Podcast Summary
Extreme Swimming Preparation: Meticulous preparation, mental resilience, and physical adaptability are crucial for success in extreme swimming. Adapt to various conditions, from freezing temperatures to intense heat, and maintain a positive attitude to overcome setbacks.
Endurance athlete and author Ross Edgley's success in extreme swimming is a result of meticulous preparation, mental resilience, and physical adaptability. Ross shared his experiences of swimming around Great Britain, attempting non-stop swims in Loch Ness and Italy, and setting the record for the longest non-stop river swim in Canada. He emphasized the importance of adapting to various conditions, from freezing temperatures to intense heat, and how his size has been an advantage in the water. Despite setbacks and challenges, Ross's determination and positive attitude has led him to push past his limits and inspire others. His story highlights the power of perseverance and the human spirit.
Endurance swimming preparation: Endurance swimmers need to focus on building a robust body, gastrointestinal preparation, and adopting a sailor's mindset for long-duration events, rather than solely relying on technique and speed.
Endurance swimming, particularly for long-duration events, requires a different approach to preparation compared to conventional Olympic-style swimming. Instead of focusing solely on technique and speed, swimmers need to build a robust body that can withstand the physical and digestive challenges of extended swimming sessions. This includes strength training to improve ligament and tendon health, as well as gastrointestinal preparation to maximize nutrient absorption. Swimmers also need to adopt a sailor's mindset, treating their body like a vessel and finding the path of least resistance in the water. Preparation for such events may involve unconventional methods, such as training the digestive system to handle large amounts of calories and MCTs, and even dealing with unexpected challenges like malfunctioning wetsuits or encountering rapids that require sudden bursts of energy. Ultimately, success in endurance swimming depends on mental and physical resilience, as much as it does on technique and speed.
Swimmer's mental challenges: The swimmer learned to observe negative thoughts without reacting to them, demonstrating the power of mental resilience during a grueling 54-hour swim in the Yukon.
During a 54-hour swim in the Yukon, the swimmer faced both physical and mental challenges. From an animal perspective, he was seen as an easy target due to his constant movement, attracting various wildlife. Mentally, the swimmer's brain tried to discourage him from continuing by creating negative narratives and voicing concerns. The swimmer learned to outsource common sense and not trust his own brain's judgments. Instead, he adopted a mindful approach, observing each negative thought without reacting to it. This helped him endure the grueling swim, proving the power of mental resilience.
Hallucinations during endurance swims: During extended swims, hallucinations are normal and should be acknowledged, not resisted. Loved ones should prepare to ensure safety when necessary and warm foods can help mitigate digestive discomfort.
During extended periods without sleep, such as endurance swims, hallucinations and perceptual distortions can occur, which can range from seeing trees as a cruise ship to talking to them as if they were people. It's important to remember that these delusions are a normal part of the experience and should not be denied or met with resistance. Instead, loved ones and support teams should be prepared to step in when necessary to ensure safety. Additionally, the digestive discomfort that comes with eating while swimming can be mitigated by consuming warm foods, such as porridge oats, to help stave off hyperthermia. Overall, the ability to consume and utilize food efficiently is a unique strength for endurance swimmers.
Basic needs during extreme endurance challenges: During extreme endurance challenges, basic needs like warmth and food take priority over higher needs like relationships and self-actualization.
During an extreme endurance challenge, basic needs like warmth and food become the primary focus, while higher needs like relationships and self-actualization fade into the background. The speaker's experience during a swim in the Yukon showcased this, as he prioritized staying warm and consuming hot porridge oats over other comforts. Despite facing sleep deprivation and harsh conditions, he found ways to cope, such as drinking scalding hot porridge and using supplements like caffeine and alpha-GPC. This experience highlights the human capacity to endure and adapt in challenging situations, even when basic needs are the only concern.
Endurance Events Nutrition: During endurance events, focus on carbohydrates and fats for energy, as protein becomes less important. Post-event, immediate medical attention is necessary for injuries, Rhabdo, and hypothermia. Strategically managing suffering is key to resilience, as demonstrated by historical explorers like Amundsen.
