About Us
Established 2024 in Aspen, Colorado, by brothers Benny Smith, a professional triathlete and runner, and Aaron Smith, a sports scientist and graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder.
My path into endurance sports has always been driven by an interest in performance and a deep curiosity about how to push both the body and mind further. I started my professional career as an eager 18-year-old, rushing into the sport with little understanding of what it would take to succeed. At 19, I raced my first elite World Championship and quickly learned that talent alone doesn’t make you an elite athlete. Over the years, I made every mistake imaginable, all in an effort to find the right approach to training.
The breakthrough came when I started using a lactate meter. This simple tool helped me better understand how my body was responding to different intensities. Before, I’d pushed myself to what I thought were optimal thresholds, but using the lactate meter allowed me to see exactly where my body was—and where it could improve.
This experience sparked a deeper interest in the Norwegian lactate model, which emphasizes subtle, science-backed adjustments to training. I was surprised by how simple it was to make these changes and see tangible results. It wasn’t about working harder or pushing through more pain—it was about smarter training and understanding where my body was operating best.
Around this time, my brother Aaron, a sports scientist with a background in biomechanics and physiology, joined me in refining this approach. Together, we created Sisu Endurance Lab, a place where we could apply our combined experience to help other athletes.
The more we worked together, the more I realized that much of the science behind training and recovery isn’t easy to access or apply. Many athletes, especially younger ones, struggle to find effective ways to optimize their training. We wanted to share what we’ve learned so others can train smarter, avoid common pitfalls, and make steady progress. Through coaching, testing, and data-driven analysis, we hope to give athletes the tools they need to succeed.