Why We Use Cocoa Elite for Recovery

We asked three of our athletes a few questions on why they use Cocoa Elite for fueling their recovery. Victor Pataky, Eddie Garcia and Ryan Bugler provided the following comments. 

1. Which Cocoa Elite products do you use?

VP: I enjoy using the Complete Body Recovery Protein powder. It is a staple for post-workout recovery for me.

RB: Looking at my progression of Cocoa Elite product use is interesting. When I initially began using their products I solely used their Complete Body Protein. I was pretty ignorant when it came to recovery or even what my body needed so I defaulted to the train of thought that all I needed was protein. Thankfully, the Cocoa Elite family not only provides great products, they also provide phenomenal resources so that you can learn all that you can about what your body needs and when. (I highly recommend taking a look at their blogs page: https://cocoaelite.com/category/news/).
 
For instance, when training up in Silver City, New Mexico at 6,000 ft. elevation and often times 100+ degree heat, I would find myself using Cocoa Elite’s Elite Endurance product line to keep myself hydrated and able to recover between sessions when I was doubling up workouts. These days, when training with the ASICS GTC Elite program in Greenville, SC, I am able to find consistency in my use of Cocoa Elite’s Sleepy Time Recovery as well as their flagship Complete Body Recovery Cocoa Powder.

EG:  Cocoa Elite Complete Body Protein and Cocoa Elite Sleepy Time are the two products that I use with training daily. I am long distance runner specializing in the marathon distance and recovery in between sessions are crucial for optimal training and performance. Cocoa Elite Complete Recovery is my go to protein supplement to take after a challenging workout session. Sleepy Time is a product that helps me recover during the night while I rest and also helps with getting adequate rest.


2. For each product you selected, why do you use it?

VP: ​I use the Cocoa Elite Recovery Protein powder because it truly makes a difference in how quickly I can bounce back from a workout. I need to recover quickly to be able to be my best for the next session. I also like how it is a very simple product (3 ingredients), so I know exactly what is going in my body. The great chocolate taste it has makes it an all around fantastic product.

RB: The easy answer to this is simply to aid in my endeavor to become the greatest runner and athlete that I can be. More specifically, very few products out there can provide the proper nutrients needed to increase insulin levels while also having a positive impact on the cardiovascular system and blood circulation, thanks to the added flavanols. It also doesn’t hurt that each product carries a flavor that you cannot get enough of!

EG:  I use the Cocoa Elite Complete Body Recovery as soon as I finish working out to help speed up recovery. Cocoa Elite helps repair and rebuild my muscles after workouts and also helps to regulate my blood sugar, so that I am not feeling hungry after a run is over. I use the Sleepy Time, which contains both casein and melatonin to help rebuild muscles and aid in sleep respectively. Recovery is arguably one of the most important components to any training regimen and Cocoa Elite is a brand that I trust to get me ready for my next session or race. 
 
3. What is your favorite flavor (if optional flavors are offered)?

VP: I love the chocolate flavor because it tastes just like chocolate milk! You cannot beat that!

RB: I will admit that I’m a bit boring when it comes to most of their flavor choices. In my defense, it is because nothing beats the original cocoa flavor! Outside of my normal go-to flavor pallets, I genuinely enjoy their arctic blast flavor line and highly recommend it to anyone who does the bulk of their training in the heat of the day. It is incredibly hard to find something more refreshing than when you finish a workout under the beating sun and are able to treat yourself to an arctic blast.

EG: I have enjoyed the original Cocoa Elite Complete Body Recovery flavor. It contains cocoa and is very nourishing after a really challenging workout. Knowing that I have Cocoa Elite at my disposal after practice gives me something to look forward to and is rewarding at the same time. I  really enjoy mixing Cocoa Elite with milk or water and sometimes I get creative and make a smoothie as well. I usually add milk, ice, cocoa elite, and a banana.

4. How often do you use Cocoa Elite?

VP: I use Cocoa Elite after every hard session we do (about 4x per week). I also use it after every session the week of a race just to ensure that I am as ready as I can be. 

RB: Multiple times a day, every day. The versatility of these products goes beyond just the standard post-workout recovery drink. I add a scoop of their Complete Body Recovery Protein to my steel cut oats each morning to add some much-needed flavor and use the Sleepy Time Recovery each night as I’m getting ready for bed to not only aid me in my recovery during the night, but also to help me relax and fall asleep. Cocoa Elite is ahead of the curve in knowing that recovery is a 24/7 process and sleep is a big part of that.

EG:  I use Cocoa Elite everyday both in the mornings after practice and in the evenings before bed. I can recall during my build up for the 2019 Houston Marathon, taking cocoa elite was a huge priority. As a matter of fact, before departing for Houston, I made sure to pack my Cocoa Elite Complete Body Protein and Cocoa Elite Sleepy Time, so that I can stay in my recovery routine. I believe in consistency with every component of training and recovery is no different. This is a practice that I still implement whenever I travel for any competition. 


5. Do you believe it enhances your performance or recovery?
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VP: Definitely! I feel ready to go for my afternoon sessions when I take it after our morning workouts. I have noticed a substantial difference in how my body feels the day after those hard sessions as well. Cocoa Elite helps me recover so I can put in my best effort day in and day out.

RB: Trick question! The answer is both as they are synonymous in athletics or any sport for that matter. You cannot have one without the other, and that is why having Cocoa Elite in my corner provides me with a competitive edge on the starting line. It is a powerful feeling knowing that I am as recovered and strong as I can be when it matters most. 

EG: I believe that there is a positive correlation between Cocoa Elite and better performance as well as better recovery. However, I believe that seeing improvements in both performance and recovery requires consistency. I make sure to always use Cocoa Elite after practice within a 30 minute window of finishing the workout to help start the recovery process and before bed every night. 

For example in order for me to reach my competitive running goals, I not only have to practice daily, but also make sure to do all of the "little things" (stretching, foam rolling, hydration, adequate rest etc.) I will not reach my goals by doing this for a few days or weeks. It is by doing this continually for many months and not missing any component before I will start to see improvements in my running. I consider taking Cocoa Elite one of the many "little things" that make up the biggest difference between falling short and exceeding my goals. 

I also believe in this product and its added benefits to training, so I believe that this is a key component to the effectiveness of Cocoa Elite in my case. I would recommend this product to anyone looking to reach his or her exercise or competitive goals.

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