During an endurance event like a 60-hour swim, the focus should be on providing the body with sufficient energy substrates through carbohydrates and fats, as protein becomes less important. The body undergoes a controlled catabolic breakdown, and immediate medical attention is crucial after the event to address injuries, potential Rhabdo, and hypothermia. Resilience, as described by the speaker, is about managing suffering strategically, taking care of limitations, and learning from historical explorers like Amundsen, who effectively planned and prepared for their expeditions.
Resilience and process focus: Focusing on the process rather than the outcome, addressing basic needs, and staying present can help build resilience and overcome challenges
Resilience is about focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Ross shared his experience of swimming the Yukon River, where he learned this valuable lesson from the Marines. By solely focusing on the process, such as technique or form, the outcome becomes inevitable. Distractions, like checking progress or comparing oneself to others, can hinder this process-driven mentality. Ross also mentioned the importance of addressing basic needs, like hydration and warmth, to prevent giving up during challenging endeavors. However, sometimes, a higher purpose can motivate you to forgo these needs temporarily. Overall, Ross's journey in the Yukon River emphasizes the importance of staying present and focused on the process to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
Higher purpose, intrinsic motivation: Focusing on a higher purpose or bigger cause can help individuals maximize intrinsic motivation during challenging situations, shifting motivation from external achievements to internal reasons.
Having a higher purpose or a bigger cause can help individuals flip Maslow's hierarchy and maximize their intrinsic motivation during challenging situations. Ross McQuillan, an endurance swimmer, shared his experience of experiencing hypothermia during a swim and how focusing on his higher purpose helped him push through. He also mentioned how his motivation shifted from external achievements to intrinsic reasons, like contributing to sports science and charities. McQuillan's positive demeanor, even during suffering, can be attributed to his internal motivation and the influence of his late father, who taught him the importance of gratitude and humility.
Strength of loved ones: Memories of loved ones' unwavering determination and positive attitude can serve as a source of inspiration and strength during personal challenges
The strength and resilience of our loved ones, even in the face of adversity, can continue to inspire and guide us long after they are gone. The speaker shared a deeply personal story about his father's unwavering determination and stoicism during his battle with cancer. Despite being bedridden, he continued to coach and take care of practical matters, demonstrating a strong character that the speaker carried with him during his own challenges, such as a grueling 50-hour swim. The speaker's father served as a "North Star," providing guidance and inspiration even beyond death. This story highlights the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and finding strength in the memories and values of those who have passed.
Stories of Resilience and Wisdom: Stories of resilient and wise individuals, from polar explorers to philosophers, offer timeless lessons for personal growth and the pursuit of mastery
Stories and the people behind them, who embodied resilience and wisdom, continue to inspire and guide us in our personal growth journey. Whether it's the tales of polar explorers like Shackleton or unsung heroes like Tom Creen, or the philosophical musings of Marcus Aurelius, these stories provide timeless lessons that we can apply to our own lives. Additionally, the idea of constantly seeking mastery and improving ourselves through tighter and tighter circles is a powerful concept that can help us perpetually grow and evolve. The documentary "Chartreaux vs. Ross Edgley" is an excellent example of pushing boundaries and embodying this mindset.
Human Adaptability, Shark Experiment: Understanding our primitive needs and the human body's incredible adaptability can lead to new discoveries and solutions, like AG1 nutritional supplement, for optimal health.
No matter how well we train or eat, humans are not as efficient as certain animals, like sharks, when it comes to physical abilities. During an experiment to understand the challenges faced by sharks during long migrations, Ross depleted his energy reserves and muscles by exercising for 24 hours in extreme heat and sweating out all fluids. Despite feeling terrible and craving unhealthy food afterwards, he discovered that even simple things like water tasted amazing due to his depleted state. This experiment highlights the importance of understanding our primitive needs and the incredible adaptability of the human body. Additionally, AG1, a nutritional supplement, was introduced as a solution to ensure people get all the necessary nutrients every day for optimal health.
