JRE #685 – Jeff Novitzky

8/18/2015

This podcast dives into the world of performance-enhancing drugs in sports, particularly focusing on the UFC and the impact of Jeff Novitzky’s work in anti-doping. Novitzky, known for his role in taking down Lance Armstrong, discusses the complexities of drug testing, the ethical dilemmas faced by athletes, and the evolution of doping techniques. Provocative topics include the controversial use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in MMA, the dangers of extreme weight cutting, and the emergence of gene doping as a potential future threat. Underlying themes explore the pressure athletes face to succeed, the constant battle against cheating, and the evolving strategies for detecting and deterring performance-enhancing drug use.

Podcast Topics

1. The Lance Armstrong Investigation and Its Impact:

• Novitzky’s involvement as a case agent in the investigation of Lance Armstrong’s steroid use.
• The public outcry surrounding the government’s focus on athletes, particularly in comparison to more serious crimes.
• The ripple effect of the case on youth athletes and the broader societal message about integrity and ethical behavior.
• The controversial nature of the investigation and its implications for the legal justice system.

2. Steroids and their pervasiveness in sports:

• The widespread use of steroids in sports like cycling and baseball during the 1990s.
• The pressure athletes felt to use steroids to reach their full potential.
• The emotional toll of making the decision to use steroids.
• The potential health risks associated with steroid use, particularly for young athletes.

3. The Sophistication of Doping in Cycling:

• The advanced techniques employed by cyclists to manipulate blood tests and avoid detection.
• The use of machines to test blood levels and ensure they fall within acceptable ranges.
• The introduction of the biological passport, a longitudinal tracking of blood and urine markers to identify abnormal fluctuations.
• The potential for overtraining to create false positive results on biological passports, requiring more targeted and intelligent testing.

4. The Evolution of Doping Methods:

• The development of new testosterone variants, including plant-based and animal-based testosterone, which can potentially evade detection.
• The shift towards microdosing, using smaller amounts of testosterone for recovery rather than building massive muscle mass.
• The emergence of new drugs, like “oxygen in a pill,” which mimic the effects of EPO.
• The constant race between scientists and athletes, with new drugs and testing methods constantly emerging.

5. The UFC’s Commitment to Anti-Doping:

• The UFC’s decision to hire Novitzky as VP of Athlete Health and Performance, signaling a serious commitment to clean competition.
• The implementation of a comprehensive anti-doping program, including year-round testing and a stricter policy on prohibited substances.
• The adoption of the USADA’s (United States Anti-Doping Agency) testing protocols, known for their rigor and independence.
• The emphasis on transparency, with public disclosure of testing results and athlete whereabouts.

6. The Controversial Use of TRT in MMA:

• The previous allowance of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in MMA by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
• The ethical concerns surrounding TRT use in young athletes, suggesting underlying health issues or potential steroid abuse.
• The potential for manipulation of TRT tests, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine medical needs and performance enhancement.
• The UFC’s decision to ban TRT, reflecting a shift towards a more stringent anti-doping policy.

7. The Dangers of Extreme Weight Cutting in MMA:

• The practice of extreme weight cutting, particularly the day before a fight, to compete in a lower weight class.
• The use of IVs for rehydration, previously allowed but now banned, as a potential method to mask drug use.
• The health risks associated with extreme weight cutting, including dehydration, kidney damage, and compromised performance.
• The potential need for additional weight classes in the UFC to reduce the pressure on athletes to make extreme weight cuts.

8. The Role of Training and Conditioning:

• The varying approaches to strength and conditioning programs in MMA, with different philosophies regarding the importance of sparring, endurance work, and skill development.
• The potential for extreme weight cuts to negatively impact training and performance.
• The UFC’s development of a performance center to provide athletes with access to state-of-the-art training facilities and resources.
• The ongoing debate regarding the most effective training methods and the individual needs of athletes.

9. The Ethical and Medical Implications of Gene Doping:

• The emergence of CRISPR technology and its potential for gene manipulation, raising concerns about creating “super athletes.”
• The potential for gene doping to be undetectable, creating a new challenge for anti-doping programs.
• The long-term health risks associated with gene manipulation, which are still largely unknown.
• The ethical considerations surrounding gene doping and the potential for its misuse.

10. The Role of Supplements in Anti-Doping:

• The widespread use of supplements by athletes, raising concerns about potential contamination with banned substances.
• The FDA’s limited oversight of the supplement industry, making it difficult to ensure product safety and purity.
• The importance of athlete education and awareness regarding the risks of using supplements.
• The UFC’s policy on mitigating factors that can reduce sanctions for inadvertent contamination.

