The Physical Performance Show: Matt Fitzgerald – Best Selling Author ‘How Bad Do You Want It?’
In episode 109 of The Physical Performance Show Brad Beer and Lewis Craig have a conversation with Matt Fitzgerald – Best Selling Author ‘How Bad Do You Want It?’
Matt has authored numerous books including ‘The Runners Edge’, ‘Iron Wall’, ‘80/20 Running’ and also ‘The Runners Body’ and is also an avid endurance runner. Matt has also authored the book ‘How bad do you want it’ where he brings together the science as well as brilliant examples of elite performance including athletes featured; Sammy Wanjiru, Jenny Simpson, Greg LeMond, Siri Lindley, Cadel Evans, Nathan Cohen and Joe Sullivan, Paula Newby-Fraser, Ryan Vail, Thomas Voeckler, Steve Prefontaine. Matt brings together the science as well as the practicality of elite performance. Matt has a long history of competing in endurance events. Matt is also an acclaimed endurance sports and nutrition writer and also a certified sports nutritionist as well as being a regular columnist.
On today’s episode Lewis, Brad and Matt explore why it is you have to endure to get the most out of yourself. Why the lynch pain to successful endurance performance is a perception of effort. Why you must brace yourself for the worst in order to race at your best. The two ways that you can alter your perception of effort and therefore improve your performance. Why endurance athletes perform better when they are chasing such of effort. Why you must brace yourself for the worst in order to race at your best. The two ways that you can alter your perception of effort and therefore improve your performance. Why endurance athletes perform better when they are chasing something. Why it helps to stay focus on external stimuli when you are racing. Why sitting yourself up to expect more will allow you to achieve more and why A race is like a fire walk. So if you are ready to explore your true physical potential to master the psychology of mind over muscle then jump in with Matt Fitzgerald, author of ‘How bad you want it’ and let’s see how it’s done.
To listen to Episode 109:
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Listen in as we delve into the following:
- Matt’s backstory
- Coming back from disappointments
- Maximising performance based on psychology
- Perception of Effort
- Inhibitory Control to stay focused on your goal
- The effect of Music, Anxiety and Caffeine on perception of effort
- A Race is like a Firewalk
- Practical tips to push Physical Performance
- Time Goals
- Achievable targets and goals
- Turn anxiety into excitement
- Being present and staying focused
- 80/20 Training
- Physical Challenge for the Week: Make a rule to do something every day
- Companion Books
Show Sponsor Gold Coast Marathon
Like the Physical Performance Show, the Gold Coast Marathon encourages runners of all ages and abilities to push their boundaries and strive to complete a personal challenge. The Gold Coast Marathon is held annually on the first weekend in July and is a must do event for any budding athlete, weekend warrior or family looking for a challenge to complete together. Run for the good times at the gold coast marathon. Visit the Gold Coast Marathon here.
Races Featured in ‘How Bad do you want it?’
Quotes:
“Perception effort is the limiter of endurance performance.”
“The art of endurance racing is the art of pacing & pacing is based on perception of effort.”
“You must brace for the worst in order to race at your best.”
“You have to decide how bad do I want this? How much am I am willing to endure?”
“There is no way to improve as an endurance athlete without altering your relationship with perception of effort.”
“Pacing is done by perception of effort.”
“Go into each race believing you can achieve your goal but also expecting that it could be the hardest race that you have ever done.”
“Your body doesn’t know the difference between anxiety and excitement from the neck down.”
“There is an art to goal setting.”
“Instead of being a victim of your emotions take control of them where you can.”
“Self consciousness is the mechanism by which ‘choking’ occurs.”
“Faith in your training is as important as the training itself.”
To follow Matt Fitzgerald:
Twitter : @mattfitwriter
Facebook: matt.fitzgerald.9022
Website: Matt Fitzgerald
Books: https://mattfitzgerald.org/books/
People Mentioned
Sammy Wanjiru – Kenyan Long Distance Runner
Jenny Simpson – Olympic Athlete
Greg LeMond – American Professional Road Racing Cyclist
Siri Lindley – Episode 67 of The Physical Performance Show
Cadel Evans – Australian Professional Racing Cyclist
Nathan Cohen – New Zealand Rower
Joe Sullivan – New Zealand Rower
Paula Newby-Fraser – Ironwoman Triathlete and Duathlete
Ryan Vail – American Long Distance Runner
Thomas Voeckler – French Cyclist
Steve Prefontaine – American Middle and Long Distance Runner
Timeline
0:00 Start
1:00 Introduction to Matt Fitzgerald
6:00 Matt’s backstory
7:30 Coming back from disappointments
10:30 Maximising performance based on psychology
12:00 Perception of Effort
16:50 Inhibitory Control to stay focused on your goal
19:40 The effect of Music, Anxiety and Caffeine on perception of effort
27:00 A Race is like a Firewalk
36:00 Practical tips to push Physical Performance
42:50 Time Goals
47:50 Achievable targets and goals
52:00 Turn anxiety into excitement
59:00 Being present and staying focused
1:05:00 80/20 Training
1:06:30 Physical Challenge for the Week: Make a rule to do something every day
1:08:50 Companion Books
1:17:05 Finish
For questions and comments about this Episode
Send to the show host @Brad_Beer (Twitter)
