NCAA All-American Alex Ostberg Shares His Wisdom On Perspective, Gratitude, Taking Action, & Being A Life-Long Learner

Apr 3, 2023

Alex Ostberg, an eight-time NCAA All-American runner with degrees in human biology and public health, shares insights that go beyond athletics. He discusses the importance of perspective and gratitude when facing adversity, and how life challenges can lead to personal growth. The conversation touches on the necessity of solitude for reflection and the significance of lifelong learning and curiosity. Alex also emphasizes taking action and fostering meaningful connections as keys to a fulfilling life.

56:54

forum

Ask episode

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

chevron_right

Embracing Change and Finding Growth

01:42 • 27min

chevron_right

Exploring Evolutionary Psychology and Modern Stress Responses

28:54 • 3min

chevron_right

Embracing Solitude and Reflection

31:42 • 11min

chevron_right

The Lifelong Journey of Learning and Curiosity

42:51 • 3min

chevron_right

The Impact of Time Management on Future Outcomes

45:55 • 2min

chevron_right

Taking Action and Cultivating Connections

48:07 • 9min

chevron_right

#6811

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Cost of These Dreams

Wright Thompson

The Cost of These Dreams is a collection of stories that delve into the lives of sports figures like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Pat Riley, exploring the personal costs of their achievements. Thompson's work is celebrated for its vivid detail and insight into the human side of sports.

#462

• Mentioned in 40 episodes

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers

Robert Sapolsky

In this book, Robert M. Sapolsky delves into the fascinating world of stress and its impact on our bodies. He explains why zebras, unlike humans, rarely suffer from stress-related illnesses. Sapolsky combines cutting-edge research with practical advice and engaging anecdotes to illustrate how prolonged stress can cause or intensify a range of physical and mental afflictions, including depression, ulcers, colitis, and heart disease. The book also provides essential guidance on managing stress responses and offers new insights into how stress affects sleep, addiction, anxiety, and personality disorders.

#733

• Mentioned in 29 episodes

Peak Performance

Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success

Brad Stulberg

Steve Magness

Peak Performance uncovers the common principles that drive success in different domains, from athletics to intellectual and artistic pursuits. The book combines stories of top performers with scientific insights into cognitive and neurochemical factors that enhance performance. It teaches readers how to optimize their performance by alternating between intense work and rest, priming the body and mind for productivity, and developing a self-transcending purpose. The authors provide practical advice on managing stress, prioritizing rest and sleep, and setting meaningful goals to avoid burnout and achieve peak performance.

• Mentioned in 843 episodes

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.

#941

• Mentioned in 24 episodes

The Molecule of More

How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity—and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race

Daniel Z. Lieberman

Michael E. Long

The Molecule of More delves into the role of dopamine in human behavior, revealing how this neurotransmitter drives our desires, fuels creativity, and influences various aspects of life including love, business, addiction, and politics. The authors argue that dopamine is not just a 'pleasure molecule' but a chemical of anticipation and possibility, which explains why we often crave what we don’t have and why we are driven to pursue new and unexpected things. The book uses insights from psychology, neuroscience, and social studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of dopamine’s impact on the human condition.

I am thrilled to welcome back the one and only, Alex Ostberg.

Alex is an eight-time All-American. He competed at Stanford University for four years before transferring to the University of North Carolina to get his master's degree. Alex holds PRs of 3:58 in the Mile, 7:49 in the 3k, 13:18 in the 5k, and 28:49 in the 10k. He also has his Bachelor's Degree in human biology, a minor in psychology, and a master's in public health.

Alex is an incredibly perspicacious speaker who has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and depth. Alex is the person who I have often referred to on previous podcasts as "my mentor." Besides my parents, Alex has contributed more to my life than anyone else I know. Put simply, I would not be the person I am today without him, nor would this podcast exist.

In this conversation, Alex shares his wisdom on perspective, handling adversity, gratitude, taking action, being a life-long learner, and how many days he thinks he can last in a room of darkness (will make more sense when you listen to the podcast). I always walk away from my conversations with Alex enlightened and a better version of myself. I'm confident you'll say the same after listening.

You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. If you really enjoy the podcast, consider sharing it on social media to spread the word!

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-Steve Jobs Commencement Speach: https://youtu.be/UF8uR6Z6KLc

-Our Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Alex's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aostberg97/?hl=en

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books