Chris Case: Scientist, Author, Endurance Athlete + Founder of Alter Exploration
May 24, 2023
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Entrepreneur, scientist, and author Chris Case shares his experiences as an endurance athlete, discussing the genesis of Alter Exploration. He explores the importance of challenging and transformative experiences in endurance sports. They also discuss the rewards of stepping out of one's comfort zone and the joy of guiding others to beloved places. Additionally, they delve into starting a business and the balance between personal growth and business success.
Challenging activities can lead to transformative memories and personal growth.
Taking the first step, learning, and adapting are crucial for pursuing one's vision.
Balanced training, rest, and overall health are essential for endurance athletes.
Deep dives
Creating Challenging Experiences for Growth and Transformation
Chris Case, founder of Alter Exploration, discusses the inspiration behind his company and the importance of taking on challenges for personal growth. He believes that the best experiences are earned, not given, and that participating in challenging activities can lead to transformative memories. By designing adventurous trips that are not solely focused on races or training, Chris aims to provide opportunities for individuals interested in the outdoors and endurance sports. He emphasizes the importance of pushing boundaries while ensuring safety and teaching resilience through the lessons of challenge.
The Power of Saying Yes to Hard Things
Chris describes his personal journey in starting Alter Exploration and the fears he had to overcome to pursue his vision. He emphasizes the importance of taking the first step and the value of learning and adapting along the way. Chris encourages individuals to challenge themselves and embrace discomfort as a means of personal growth and expanding one's capabilities. He also highlights the need for a balanced approach, prioritizing family, health, and mental well-being alongside professional pursuits.
Listen to Your Body and Embrace Recovery
As a result of his research for the book 'The Haywire Heart,' Chris developed a better understanding of endurance sports and the importance of listening to one's body. He emphasizes the need for athletes to train strategically and not push themselves hard all the time. Chris advocates for a balanced approach that includes rest and recovery, as well as being attuned to the body's signals. He also stresses the significance of not sacrificing overall health and well-being for the sake of performance.
Designing Transformative Experiences and Making Connections
Chris discusses the process of designing experiences for Alter Exploration. He explains that each trip is customized based on the participants' preferences and skill levels. By taking individuals to places he knows well and introducing them to the local culture and history, Chris aims to create connections and open their eyes to new possibilities. He wants participants to look back on their experience with Alter Exploration as a highlight of their year, surpassing other professional or personal achievements.
Balancing Adventure and Responsibility
Chris reflects on the challenges and rewards of being a guide for others. While his role involves taking people to places he loves, it also requires ensuring their safety and delivering a memorable experience. Chris believes in having a deep understanding of the locations he guides people to, rather than simply relying on popular places seen on social media. He emphasizes the importance of providing challenging yet safe opportunities for growth and fostering connections between participants and the places they visit.
Entrepreneur, scientist, and author Chris Case knows how to design a challenge. His company, Alter Exploration, curates intense, application-only custom cycling and trail running trips. Alter's experiences are built to test physical limits, foster emotional growth, and encourage mental evolution. As a former cycling journalist and lifelong endurance athlete, Chris has spent countless hours exploring the world by bike and on foot. He has degrees and research experience in neuroscience and clinical psychology, a master's degree in journalism and photography. His research led him to write The Haywire Heart, an insightful investigation into heart problems that affect endurance athletes. Chris was also the COO of The Paleo Diet, co-founder of Fast Talk Laboratories, and former editor of VeloNews. Chris joins host Andrew Vontz to speak about the genesis of Alter Exploration, what it takes to build a business like this from scratch, and why he believes that hard things can transform us and the people around us.