About Dr. Phil Batterson
Where Science Meets Performance
I’m Dr. Phil Batterson — endurance athlete, physiologist, and performance coach. I help trail runners, cyclists, and mountain athletes break through plateaus, recover stronger, and perform at their best — all while training fewer hours and living more balanced lives.
My philosophy is simple: you don’t need to train more to get faster. You just need to train smarter — using your physiology as the guide.
My Story
Not long ago, I wasn’t sure I’d ever race again.
I was overtrained, burned out, and battling chronic hip and back pain that made even short runs miserable. Despite having a PhD in physiology, I was doing what most endurance athletes do — chasing more mileage, more intensity, and more volume, thinking that would lead to progress.
It didn’t.
It led to injuries, fatigue, and frustration.
The turning point came when I stopped training harder — and started training smarter. I rebuilt my entire approach around real physiology — using metabolic testing, blood analysis, and recovery data to guide every training block.
The result?
10+ months of consistent, injury-free training
VO₂max increase from 59 → 75 ml/kg/min
FTP jump from 280w → 340w
Top-15 finishes in trail and mountain races
And, most importantly, a training system that fits real life.
That same evidence-based framework now powers everything I do through Critical Oxygen.
My Mission
Most endurance athletes train harder than they need to — and still underperform.
My mission is to help them flip that script.
Through personalized coaching, physiology testing, and education, I help athletes understand their own bodies, balance stress and recovery, and get back to enjoying the process of training again.
Whether you’re chasing a PR, coming back from burnout, or just want to feel healthy and strong again, I’ll help you turn the science of performance into a system that fits your life.
What Makes Critical Oxygen Different
🧬 Science-Backed Systems – Every plan is guided by real physiology — not guesswork.
🧗♂️ Built for Real Athletes – Training fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.
🔬 Lab-Grade Precision – VO₂max, lactate thresholds, and RMR testing available in the lab or field.
💪 Proven Results – From elite competitors to busy professionals, my athletes consistently achieve breakthroughs with fewer hours and less stress.
My Credentials
PhD, Molecular Exercise Physiology
15+ years of endurance coaching and testing experience
ACRA Rowing National Champion
Former collegiate cross-country coach (high school & junior college championship programs)
5 peer-reviewed publications in human performance and metabolism
Worked with Olympic medalists, national-level endurance athletes, and hundreds of everyday athletes seeking longevity and performance
Host of the Critical Oxygen Podcast and creator of the Endurance Optimization Blueprint
Why Athletes Work With Me
Because I’ve been where you are.
I know what it’s like to train hard, see minimal results, and wonder if your best days are behind you.
The truth?
They’re not.
You just need a system that respects your physiology — not a one-size-fits-all plan.
That’s what we build together at Critical Oxygen.
Let’s Work Together
Whether you’re ready for Performance Coaching, want full Elite Health & Performance Optimization, or prefer to start by learning through the Endurance Blueprint, there’s a path for every athlete.