Before Breakfast Boosting endurance, with Dr. James Hewitt
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Dec 24, 2025 
Dr. James Hewitt, a human performance scientist and author of 'Regenerative Performance', shares his journey from cycling to sports science. He emphasizes the importance of balancing effort and recovery, drawing parallels between athletic burnout and workplace overtraining. James outlines three dimensions of effective recovery: physical, emotional, and cognitive, and offers solutions to tackle productivity theatre and enhance focus. He also advocates for leaders to model recovery and promote quality off-work time for better performance.
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From Aspiring Cyclist To Knowledge-Work Coach
- James moved to France to pursue pro cycling but returned to study sports science.
- Coaching knowledge workers revealed parallels between athletic overtraining and workplace burnout.
Effort Needs Recovery To Build Strength
- Sustainable performance requires oscillating between deliberate effort and effective recovery.
- With the right balance you don't just bounce back—you grow stronger over time.
Restore Physical, Emotional, And Cognitive Resources
- Restore three resource types: physical, emotional, and cognitive.
- Design recovery to address each dimension, like sleep for physical and solitude or social support for emotional recovery.