Rethinking Running: Myths and Realities

I am joined by Mark Sisson for the wonderful occasion of a new book coming out—Born To Walk.

Tune in to hear us talk all about the book, from the title to what made Mark realize that this story had to be told, what the research about running has actually revealed, and why running is, in many cases, antithetical to good health for a lot of people. You’ll hear us talk about the fascinating research we discovered that supports this idea that humans were born to walk, and while we are able to run (and can run occasionally as a result of walking a lot, sprinting once in a while, lifting heavy things, moving around and moving through space and time), we were not born to run metronomic eight-minute miles every day, day in and day out as some means to achieving some longevity goal or some health goal.

As you will learn in this episode, the running boom of the last 50 years was built upon a House of Cards, and on the idea that humans are born to run. But, humans were not born to run—we were born to walk, and in this episode, you will find out why!

TIMESTAMPS:

We are looking at increasing your longevity through low level aerobic activity. {00:48]

The idea that running was the best route to longevity has been downplayed. [05:56]

Shoes have made big changes in the way people run. With the thick soled running shoes, there has been no decrease in running injuries. [08:03]

Everybody assumes that running is the sort of gold standard of weight loss, of achieving good health, of mental fortitude, and being able to overcome discomfort. [14:32]

What is so appealing about a marathon? [16:47]

There are much kinder, gentler ways to achieve great health, not get injured and support the other things that you're doing as part of your longevity program. [21:10]

Why doesn’t running and burning calories work in pursuit of reducing excess body fat? [22:27]

There are two kinds of fat.  The subcutaneous fat which is simply unpleasant and the visceral fat which is terribly harmful for your health. [24:51]

They promised better results with new cushioned shoes but these shoes have done nothing to decrease injury.  [27:21]

Understanding chronic cardio is so important in the endurance scene. You can take a good thing too far. [36:52]

Mark had to change the way he pursued his athletic life.  

After retiring from elite competition, how did he learn to train at a lower level? [45:09]

The Ordeal of the Obligate Runner is the title of one of the chapters.  What does that mean? [48:31]

What is the difference between being a sugar burner and a fat burner? [56:54]

There is research showing that if you just have a lighter shoe, you save four minutes over a marathon. [01:02:36]

We encourage you to walk but you need to learn the proper form. [01:07:06]

What is the primal approach for getting more energy? You don't need to run to give yourself immortality [01:18:27]

LINKS:

• Brad Kearns.com
• Brad’s Shopping page
• B.rad Whey Protein Isolate Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Available in Two Delicious Flavors: Vanilla Bean and Cocoa Bean
• NEW: B.rad Superfruits - Organic Freeze-Dried Exotic Fruit Powder! Natural Electrolyte Hydration & Energy Powder
• Born to Walk
• The Primal Blueprint
• Primal Endurance
• Peluva.com

Join Brad for more fun on:

Instagram: @bradkearns1

Facebook: @bradkearnsjumphigh

Twitter: @bradleykearns

YouTube: @brad.kearns

TikTok: @bradkearns

We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:

• Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!
• Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!
• GAINSWave: Enhance sexual function with high frequency shockwave therapy. Buy 6 and get one treatment free with code: BRAD
• Wild Health: Comprehensive online health consultation with blood and DNA testing, personal coaching and precision medicine. Get things dialed in! Use discount code BRAD20 for 20% off!
• Take The Cold Plunge online course!
• B.rad Whey + Creatine Superfuel: Premium quality, all-natural supplement for peak performance, recovery, and longevity. New Cocoa Bean flavor!
• Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience
• Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!
• Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO): Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement

Brad's Favorites on Amazon

I have a newly organized shopping experience at BradKearns.com/Shop. Visit here and you can navigate to my B.rad Nutrition products (for direct order or Amazon order), my library of online multimedia educational courses, great discounts from my affiliate favorites, and my recommended health&fitness products on Amazon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.