In 'The Comfort Crisis,' Michael Easter explores the idea that modern society's emphasis on comfort and convenience has led to various physical and mental health issues. Easter's journey takes him to diverse locations, including the Alaskan backcountry, Bhutan, and the labs of neuroscientists, to uncover the benefits of living at the edges of one's comfort zone. He discusses the concept of 'misogi,' a Japanese practice involving challenges that push individuals to their limits, and how such experiences can enhance creativity, reduce burnout and anxiety, and increase overall well-being. The book is a call to action, encouraging readers to break out of their comfort zones and reconnect with the natural world and their own potential[2][3][4].
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.
Talking points: genetics, culture, psychology, parenting
I'm the kid who's always running to see what's over the next hill, so I'm both grateful and excited to have Alex on the show. His latest book is incredible, and gets to the science of how we're actually happier with a little less predictability in so many parts of our lives. If you're someone whose life feels kind of listless right now, this is YOUR episode.
(00:00:00) - The “explorer gene”, dopamine, and the impact of modern tech on our ability to explore
(00:15:20) - Our relationship with the unknown, and how it messes us up sometimes
(00:25:04) - How the unknown can challenge relationships, and how to navigate that
(00:29:40) - The difference between exploration and exploitation
(00:35:54) - The “free energy principle” and the “effort paradox”
(00:52:52) - Tactical insights on amping up your exploration mindset
Alex Hutchinson is the New York Times bestselling author of Endure, a longtime columnist for Outside covering the science of endurance, and a National Magazine Award–winning journalist who has contributed to the New York Times, The New Yorker, and other publications. A former long-distance runner for the Canadian national team, he holds a master’s in journalism from Columbia and a Ph.D. in physics from Cambridge, and he did his post-doctoral research with the National Security Agency. He lives in Toronto with his family.
Connect with Alex:
-Website: https://www.alexhutchinson.net/
-New book: The Explorer's Gene: https://bit.ly/43JicFr
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweat_science/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweatscience
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