Advertise on podcast: The Fit Ref Podcast with Justin Slimm

I’m 38, have a full-time job, two kids, and I just signed up for my first ultramarathon — a 50K race with 2,300m of elevation. The only race I’ve ever done before this was a half marathon. This episode is my full breakdown: Why I signed up What I’m training for (and against) How I lost 70 pounds chasing the NHL My weekly running and strength routine What I eat to hit 4,500 calories a day The mental fatigue that comes with being a dad, husband, and manager How our “Rad Dads Running Group” turned into a form of therapy Why I train for performance, not aesthetics No hype, no hacks. Just one guy documenting the reality of chasing a big goal while life keeps coming.

In July, I had a chance to chat with a group of up-and-coming officials in Alberta. This one is a long listen -- enjoy! And hit me up on social media if you like content like this @slimmfitness.

In this episode of the Fit Ref Podcast, host Justin Slimm welcomes back Dan Hanoomansingh, Manager of Officiating for Hockey Canada, for an insightful conversation on the upcoming 2024 hockey season. They discuss the evolving landscape of officiating post-pandemic, the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive culture for officials, and the growing demand for neckguards following recent incidents. Dan also shares insights on officiating development, the role of fitness and communication for success, and Hockey Canada's ongoing efforts to improve retention through mentorship and community building. Additionally, the two reflect on the tragic passing of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, honoring their legacy while acknowledging the mental health struggles such events can cause in the hockey community. This episode emphasizes the importance of resilience, teamwork, and self-care both on and off the ice.

🎙️ Welcome back to another episode of The Fit Ref Podcast! 🏒 After a two-month hiatus, we dive into the whirlwind of activities that have kept me busy. From the nerve-wracking return to hockey officiating after a six-year break to running multiple marathons and even participating in an ultra-marathon team race, it's been a journey filled with ups and downs. 📊 Racing Stats: Half Marathon 1 in Canmore: 40th overall out of 671, time 1:43 Half Marathon 2: 30th overall out of 336, time 1:39 Canmore Ultra Marathon Team Race: 11th out of 42 teams, completing the first leg in about an hour Alongside the races and events, I also share tips on maintaining optimal fitness and nutrition—both on and off the ice. Whether you're an athlete, a ref, or someone juggling multiple roles, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in and let's continue the journey toward fitness, self-improvement, and a balanced life together!

I'm Justin, your guide and certified nutrition coach, on this journey through the often confusing world of nutrition. In this episode, I delve into a concerning trend of misinformation in nutrition, especially spotlighting a recent video that's muddying the waters with fear-driven narratives. Together, we'll counteract those myths with solid, evidence-based truths, ensuring you're empowered with the knowledge you deserve. I recognize that discussions around nutrition can hit close to home for many. If you, or someone you know in Calgary, Alberta, is facing challenges with an eating disorder, please know there's support available. The Calgary Eating Disorder Program can be reached at (403) 943-1500, ext 3. For anyone in Canada needing immediate assistance, the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) offers help at 1-866-633-4220. Join me as we embark on a mission of understanding, clarity, and hope for a future brimming with genuine nutritional wisdom.

Welcome back to the "Ref Fit Podcast with Justin Slimm," your comprehensive guide to fitness, nutrition, and life in the sporting world. Formerly known as the Calgary Fitness Podcast, this rebranded platform embarks on an exciting journey, exploring everything from refereeing and sports to family life, longevity, and hormones. Your host, Justin Slimm, is a former hockey referee with a passion for fitness. His unique blend of personal experience and expert insights offers valuable tips and inspiring stories to boost your health and well-being. Each episode delves deep into guidelines for enhancing performance—both on and off the ice—addressing the critical role of rest, nutrition, and movement. Sleep is spotlighted as a game-changer, not just for young athletes, but for individuals at all life stages. Our discussions around nutrition revolutionize the language around food, promoting a balance of "growing foods" and "fun foods" to ensure sustainable success. Movement, the third pillar of our journey, is not confined to traditional exercise. From skating games to resistance training, yoga, Pilates, dance, and even Zumba, we advocate for joyful movement that aligns with your life and meets the Canadian guidelines of 150 minutes of movement per week. A highlight of each episode is the engaging Q&A session, where we address how to make fitness and nutrition sustainable within the context of your busy life. A personal transformation story, where Slimm reveals his remarkable 70-pound weight loss in just 10 months, adds an inspiring touch, showing how such a change can open incredible opportunities. We also address the culture within officiating, with the aim of shifting the focus towards preparation and performance. By learning how to plan meals on the go, you can effectively fuel your body and enhance your performance on the ice. The ultimate goal? To create a sustainable approach to nutrition, fitness, and officiating that propels you towards success in your career and overall well-being. Embrace the "you versus you" mindset, focusing on your own progress, and celebrating your achievements along the way. The "Ref Fit Podcast" is here to inspire, educate, and entertain you as we explore the fascinating world of fitness, nutrition, and referee life together. So, lace up your skates, get ready to move, and join us on this remarkable journey to unlock your full potential—both on and off the ice. Welcome to the "Ref Fit Podcast with Justin Slimm," where we make an impact, together!

