The Extramilest Podcast #68: Dr Maffetone on Training Your Brain
Brain's Importance
- The brain is the most important part of an athlete's body, as it controls everything.
- It enables adaptation to fatigue and high effort levels during competitions.
Five-Minute Power Break
- Use the five-minute power break to enhance brain function and physical recovery.
- Combine lying down, closing your eyes, music, and deep breathing to reach the alpha brainwave state.
Music Selection
- Listen to music regularly, but be selective and avoid "junk music."
- Incorporate both favorite "oldies" and "newbies" to stimulate your brain.
Thanks to PATH projects and LMNT for sponsoring this video! Visit https://pathprojects.com/FLO to get 10% off your order of PATH projects running gear. Visit https://drinklmnt.com/FLO to get your free LMNT sample pack with any purchase.
Dr Maffetone is a physician, athletic coach, and best-selling health and fitness author. He is also a singer-songwriter and music producer. We discuss his new book B-Sharp and how to train your brain for optimal health and athletic performance. I have learned so much from him over the years to optimize our health and fitness in a holistic way. Decades ago Dr Maffetone already talked about the benefits of MAF low heart rate training, many years before Zone 2 training had mainstream awareness like it has now.
Watch this full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QfUCQ-LQeYo
This episode is brought to you by PATH projects running apparel. For a limited time only, get 10% off your PATH order at PATHprojects.com/FLO This is the clothing I wear in training, racing and every day life. For hot weather months I love running in the AirDot T or Tank. Recently we collaborated with Believe in the Run on a limited PATH shirt. My favorite shorts are The Graves PX 7” shorts, with 4 pockets to carry my phone, gels and keys. Below these shorts I wear a separate base liner, the Lynx liner in 5”. The separate short from liner eliminates all chafing, it’s a game changer for long distance running too. For a limited time only, get 10% off your PATH order at PATHprojects.com/FLO. That is PATHprojects.com/FLO
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Here is a great quote by famous music producer Rick Rubin:
“Phil is usually 30 years ahead of the curve. If he is singing the praises of the healing power of music today, I imagine in 2053 it will be accepted mainstream care!”—Rick Rubin, music producer
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Train your brain
02:21 Sponsors: PATH projects, LMNT
04:45 Welcome back Dr. Phil Maffetone!
05:30 B sharp! Music as part of a holistic approach to health.
10:02 Music for athletes
16:22 Listening while exercising, or not.
22:41 Breathing patterns and brain adaptation
25:30 Listening to the body
27:00 Working with Rick Rubin
33:50 Self-doubt
34:45 The 5-minute power break, improving body function
37:50 Hearing new things in music
41:45 Real music vs junk, genre
46:15 Heart rate and music, alpha state, multi-tasking
52:00 Day dreaming vs distraction
53:25 You are addicted to your phone!
57:29 The brain and age
1:00:32 Our passions and dreams
1:01:35 Start line race day nerves
1:07:45 Impact of music on race day
1:10:27 The trainable brain
1:12:33 Where to find out more about Dr Phil Maffetone and his work
1:14:03 Advice to optimize health and performance
1:14:40 More training is often not better
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DR MAFFETONE
► Music website - https://maffetonemusic.com/
► B sharp! (book) by Dr Phil Maffetone - https://amzn.to/43Yq1oa
► YouTube Maffetone Music: https://www.youtube.com/@MaffetoneMusic
► MAF website - https://philmaffetone.com/
LINKS AND TOOLS MENTIONED
► Dr Phil Maffetone - the 5 minute power break https://philmaffetone.com/the-5-minute-power-break/
► The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing (book) by Dr Phil Maffetone https://amzn.to/444Cerm
► Danny Dreyer (book) - Chi Running https://amzn.to/3pjUqyp
► Danny Dreyer (book) Chi Walking https://amzn.to/441J5lC
► Rick Rubin - The Creative Act: A Way of Being - https://amzn.to/44mNkYv
► Digital Minimalism (book) by Carl Newport - https://amzn.to/3JZcJA3
YOU CAN FIND ME, FLORIS GIERMAN HERE:
► Podcast: https://extramilest.com/podcast
► Personal Best Program: https://www.pbprogram.com
► My weekly newsletter: https://extramilest.com/subscribe
► Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1329785
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florisgierman
► Website: https://extramilest.com
► Website: https://pathprojects.com
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ABOUT THE EXTRAMILEST SHOW:
A podcast and YouTube channel where host Floris Gierman interviews world class athletes, coaches and health experts on the topic of how to become a stronger, healthier and happier athlete.
🚨 GIVEAWAY!! Win a copy of Dr Maffetone's book B-Sharp. To enter, subscribe to my YouTube channel & comment: what was your favorite takeaway, lesson or quote from this video? 3 winners will be picked by August 30th from the YouTube comments.
To learn more about our running coaching program, from 5k to marathons and ultra distances, visit PBprogram.com, that is the Personal Best Program at https://www.pbprogram.com