11. The Difference Between In-Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing:

• The different substances tested for in-competition and out-of-competition testing, with recreational drugs only tested for during a limited window around a fight.
• The controversy surrounding John Jones’s positive test for cocaine out of competition and the lack of punishment due to a testing error.
• The importance of accuracy and consistency in testing to maintain public trust and credibility.
• The need for a more comprehensive approach to anti-doping, including stricter testing protocols for recreational drugs.

12. The Controversial Issue of Marijuana in MMA:

• The increasing legalization of marijuana and the debate over its use in sports.
• The Nevada State Athletic Commission’s recent change in marijuana testing standards, raising the threshold for a positive test.
• The potential for marijuana to be a performance-enhancing drug, particularly for endurance athletes and pain management.
• The ethical and legal considerations surrounding marijuana use in MMA and the ongoing debate about its status as a banned substance.

13. The Importance of Athlete Education and Awareness:

• The need for athletes to understand the risks and consequences of performance-enhancing drug use.
• The importance of athletes being proactive in managing their health and making informed choices about supplements and training methods.
• The role of athletes’ support personnel in providing guidance and education regarding anti-doping policies.
• The ongoing challenge of balancing athlete autonomy with the need for clean competition.

14. The Potential for Future Challenges in Anti-Doping:

• The constant emergence of new doping methods and the need for anti-doping programs to stay ahead of the curve.
• The potential for the development of undetectable doping methods, requiring further innovation in testing technologies.
• The ethical considerations surrounding gene doping and the potential need for new regulations.
• The ongoing battle against cheating and the importance of maintaining a level playing field in sports.

15. The Importance of Independent Testing and Transparency:

• The benefits of having an independent authority administer anti-doping programs, reducing the risk of bias and ensuring fairness.
• The importance of transparency in testing procedures, including the publication of athlete testing results and whereabouts information.
• The need to build trust and credibility in anti-doping programs to ensure athlete buy-in and deter cheating.
• The potential for anti-doping programs to set a standard for clean competition and inspire other sports leagues to follow suit.

16. The Impact of Doping on Athletes’ Legacies:

• The long-lasting damage that doping can have on an athlete’s reputation and legacy.
• The difficulty of separating an athlete’s achievements from their use of performance-enhancing drugs.
• The importance of transparency and accountability in sports to protect the integrity of competition.
• The ongoing debate about the role of doping in sports and its impact on athletes’ careers.

Memorable Quotes

• “I think about the number of conversations that probably happened around dinner table between parents and kids because of these cases, gotta be in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. And that alone right there, you know, I think would justify the resources that were spent.” – Novitzky highlights the ripple effect of his investigations on families and young athletes.
• “It’s at a whole new level. And yeah. I mean, Dana and Lorenzo from the minute, you know, I had conversations with him before coming over here. I’ve jumped. fully onboarded this. And I think everybody realizes that, you know, from a business standpoint, especially short term, this this could hurt the UFC. But, you know, in terms of long term and short term health and safety of their fighters, which I’m telling you these guys are on board with they care about their athletes. I mean, this speaks volumes of what they’re doing.” – Novitzky emphasizes the UFC’s commitment to athlete health and safety, even at the expense of short-term profits.
• “I think a lot of it was guilt in terms of the decision that they ultimately did made, but just the pressure of of coming to that moment, either giving up your lifelong dream or hey, kid, if you wanna go further, this is what you gotta do. And in some instances, you know, kinda rebuffing that and not doing it, and then after you’re realizing shit. I really do need to do this or I can’t go any further. Have many, many of those stories told to me.” – Novitzky shares the heartbreaking stories of athletes who felt pressured to use performance-enhancing drugs to reach their full potential.
• “They did. I mean, that’s why he was brought in there. But, you know, when he was brought in, it was made very clear that, look, you’ve been troubleshooting you for using steroids he was given immunity actually shown that as long as you tell the truth, you’re not a target in this thing. You’re just a witness, so tell the truth. But he was never convicted for using steroids. Right?” – Novitzky discusses the legal complexities surrounding steroid use and the difficulty of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• “I think you take things one step at a time. Let’s see. what this IV band does. Let’s see kinda what the education that we’re providing our athletes does. And, you know, always reevaluated month to month, year to year. I just think that there should be some sort of an option for these guys. I mean, the the idea that they have a 20 pound weight jump between 185205, and then there’s a big one is 205 to 265. I mean, that is fucking crazy. There’s a lot of guys that are small heavyweights or just dehydrated light heavyweights and they have to figure out what to do about something like that. I really think the UFC needs many more weight classes.” – Novitzky expresses his belief in the need for more weight classes in the UFC to address the challenges of extreme weight cutting.