go to bed at 9pm; that will enhance your sleep quality because your body won't be working as hard digesting food as you sleep. This means that your body's going to be in a more restful state, not working hard while you're trying to rest.  Can I take pre-workout before a team sport or game, and will it improve my performance?Yes, if you want. But it’s trial and error - if you think pre-workout helps improve your performance in a team sports environment, go for it. But we need to remember the main thing that gets you going from pre-workout is the caffeine that acts as a stimulant. And we can't underestimate the placebo effect that has.  The research shows that caffeine is massive. A lot of caffeine does this for you, usually 2-6 milligrams of caffeine per kilo of body weight. This will vary then depending on caffeine tolerance. So, to get the effect that you want, you’re probably talking 5-6 milligrams of caffeine, which is a hell of a lot of caffeine. One of the most significant contributors is, what time is your game? If it’s midday Saturday - go for it. But if you’re playing a night-time game of basketball at 8pm, we would probably advise you not to because then your sleep will be affected. From a general training standpoint, for our members in the gym, we generally advise not having pre-workout in the afternoon just because it's going to mess with your sleep so much. And that's going to be more detrimental to your training and recovery over the coming days and weeks. I train 1-2 hours of strength and conditioning training, six days a week. Is it a sufficient amount of training for someone who sits for eight hours a day? Yes, definitely. In terms of progress, we don't know if you're talking about overall health, but constantly moving will be more beneficial. If we can train and then we can move as much as possible throughout the day, that will be more beneficial than just sitting there. But it comes down to the optimal-suboptimal scenario. If I was going to build muscle and did not want to lose any of my gains sitting for eight hours and not moving, then training for two hours at the gym, that’s probably pretty good. For optimal health or maybe weight maintenance or loss -  that’s certainly enough training.  In your opinion, what are the most important factors for optimal health?Talking specifically, physical, training, nutrition; we’ve mentioned a million times, health is more than training and nutrition. Training and putting yourself in a hole or challenging yourself is so important and valuable. We spoke about that on the discomfort podcast, we need these challenges to overcome because it makes us more resilient. Nutrition plays a role in that; a good little rule is always the 80-20 rule. 80% of the time – good and nutritious foods, 20% of the time you have the freedom to whatever you want. But f you go too far the other way, that will negatively affect your training and body composition and then your head. Everything is on a bit of a spectrum in it. For optimal health: training, taking care of your nutrition, having a social life, managing stress, and sleeping well are of utmost importance.  What are some good pre or post-workout snacks and meal ideas for building muscle and dropping body fat?The simple rule of thumb we like to use is that it depends on how far before the training session you will be eating. If you have 20-40 grams protein plus carbohydrates, anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours before, will do pretty well. As for post-training, just have some protein; you don't need to have carbohydrates – you could have some, but there’s just not any added benefit for muscle growth and repair.  If you have burning questions about health, listen to the podcast below, or if you want help with your nutrition, get in touch with our team. Team@rebuildhealthandfitness.com.    

