From Talent to the Olympic Stage
Viktor Thorup didn’t grow up knowing he would become an Olympic speed skater.
Like many athletes, he tried multiple sports as a kid — but none of them quite stuck.
“I had tried so many different sports and never really felt talented,” he says. “But skating — I figured it out right away.”
What started as natural ability evolved into something deeper: a commitment to refining small details. Over time, Viktor learned to enjoy chasing marginal gains — tiny improvements that compound over years.
That mindset has carried him to the Olympic Games three times.
What It Takes to Compete at the Olympic Level
Competing on the world’s biggest sporting stage is about far more than race day.
“At this level, it’s the sum of so many small things,” Viktor explains. “I spent the last four years making sure those details are all on point and in my favour.”
Elite speed skating performance depends on:
- Aerobic conditioning
- Recovery efficiency
- Sleep quality
- Equipment optimization
- Nutrition strategy
- Mental focus
For Viktor, breathing became one of those performance variables worth examining.
Why Breathing Matters in Endurance Sports Like Speed Skating
After the 2022 Olympic Games, Viktor began evaluating every potential area for performance improvement — including breathing.
“Knowing that breathing is amongst the top fields for performance gains, I went on a journey to test, track, and learn.”
Nasal breathing plays an important role in:
- Oxygen efficiency
- Endurance output
- Carbon dioxide tolerance
- Nervous system regulation
- Recovery and sleep quality
For endurance athletes like speed skaters, efficient airflow can influence both training intensity and post-workout recovery.
Testing Nasal Breathing Tools: A Data-Driven Approach
Viktor didn’t adopt the first solution he tried.
“I tried more than five different brands, measured all my data for months, before concluding that Intake was the best one.”
As with equipment, nutrition, and training strategy, he approached breathing scientifically:
- Tracking heart rate variability (HRV)
- Monitoring resting heart rate
- Measuring training output
- Evaluating recovery metrics
Breathing support became part of his broader performance ecosystem — not a shortcut, but another detail to optimize.
How Viktor Uses Nasal Breathing in Training and Recovery
Today, nasal breathing support plays a role in both Viktor’s workouts and recovery.
“I use Intake for all my aerobic workouts. It lowers my effort for the same output, allowing me to go longer or go harder without additional fatigue.”
During racing, airflow and comfort matter under pressure.
But where he’s seen surprising benefits is in sleep and overnight recovery.
“Intake has allowed me to improve sleep, recovery, and overall well-being.”
For overnight use, he adjusts sizing to maximize nasal airflow. Over time, he has observed improvements in HRV and resting heart rate — two key markers often used to evaluate recovery readiness.
And there’s an added bonus:
“Eliminating my snoring may not have made me skate faster, but it definitely made my wife happier.”
The Connection Between Nasal Breathing, HRV, and Athletic Recovery
Heart rate variability (HRV) is commonly used by elite athletes to monitor recovery status and nervous system balance.
- Consistent nasal breathing may support:
- Parasympathetic nervous system activation
- Reduced nighttime disturbances
- Improved sleep quality
- Recovery efficiency
For Viktor, breathing has become more than a race-day tool — it’s part of how he shows up every day.
Better Breathing, Better Performance
When asked to finish the sentence, “Better breathing helps me ______,” Viktor answers simply:
“Be better. Whether that’s as an athlete or just a human being, better breathing means a better me.”
For Olympic speed skaters, performance isn’t built in a single moment. It’s built over years of discipline, data, and detail.
Breathing is one of those details.
And sometimes, the smallest variables make the biggest difference.