Help the podcast out by supporting our friends at truLOCAL. To get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef added to your order, make sure you enter the code TRUSLIMMFITNESS at checkout when you purchase your first regular box. Find out all the details, and what truLOCAL has to offer and get started on eating better today! Today's episode is an update from Jeff Osadec, how baseball players should train, and what to look for to avoid over-training and injury. 

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Dan Hanoomansingh with Hockey Canada about the upcoming hockey season. It's been a different year with the pandemic, so I wanted to get his take on how officiating will be different and how officials can thrive.  If you're interested in becoming an on-ice official, please contact your local branch, or you can find more information, here: https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/hockey-programs/officiating Help the podcast out by supporting our friends at truLOCAL. To get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef added to your order, make sure you enter the code TRUSLIMMFITNESS at checkout when you purchase your first regular box. Find out all the details, and what truLOCAL has to offer and get started on eating better today!

In today's episode of the podcast, I am doing a Facebook live for our talented group of hockey officials in Alberta. We do these Facebook lives once per month, and I also want to get a greater reach out there and publish it for you!  If you're enjoying the podcast, please make sure you leave a five star rating and written review so that we can grow this thing to reach more officials.  Help the podcast out by supporting our friends at truLOCAL. To get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef added to your order, make sure you enter the code TRUSLIMMFITNESS at checkout when you purchase your first regular box. Find out all the details, and what truLOCAL has to offer and get started on eating better today!

It's been a while! Things have been busy, but I'm happy to be behind the mic again to bring you some great information that may help you in your fitness and nutrition journey.  Today's episode is from a recording of a Facebook Live I did with some Hockey Alberta officials.  Help the podcast out by supporting our friends at truLOCAL. To get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef added to your order, make sure you enter the code TRUSLIMMFITNESS at checkout when you purchase your first regular box. Find out all the details, and what truLOCAL has to offer and get started on eating better today! 

Mental health is not a weakness. Let's just start there. It's not something that you need to hide, feel weak for, or even minimize your struggles.  It's real, just as much as breaking your leg, having a cold, or not sleeping well is.  Bob Wilkie has an amazing story. As a young athlete who was in the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus crash, he has dealt with extensive trauma in his life. But instead of cowering to it and being a victim to it, he put himself through a healing journey once he retired professional hockey, and is now spreading that message to other athletes.  For more information on how athletes are being empowered today, see what I Got Mind is up to.  Thank you to our friends at truLOCAL for making this podcast possible. To get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef added to your first regular box, enter the code SLIMMFITNESS at checkout. 

Gyms, boutiques and fitness facilities in Alberta continue to hope for news on whether they can re-open safely and provide high-intensity training again to their clients.   Meanwhile, the Fitness Industry Council of Canada is hoping that the federal government includes gym memberships as a tax deduction in the upcoming budget.   This interview with Scott Wildeman, the president of the FIC, is packed full of information as studios look to navigate the current COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta, and also Canada. Thank you to our friends at truLocal for making this podcast possible. A lot of people are using grocery delivery services and truLOCAL connects you right to the farmer, providing high-end, local to your province meats -- delivered right to your door. Use the code TRUSLIMMFITNESS at checkout, and get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef on the house if you purchase a regular box.

Elaine and I had a chance to connect right before IMPACT put out its Top Fitness Instructors of 2021. IMPACT is a publication that puts out some of the best science-based fitness, nutrition and health information to help you on your journey. Obviously, this past year has been like no other, so I wanted to see how a magazine of this nature was able to deal with some real adversity to come out stronger on the other side.  If you enjoyed this episode, consider getting a free digital subscription to the magazine on IMPACT's website.  Also, remember to support local by signing up for a regular box with truLOCAL, a company that provides high-quality frozen meat, delivered right to your front door. Oh, and they only use local farmers so you know the product didn't have to travel far to get to you. Enter the code TRUSLIMMFITNESS at checkout to get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef when you purchase a regular box. Find out the benefits and how to sign up, here. 

I had a good chat with Micaela Widmer, who is a former Canadian Skeleton athlete and now coaches the sport. But what really drew me to her was that she is an ambassador for KidSport, an organization that helps kids get involved in organized sport.  To learn more about what she's up to, follow her on Instagram.  Until March 10, truLOCAL is offering three pounds of ground beef PLUS two pieces of Alaskan sockeye salmon for free as long as you purchase a regular box. Enter the code HAPPYMARCH at checkout. 

In today's episode, we speak with Marco Carducci, who is the goaltender for Calvary FC in Calgary. He's also an ambassador with KidSport, which is an amazing organization that helps kids under 18 get into organized sport through the help of grants and volunteers.  To learn more about what Marco is up to, follow him on Instagram.  If you're a fan of the show, you know that I love supporting local. That's why I believe truLOCAL is the best place to get your frozen meats delivered right to your door. They work with local farmers to help you get the best product! As a listener of this show, you can get three pounds of grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef added to your regular box if you enter the code TRUSLIMMFITNESS at checkout. Make your first order here!