Physiological processes and resilience: Understanding the physiological processes behind our mental and physical states can help us develop greater resilience. Look to successful ultra-marathon athletes for inspiration, as they compete at elite levels despite common beliefs about age limitations.
Understanding the physiological processes behind our mental and physical states can help us develop greater resilience. The speaker, a self-proclaimed "secret nerd sport scientist," shared his experience of consuming an unprecedented amount of calories in a day, leading to muscle glycogen replenishment and vascular changes. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the physiological processes underlying our feelings and capacities, rather than getting lost in the narrative that our minds may want to construct. For those seeking more resilience, the speaker recommended looking to successful ultra-marathon athletes, many of whom compete at elite levels between the ages of 35 and 45, debunking the common belief that elite performance is limited to youth.
Experience vs Naivety in Endurance Activities: Both experience and naivety have value in endurance activities. Experience can lead to physical efficiency but too much knowledge can cause self-doubt. Naivety allows individuals to push beyond limits without hesitation but lacks experience's lessons.
Experience and naivety can both be valuable assets in achieving success, particularly in endurance activities. As we age and gain experience, our bodies may become more efficient, but our minds can also be our greatest asset. However, too much knowledge can sometimes be detrimental, leading to self-doubt and overthinking. Conversely, a lack of knowledge or experience can result in a naive approach that allows individuals to push beyond their limits without hesitation. The Royal Marines provide an excellent example of this, as young recruits with little knowledge or experience often outperform more seasoned individuals due to their lack of self-imposed limitations. The Tour de France Unchained series highlights the protracted suffering and mental fortitude required in endurance sports, and the importance of understanding the unique approaches and motivations of each athlete. Ultimately, the most effective approach may be a balance of both experience and naivety, allowing individuals to learn from past experiences while maintaining a sense of childlike wonder and fearlessness.
Individuality in Success: Everyone's path to success is unique and requires respecting individuality, understanding motivations, and embracing unique strengths and challenges.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to success, and it's crucial to understand that what works for one person might not work for another. The speaker has become more cautious about giving advice and recognizes the importance of individual constitutions and motivations. Conor McGregor's success, for instance, came from his unique fire and determination, which couldn't be replicated by telling him to suppress his anger or chip on his shoulder. Similarly, Dan Hardy's exceptional movement and spatial awareness set him apart in MMA. The speaker also reflected on his own experiences, such as completing the GB swim, and how he wanted a different experience for the Yukon swim. Ultimately, it's essential to respect the individuality of each person's journey and understand that the price of success may involve sacrifices and challenges that are unique to that person.
Endurance Challenges and Maturity: Completing an endurance challenge can lead to a sense of fulfillment and maturity, emphasizing the importance of a strong support system and unique experiences along the way.
The experience of completing an endurance challenge like a long-distance swim can lead to a sense of fulfillment and contentment that comes with maturity. Ross Edgley, who completed a record-breaking swim around the UK, shared how at 38, he felt a sense of "enoughness" that he hadn't felt before at age 21. He also highlighted the importance of a strong support system, as evidenced by the role of the boats accompanying him during his swim. Additionally, Ross spoke about the unique experience each person had on the swim, with some focusing on navigating the boats while others were by his side or making hot water. Ross also mentioned the genetic advantages of the Hemsworth family, whom he trained, and their mindset as elite athletes, despite their fame as actors. Looking ahead, Ross plans to take on new challenges, such as swimming with sharks and tackling longer swims.
Sisyphus and personal growth: The struggle and journey towards personal growth, even in seemingly endless or difficult challenges, can bring fulfillment and meaning to life.
The continuous pursuit of challenges and personal growth, even if they seem endless or difficult, can bring fulfillment and meaning to one's life. The myth of Sisyphus, who was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, was transformed by Albert Camus into a symbol of the human spirit's ability to find joy in the struggle itself. For Ross Edgeley, completing the longest swim in history was not just about the achievement, but the journey and the struggle that came with it. He plans to continue embracing challenges, just as Sisyphus kept rolling his boulder, and as philosophers like Camus, Peterson, and Frankl encourage us to do. To keep up with Ross's adventures, follow him on Instagram and YouTube.