The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka Cole Brecka: The Great World Race, 100-Mile Ultras & Why Hydrogen Water is the Ultimate Recovery Tool | TUH #242
Feb 5, 2026
Cole Brecka, endurance athlete known for seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and brutal 100-mile desert ultras. He narrates Antarctic survival, gut and travel-related collapse, and the mental pivot past mile 32. They dive into race strategy for Area 51 terrain and a recovery toolkit spotlighting hydrogen water and connective-tissue protocols.
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Seven Marathons In Seven Days Trial
- Cole ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days after only starting running a year earlier.
- He suffered frostbite risk, double stress fractures, severe GI issues, and extreme sleep deprivation during the event.
Primal State Reveals Priorities
- Extreme endurance exposes primal human needs: sleep, food, water, and shelter.
- In that state material concerns vanish and survival instincts dominate decision-making.
Make Recovery Nonnegotiable
- Prioritize recovery as much as training to avoid catastrophic under-recovery.
- Use modalities like cold plunges, hydrogen water, hyperbarics, and red light after workouts.