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Why Not Almost There? I had never run a long race in my life, but here I am, in the middle of the 2015 Chicago Marathon. I’m feeling fantastic, even thinking I could go double the distance. Just being in this race was a mini-miracle. I had heart surgery and back surgery a decade earlier. I could barely stand back then, let alone run. Nonetheless, I’m fired up and feel better than ever. Then I see right in front of me— a sign that nearly stops me in my tracks, NOT ALMOST THERE. I try to brush it off but can’t stop thinking about those words. Every step seems heavier, harder, and then I start cramping up. I begin to walk and complain inside and out. I struggle the entire second half but finish (barely) with everything I have after being physically and mentally crushed. I have never stopped thinking about that sign but that’s fueled a quest to understand the power of the mind, body, and spirit. To understand how we accomplish things. To understand how we become better in the race against time and ourselves. Who am I? Southside Chicago kid. Young Father (20). Assembly line worker. Found 15 seconds between building cars to study. Graduated. Took 5 years. Created a few companies. Sold two. 800 employees. Created Refuel and Not Almost There to help others.
Episodes
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Alex Hutchinson is a NY Times Best Selling Author with a Master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, a physicist with a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Aside from academia, he is also a professional athlete with credentials as a two-time finalist in the 1,500 meters at the Canadian Olympic Trials. Today he writes about the science of endurance for Runner’s World and Outside, while frequently contributing to little-known publications like the New York Times, The New Yorker, and Toronto’s Globe and Mail. FiveThirtyEight recently named him one of their “favorite running science geeks” and he was also one of only two reporters granted access to cover Nike’s top-secret training project to break the two-hour marathon barrier.
→IN THIS EPISODE… Joe and Alex break down the science behind physical exertion and the importance of mental fortitude. Alex tells the story of his “aha moment” during a meaningless track meet that catapulted his running career and seeded his interest in the power of the mind. Alex explains what this all means for the everyday person: optimal exercise volume for maintaining health, how to avoid acute and chronic injuries, and how visualization and positive self-talk are cornerstones to performing at your best.
🔍 Breakdown with Alex Hutchinson:
Chapter 1 (0:00) Joe Introduces Alex Hutchinson
Alex is the author of Endure, and publishes many articles in Runner’s world and Outside
Chapter 2 (1:43) The inspiration for writing Endure
While running in an inconsequential race, Alex had an experience where he had smashed his PR, and the only element that was different was his frame of mind. This event started a trajectory of research that led him to write a book about the impact of the mind on the body.
Chapter 3 (5:50) Finding research to substantiate mind over matter ideal
Not just relying on anecdotal experience, Alex also explains the research he did on athletes’ mindset and how it affects their performance.
Chapter 4 (12:21) Variations in mental fortitude
Why can some people squeeze more out of the lemon than others? Looking at why some people are able to break free of their mental limitations
Chapter 5 (22:29) Positive self-talk
Affirmations are not a new concept, but the research of just how much positive self-talk affects performance is surprising.
Chapter 6 (30:26) Negative self-talk
The minute negativity starts creeping in, it can often be an insurmountable obstacle. Joe and Alex discuss why this happens and how to avoid this pitfall.
Chapter 7 (38:18) Visualization and micro-goals
From a young age, Joe and Alex both have had personal experiences of visualization that helped mold how they view goal setting. Alex gives great advice on how to break up a large goal into smaller achievements.
Chapter 8 (48:07) Setting goals for purpose-driven training
Joe is doing a Spartan Ultra race, and how it shapes and drives his workouts. Having a goal to work toward can help motivate and create accountability around your exercise.
Chapter 9 (54:46) Joe wraps up Part 1
Joe and Alex continue their conversation next week and dig into VO2 max.
Material Referenced in this interview:
→Endure by Alex Hutchinson
→The Genius of Athletes by Noel Brick and Scott Douglas
📞 Connect with Alex Hutchinson
→https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhutchinson
→https://www.facebook.com/sweatscience
→https://www.instagram.com/sweat_science/
👊 To learn more about Not Almost There by visiting this link
→ Not Almost There http://notalmostthere.com/
Connect with Joe on social here:
→Instagram https://www.instagram.com/joe_chura/
→Facebook https://www.facebook.com/notalmostthere/
→Twitter http://twitter.com/joechura