Metabolism Matters: From Fog to Focus with with Vespa & Ketones

In ultra-endurance, maintaining metabolic performance is everything. This insightful clip with Peter, Scott and Abby Jenkins discuss how optimizing metabolic performance with Vespa, ketones, and other supplements achieves the steady energy flow for focus late into a multi-day ultra.. This isn’t about hype—it’s about unlocking metabolic potential including the cognitive benefits of performance level fat adaptation.

The Metabolic Foundation

Peter reminds us: before reaching for the hyped up ketone supplements, being fat adapted, including the use of VESPA must form the foundation because, without it, exogenous ketones can backfire—shutting down the liver’s ability to release the full suite of energy substrates (glucose from fat, glycogen, fatty acids, and ketones).

Scott, already fat-adapted thanks to his training and consistent Vespa use, is the ideal candidate for microdosing ketone esters. This approach avoids the risk of overdosing allowing the body to make use of exogenous ketone supplementation alongside what's already being produced metabolically for optimal focus, clarity and endurance.

Ketones: Fuel for the Brain, Not Just the Body

Peter emphasizes that ketones don’t necessarily make you faster, but they do help you keep your head in the game by improving focus and coordination while reducing perceived effort. Scott felt this firsthand during the final leg of his race—from Casablanca to the finish—when Peter gave him a custom concoction of high-dose vitamin D, K2, CoQ10 (ubiquinol), and possibly glycine propionyl-L-carnitine in addition to microdosing of ketones.. The result? Scott crushed the final section of a 300+ mile ultra with alertness and consistent energy.

The Danger of Overstacking

This isn’t just about adding more fuel—it’s about balance. Peter shares how Jeff Browning experienced a serious crash after combining too much caffeine with ketones triggering a drug interaction which, combined with dust and pollen, resulted in a cascade of vasoconstriction that compromised oxygen delivery. The lesson? Smart stacking requires understanding how these compounds interact, especially in high-stress environments like ultra-endurance events.

Smart Supplementation for Long Hauls

Fat-adapted athletes can safely tap into strategic tools like:

Ketone esters (microdosed) for mental clarity
High-dose vitamin D at night to counter melatonin and improve alertness
Ubiquinol (CoQ10) & NAD supplementation for mitochondrial energy
Vitamin K2 to assist with absorption and synergy
Carnitine/Glycine blends to further aid fat metabolism and vascular health

This blend doesn’t replace Vespa—but enhances fat adaptation on a metabolic level.

📌 Conclusion

Scott and Abby’s discussion with Peter highlights the next evolution of ultra-endurance fueling. Through using VESPA and fat adaptation strategies, strategic ketone micro-dosing and targeted supplements yields next level consistency, mental clarity and metabolic output without the crash. It's a nuanced and individualized edge—one built on metabolic capacity, not shortcuts.