Questioning the Limits of Human Performance and Endurance with Alex Hutchinson PhD

Living A Life In Full

Have you ever questioned your “limits?” Maybe it was doing something athletic, or perhaps in your work or even personal life. I think no matter who you are, where you are, or what you do, pushing up against some type of limit is part of what makes a human a human. Some limits may be external or situational. But what about those that we self-impose? What about those we learned or believe to be true—but what if they were not?

Well then enter Alex Hutchinson, PhD, and his work, experience and latest book, the New York Times best seller, ENDURE: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. Rich Roll said, “Alex’s examination of limits is not restricted to physical performance. Defined broadly as ‘the struggle to continue against a mounting desire to stop,’ Alex suggests that endurance is best understood as surprisingly universal, applicable to essentially every challenge we face, be it athletic, academic, professional or emotional.” Hear, hear!

In this episode we explore both the physical and the psychological components of human performance and endurance—what are the ingredients that lead to breaking a record versus throwing in the towel?

We do go wide into the worlds of endurance athletes, and we do go way deep into running, but I suspect what you’ll learn in this episode will transcend any particular category.

Alex was also a two-time finalist in the 1500, at the Canadian Olympic trials, and has represented Canada internationally in track, cross-country, road racing, and mountain running competitions. Alex lives his life to the fullest, and does so with a curious mind and scientific eye that benefits us all.