Sodium bicarbonate—ordinary baking soda—has legitimate evidence behind it as an ergogenic aid for certain high-intensity activities. But its benefits are highly context-dependent, and dosing, timing, gastrointestinal tolerance, and sodium load can determine whether it helps or hurts performance.

Professional bull rider Cody Nance reflects on his rise from a hardworking Tennessee childhood to the elite world of PBR, sharing the grit, training, injuries, faith, and resilience behind his rodeo career.