In 'Endure,' Alex Hutchinson delves into the science and psychology of human endurance, highlighting the complex interplay between the mind and body. The book discusses various physical limits such as pain, muscle, oxygen, heat, thirst, and fuel, and how these are influenced by psychological factors. Hutchinson draws on his experiences as a distance runner and his access to Nike’s secret training project to break the two-hour marathon barrier, providing insights into how individuals can push beyond their perceived limits. The book blends cutting-edge science with gripping storytelling, making it a comprehensive and engaging read on the elastic limits of human performance.
In this book, Joseph Campbell explores his theory of the 'monomyth', a universal pattern found in the mythological narratives of various cultures. He details the stages of the 'hero's journey', which include departure from the ordinary world, initiation into a supernatural world, and return with a boon. Campbell draws on a wide range of mythological sources and integrates insights from psychology, particularly from Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, to illustrate the common elements of heroic myths across different cultures.
In this episode we speak with Alex Hutchinson, author of the book ‘The Explorer’s Gene -Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map’.
Alex Hutchinson is the author of the New York Times bestseller ‘Endure’ and is a science journalist and Outside magazine’s longtime Sweat Science columnist. He has a PhD in Physics from Cambridge University and a MS in Journalism from Columbia. He was a long-distance runner for the Canadian national team and lives in Toronto.
His new book, The Explorer’s Gene, refutes the myth that the age of exploration is dead. The itch to discover new things persists in all of us, expressed not just on the slopes of Everest but in the ways we work, play, live, and run.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
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The Greenbrier River Trail Marathon and Half Marathon in beautiful Pocahontas County, West Virginia. With this being one of the few WV marathons, it’s great for those 50-staters out there.
The Explorer’s Gene -book by Alex Hutchinson
Alex Hutchinson’s website
Marathon Training Academy 
