Podcast Summary
The Transformative Power of Running: Starting your health journey, no matter the size of the step, can lead to significant improvements and positive changes in your life.
No matter where you are in your health journey, taking the first step is what matters most. Dr. Ramgan Chatterjee, a medical doctor, author, and television presenter, hosts the "Feel Better Live More" podcast to simplify the path to better health through inspiring conversations with experts. He believes that improved health leads to increased happiness and a more fulfilling life. In this episode, Ron Ganchasti interviews Vassos Alexander, a sports presenter and author, about the transformative power of running. To support the podcast, Athletic Greens, a nutrient-dense whole food supplement, is a sponsor, offering a special deal for listeners at athleticgreens.com/livemore. In the conversation, Vassos shares his personal experience of how running changed his life and the inspiration it provides. The key takeaway is that starting your health journey, no matter how small the step, can lead to significant improvements and positive changes in your life.
Realizing the need for change can lead to significant lifestyle improvements: Recognizing the need for change and taking small steps can lead to improved health and fitness.
A simple moment of self-realization can lead to a significant lifestyle change. Vas Fiola, a well-known radio and TV personality, shares his story of how he was inspired to start running after seeing his own health decline. While sitting at traffic lights on his way to work, he was shocked to notice his shirt flopping over his belt, revealing excess fat. This moment motivated him to make a change, leading him to join a gym and start running. Initially, he hated the gym and found running difficult, but he persisted and soon discovered the benefits of exercise. His first outdoor run was a struggle, but he was determined to continue and even incorporated a "warm down" at his neighbor's wall to make it seem like he had run further than he had. Fiola's story highlights the importance of recognizing the need for change and taking small steps towards improving one's health and fitness.
From Unable to Run to Ultra-Running: Regardless of your current fitness level, it's never too late to start and make progress towards running, focusing on mindfulness and inclusivity.
No matter where you are in your fitness journey, it's never too late to start and make progress. The speaker, Vassar, shares his personal experience of going from being unable to run for more than a minute and a half in his early thirties to completing ultra-running events. He emphasizes that he was previously unhealthy, smoking, and not paying much attention to his lifestyle. However, becoming a father made him reevaluate his priorities and led him to running. Vassar encourages listeners to remember that it wasn't long ago that he couldn't run for an extended period, and he emphasizes that endurance running is inclusive and welcoming to people of all shapes and sizes. The focus is on the mindfulness aspect of running, rather than just the time. Vassar's story is a reminder that everyone can make positive changes to their health and fitness, no matter where they start.
The Marathon and Spartathlon: Honoring Greek Culture and History Through Endurance Running: The Marathon and Spartathlon races honor Greek culture and history by bringing together runners from around the world to participate in a grueling endurance event, celebrating human resilience and our evolutionary past as endurance hunters.
The story of the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides and his legendary run from Marathon to Athens to seek help from Sparta against the invading Persian army gave birth to the modern-day marathon and the Spartathlon race. This historic event showcases the deep connection between the past and present, as runners continue to honor Greek culture and history by participating in this grueling endurance race. Despite the challenges and the high dropout rate, the race is celebrated throughout the region, with the entire town of Sparta coming together to welcome and honor the finishers. This tradition transcends cultural boundaries and serves as a testament to human endurance and resilience. Additionally, the origins of long-distance running can be traced back to our ancestors who were endurance hunters, making this race a connection to our evolutionary past.
Running long races requires mental strength as much as physical fitness: Finishing long races brings deep pride, joy, and contentment, beyond physical achievement, and honoring one's heritage and personal journey are crucial elements.
Running long races, like the Spartathlon, is not just about physical fitness but also mental strength. The speaker shares how finishing such races brings him a deep sense of pride, joy, and contentment, comparable to the birth of his children. He believes that once a certain base level of fitness is achieved, the rest is all in the mind. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of honoring one's heritage and DNA, as well as the personal journey that comes with pushing oneself to complete such challenging feats. The speaker's passion and pride are evident in his conversation, and he expresses humility and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in these races.
Discovering the depths of oneself during enduring physical challenges: Ultra-marathons and other enduring physical challenges can lead to profound self-discoveries, revealing hidden strengths and resilience
Enduring physical challenges like ultra-marathons can lead to profound self-discoveries. During these events, individuals often find themselves pushed beyond their limits, stripping away layers of their being and revealing their true selves. Chrissy Wellington, an Ironman world champion, once shared that she retired after her fourth world championship because she reached the bottom of her well, with no more layers to explore. Similarly, the speaker experienced a loss of leg function after a race, which forced her to dig deep and find new reserves of determination. These experiences highlight the transformative power of pushing oneself beyond comfort zones, revealing hidden strengths and resilience.
Embracing discomfort for personal growth through intense physical activities: Intense physical activities like endurance runs promote mental and emotional growth by pushing us out of our comfort zones and offering a self-therapy session for personal development. Running is a simple and accessible activity that taps into our DNA and offers numerous benefits.
Pushing yourself through intense physical activities like endurance runs can bring about significant mental and emotional growth. These experiences can feel painful and uncomfortable, both physically and mentally, but they lead to a better version of oneself. The process is akin to a self-therapy session, where one strips down and rebuilds, emerging stronger. This can be achieved through various forms of exercise, even in the comfort of a gym or on a treadmill, but the experience is heightened when one connects with nature. Running, in particular, is a simple and accessible activity that taps into our DNA, requiring minimal equipment and offering numerous benefits. It's essential to step out of our comfort zones and embrace discomfort, as it can lead to personal growth and a deeper connection with ourselves.
Embracing the simplicity of running: Running offers a sense of freedom and connection to nature, inspiring even the busiest individuals to make it a consistent part of their routine.
