Balancing Exploration and Comfort in Athletics

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This week on The Trailhead, we're joined by one of the most thoughtful voices in endurance sports writing: Alex Hutchinson. You might know him from his Outside column, Sweat Science, or his bestselling book Endure. But today, we’re talking about his newest work—The Explorer’s Gene—and what it reveals about why we push into the unknown, whether we’re climbing literal mountains or trying the weirdest thing on a menu.

In this wide-ranging and unexpectedly hilarious conversation, we dig into:

• The "explore vs. exploit" dilemma, and how it shows up in our running, routines, and lives
• Why inefficiency is essential to joy and creativity
• How kids (and ultrarunners) are wired for uncertainty
• The effort paradox: why hard things feel more meaningful
• What AI, IKEA furniture, and running have in common

Alex also shares how becoming a parent and moving beyond his “Endurance Science Guy” brand shaped his perspective on curiosity, comfort zones, and career detours.

Whether you’re stuck in a rut, planning your next big adventure, or wondering if it's time to zag instead of zig, this one’s for you.