The Physical Performance Show: Alex Hutchinson – Author New York Times Bestseller ENDURE
In episode 123 of The Physical Performance Show Brad Beer has a conversation with Alex Hutchinson – Author New York Times Bestseller ENDURE: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance.
Alex Hutchinson was a PHD Physicist yet his career path took him into Journalism. He’s now a National Magazine award winning Journalist who regularly contributes well sought-after articles in Runners World and Outside Magazine. Alex himself is a very accomplished Runner, Alex has been a 2x finalist in the 1500m at the Canadian Olympic Trials. During Alex’s University years, he spent many hours competing as a middle distance and long distance runner for the Canadian National Team. In 2017 Alex was one of only 2 Reporters who were allowed access to the Nike Breaking Two Project.
During this conversation, Alex shares a story about when he first became aware of the power of the mind on performance with his own frustrations for years of trying to break the 4 minute mark for the 1500m. Alex shares how his experience in a track race then became the pursuit of determining just what role the brain and mind play in determining our physical performance and potential.
Alex takes us deep into the 10 years of research gathering and writing to produce what is now ENDURE – the New York Times Best Selling Publication. We take a journey back to Alex knocking on leading sport Scientist’s doors like Tim Noakes, observing the Comrades Marathon, pursuing the world’s best academics across the world including Australia, Alex’s own attempts at maximising his own performance and the science and the great stories that you will find inside Endure.
If you have ever wondered whether our individual limits are set by the heart and the head or by our muscles then you get really enjoy this. In this conversation, we will have you re-think restrictions, it will have you re-think your own possibilities and your own potential. I’m excited to bring in this conversation with Alex Hutchinson, New York Times Best Selling Author of Endure Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance.
To listen to Episode 123:
Click the icon to listen to the interview on iTunes or listen using the soundcloud player below
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE at the links to ensure you get performance insights from our future upcoming exciting guests.
Listen in as we delve into the following:
- What is Alex learning
- Alex’s love of running
- Starting out in Journalism
- Approaching Tim Noakes about attending his Lab
- Takeaways from the assignment
- Central Governor Theory
- Mind over muscle
- Facial Expression
- Surprise findings on perception of effort
- Deep connection between endurance and perception of finish lines.
- Running with gadgets
- What it would take to run a 2 hour marathon
- Mental exercises
- Three people at dinner table
- Physical Challenge – 20 x 1min hard and 1 min break
- What’s next for Alex Hutchinson
- When will see a sub 2 hour marathon
Show Sponsor Fisiocrem
Thank you to this week’s show sponsor: fisiocrem. fisiocrem is a topical massage cream containing natural plant based ingredients, ideal for the temporary relief of muscular aches and pains. It is clean to use and pleasant smelling. fisiocrem can be found at chemists and health stores Australia-wide, as well as their online shop. fisiocrem have also offered a 20% discount to listeners of The Physical Performance Show using coupon code POGO when you shop at fisiocrem.com.au. Hurting sucks, and they’ve got your back!
Win a fisiocrem prize pack by entering the competition here.
Quotes:
“You learn rhythm from a workout like that.”
“Mental Strength to tolerate pain and discomfort improves with the more difficult training that you do.”
“The best mental training is good physical training that forces you out of your comfort zone.”
“Just keep showing up.” – Best Advice
“For evolutionary reasons, you’re not able to push to the last physical limits.”
“You can keep going as long as the perception of effort is tolerable.”
“Be accountable to objective reality.”
To follow Alex Hutchinson
Timeline:
0:00 Start
1:30 Introduction to Alex Hutchinson
5:30 What is Alex learning
7:40 Alex’s love of running
13:30 Starting out in Journalism
18:30 Approaching Tim Noakes about attending his Lab
23:25 Takeaways from the assignment
27:20 Central Governor Theory
38:00 Mind over muscle
40:40 Facial Expression
44:30 Surprise findings on perception of effort
55:40 Deep connection between endurance and perception of finish lines.
1:03:00 Running with gadgets
1:12:00 What it would take to run a 2 hour marathon
1:20:00 Mental exercises
1:26:50 Three people at dinner table
1:29:15 Physical Challenge – 20 x 1min hard and 1 min break
1:31:39 What’s next for Alex Hutchinson
1:32:30 When will see a sub 2 hour marathon
1:37:59 Finish
People Mentioned
Tim Noakes – Exercise Scientist
Dr Noel Brick – Sport and Exercise Psychology –
Roger Bannister – British middle-distance Athlete and Neurologist
Michael Joyner M.D – Scientist at MAO Clinic
For questions and comments about this Episode
Send to the show host @Brad_Beer (Twitter)