Running, in its simplest form, offers a sense of freedom and ease that can be incorporated into even the busiest of lifestyles. The speaker shared how running became a consistent part of his routine, despite his demanding career and family responsibilities. He emphasized the appeal of running outside and the feeling of being in touch with nature, contrasting it with the monotony of running on a treadmill. He also mentioned the inspiration he drew from his children and the joy they found in participating in park runs together. The speaker quoted Leonardo da Vinci's famous phrase, "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," to highlight the appeal of running's uncomplicated nature. For those who may not be drawn to long-distance races, the speaker encouraged focusing on small steps and the overall benefits of incorporating regular running into one's life.
Discover the benefits of running: Running, regardless of fitness level, boosts physical and mental health. Start small at Parkrun, reap rewards beyond the activity.
Running, no matter how unfit or worried you may be, is a worthwhile experience that can significantly improve both your physical and mental well-being. The speaker emphasizes that the journey of starting to run, even in small steps, can lead to feelings of accomplishment and self-confidence. Parkrun is a great place to begin, as it welcomes runners of all abilities. The benefits of running extend beyond the activity itself, acting as a form of therapy for some, allowing the mind to refresh and reset. Overall, the speaker encourages listeners to give running a try, as the rewards can far outweigh any initial discomfort or apprehension.
Taking breaks boosts creativity and problem-solving: Taking a break from focused tasks can enhance creativity and lead to new ideas and solutions
Taking a break from focused tasks, such as going for a run, can help improve creativity and problem-solving abilities. This is because when we're not focused on a task, a part of our brain called the default mode network goes into overdrive, which is a creative part of the brain. This can lead to new ideas and solutions that may not have been apparent while focusing on the task at hand. The speaker, who struggles with the sleep pillar of wellness but finds running to be particularly beneficial, emphasizes that everyone can benefit from taking a break, even if it's just for a short walk. Additionally, the speaker acknowledges that injuries are a common concern for runners, but encourages a mindset that our bodies are designed to adapt and find ways to overcome challenges.
Running brings people together: Running's transformative power breaks down barriers and connects people, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.
Running is a transformative experience that can bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Vassos' first book, "26.2 Miles: Marathon Stories," is a celebration of this idea, featuring interviews with inspirational athletes and famous runners. One particularly moving story is about a man who, after being excluded from school and facing a likely future in prison, turned his life around through running. Even on the Hammersmith Bridge, where they collided during a PB attempt, the man and Vassos found common ground and connected over their shared love for running. This shows that running has the power to break down barriers and bring people together. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, there's always room for growth and connection on the journey.
Embracing Challenges for Personal Growth: Stepping outside of comfort zone leads to personal growth and increased self-esteem. Technology can aid in this process but not at the expense of broader benefits.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to significant personal growth and increased self-esteem. This can be applied to various aspects of life, including running and public speaking. The fear and discomfort experienced during these challenges can be overwhelming, but pushing through them can result in expanding your comfort zone and discovering new capabilities. Technology, such as fitness trackers, can be a helpful tool in encouraging and monitoring this growth, but it's essential not to become overly fixated on the numbers and lose sight of the broader benefits. The speaker's personal experiences, from running and television work to everyday life, demonstrate the importance of embracing challenges and continuously striving to improve.
Overreliance on technology can hinder running enjoyment: Running for enjoyment and being present in the moment is more rewarding than focusing on data and metrics.
Running can bring simple joy and pleasure, but sometimes an overreliance on technology can hinder the experience. The speaker shared a personal anecdote about becoming too focused on tracking his runs with tech gadgets, which took away from the enjoyment of the activity itself. He learned that running for the sake of enjoyment and being present in the moment is more rewarding than worrying about data and metrics. The speaker encourages others to find intrinsic motivation for running, rather than relying solely on external validation or technology. He believes that getting back in touch with our bodies and the natural world can enhance the overall running experience.
Starting a Running Routine: Three Simple Tips: Begin small, push through initial challenges, and enjoy the experience to start and maintain a successful running routine
Starting a running routine, no matter how small, can lead to significant personal growth and health benefits. Vassos Alexander, a well-known runner and podcast host, shared his experiences and offered simple tips to inspire others to begin their own running journey. First, just start with anything, even a walk. Don't worry about equipment or specific goals; the key is to begin and see where it takes you. Second, remember that it's most challenging at the start. Running can be uncomfortable when you first begin, but it's essential to push through and keep going. Lastly, try to run with a smile on your face. Enjoy the experience and focus on the joy of doing something for yourself. By following these three pieces of advice, Alexander believes that anyone can successfully start and maintain a running routine. Alexander's ultimate goal with his podcast is to inspire people to take control of their health and well-being. He emphasized that the journey is just as important as the destination and encouraged listeners to embrace the mindfulness and joy that comes with running. In summary, starting a running routine can lead to personal growth and improved health. By beginning small, pushing through the initial challenges, and focusing on the enjoyment of the experience, anyone can successfully start and maintain a running routine.
Running therapy as a treatment for depression and anxiety: Vassos Hepple's story demonstrates the potential of running therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Listen to episode 15 for more information and consider leaving a review or sharing on social media to spread awareness.
Vassos Hepple's story highlights how running therapy can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you've enjoyed this episode, consider checking out episode 15, Treating Depression and Anxiety with Dynamic Running Therapy, available at DrChasci.com/WilliamPullen. Don't forget to visit the sponsors, Athletic Greens, for a special offer. Help spread awareness by leaving a review or sharing on social media. For new listeners, consider purchasing Dr. Chatterjee's first book, The Four Pillar Plan, or its American title, How to Make Disease Disappear. Pre-order his upcoming book, The Stress Solution. Remember, you are the architects of your own health, and making lifestyle changes is always worth it. Tune in next week for another insightful conversation.
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