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July 22, 2025
If you live in Wynnum or Capalaba , chances are you’ve seen a bootcamp in action — high-intensity sessions in parks, with lots of burpees, sprints, and shouting. While bootcamps can be a fun way to get sweaty, there’s a reason more people are choosing structured strength training instead. At Rebuild, we often meet people who’ve jumped from one bootcamp to another, chasing results they never quite achieve, or can’t maintain. Here’s why strength training, not bootcamp-style fitness, is the smarter long-term approach for your health and body. 1. Progress Over Punishment Bootcamps often focus on burning calories and pushing people to their limits every session. It feels intense — but it’s usually random. There’s no plan beyond “go hard”. Strength training is different. It’s measured, progressive, and adaptable . Whether you’re lifting a barbell or doing bodyweight movements, the goal is to build skill, strength, and confidence over time. You're not punished for where you're at — you're coached toward where you want to be. 2. Stronger Muscles = Better Results Cardio-heavy bootcamps might help you lose weight quickly, but they rarely help you build muscle, and muscle is the key to long-term fat loss, strength, and mobility . When you train with resistance (weights, bands, or bodyweight), your body becomes more efficient. You burn more calories at rest, move better, and feel more capable in everyday life. And unlike bootcamps, strength training actually preserves lean mass while you're in a calorie deficit — which matters if your goal is body composition, not just weight loss. 3. Individual Coaching Matters Most bootcamps have one instructor yelling instructions to a big group. There’s rarely time to check your technique, let alone adjust for injuries, experience, or confidence levels. At Rebuild, our group sessions are coach-led and purpose-built . We take time to teach proper form, scale movements to your ability, and track your progress. You're not just surviving a workout — you’re learning how to move better and train smarter. 4. It’s Not Just About Today’s Workout Bootcamps often lack structure. You show up, do something exhausting, and leave. There’s no continuity or long-term planning. Strength training follows a programmed approach , meaning each week builds on the last. You’ll have sessions designed to improve specific movements and outcomes — whether that’s lifting more weight, increasing core strength, or mastering your first pull-up. That structure keeps you consistent, motivated, and injury-free. 5. Sustainability Over Shock Tactics If you’re tired of the “go hard or go home” mentality, strength training is for you. It’s adaptable to all ages, bodies, and goals . You’ll get fitter, stronger, and more confident — without burning out or breaking down. Ready to train with purpose? If you're looking for something better than a bootcamp in Wynnum or Capalaba , join us at Rebuild. We coach real people — not fitness models — to get real results. 📍 Structured training 📍 Expert coaches 📍 Community that has your back You don’t need to be fit to start. You just need to start.
July 22, 2025
A lot of people have completed a marathon but how many people have collapsed at 40km?

Sometimes you do everything right, and shit still doesn’t go to plan.
 Last weekend I ran in the Gold Coast Marathon, my first ever marathon. I trained properly, my body felt relatively good (all things considered when preparing to run 42.2km), I carb-loaded, and my race day nutrition was dialled in.
 I was ready.
 We set off. Jess and the kids met me at different points on the course with signs, the atmosphere was great. I loved seeing the kids with their signs. Pacing felt on point. The first 21km? Easy. I felt great. Maybe I should’ve drunk more water, but I didn’t think too much of it at the time.
 At 25km, I felt slower, but pace wise I was still holding well. I’d kept telling myself throughout the day "The race starts at 30km." And let me tell you, it does.
 By 30km, the sun was out, and I was starting to struggle. My watch started glitching so I had no real idea of my splits. I thought I was slowing down a lot (turns out I wasn’t), but the effort to keep the same pace suddenly felt 10x harder.
 I hadn’t taken on enough water. Usually, I can get away with lower fluids. Not this time. Dehydration crept in. hard.
 At 35km I was in survival mode, one foot in front of the other, flicking between moments of pain and little short lived waves of “let’s go.” But by 39km I was delirious. I could see the finish line, I hit the 40km mark (where I thought enjoyment might return to finish), and I collapsed.
 I was gone. Scary stuff.
 The last few hundred metres were a complete blur. All I remember is the crowd, the medics, and about five paramedics suddenly around me. I was vomiting, shaking, confused, in and out of it. I had this overwhelming, indescribable feeling, and honestly, for a moment, I thought I could die.
 My memory went. I couldn’t recall the day, the year, where I lived, or how to spell. I only knew who Jess and the kids were, and that I didn’t want them to see me with wires in me. 
 My temperature had hit 40°C. Blood pressure crashed. Thankfully, the medics and paramedics were incredible, I had a drip running into me within 10 to 15 minutes.
 As I already knew, I’m stubborn. I wanted to run it all. Not walk. Not stop and breathe and In hindsight, I should have. 
 Seems like my mind was just a bit stronger than my body on the day. I never thought I could push myself there in all honesty. 

Am I gutted? Of course, I was only 2km away but I gave it everything I had on that day. Heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration got me. 

I am always reminded here of the quote ‘The man in the arena’ look it up if you need. 
 Will I run 42.2km again? Yes, I feel I need to. 

Would I do things differently, now I’ve run 40km under race conditions? You bet, lessons learnt. Always lessons. Never be scared to not succeed. Be scared to never try in the first place. 
 We go again.
By Caitlyn Davey July 8, 2025
You Need To Earn The Right To Be Good At Something
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