The Science of Extreme Endurance (Fueling, Strength, Recovery & Mental Toughness) | Ross Edgley

1. Ross Edgley

   The brain and the body are so interlinked, and when fatigue happens and the body shuts down, scientists were trying to study, is that the body giving up? Is it the brain giving up? And now they understand it's complete interaction between two. Because the brain's a hypochondriac. It's basically getting you to stop before you do damage to yourself. Knowing that, I then tell myself, "You're far more powerful than your own mind allows you to believe." Psychobiological model of fatigue. So when in Loch Ness, when in Trasimeno, I'm like, "Is that cellulitis? Is that hypothermia?" And I tell myself, "No, no, no, no. You're far more powerful than your own mind allows you to believe. Keep swimming. Keep swimming." Friends of mine at Loughborough University have just said, "With you, because you push beyond that, it's like the whole body, the whole system just hits shut down. He's not listening."

2. Dr. Andy Galpin

   The science and practice of enhancing human performance for sport, play, and life. Welcome to Perform. I'm Andy Galpin. I'm a professor and scientist of human performance, and today I'm speaking with the uncomparable Ross Edgley. If you're not familiar with Ross, he is an ultra-endurance athlete specializing in swimming. Perhaps most notable and famous for swimming around the entire island of Great Britain, as well as swimming over 500 kilometers straight through the Yukon, and so many other feats that are just absolutely mind-boggling. If anything, in today's conversation, you're going to walk away completely entertained and inspired. It is by far the most I've ever laughed on a podcast. Ross is so joyful, so energetic, and so positive that if you have no interest in endurance swimming at all, you're still going to walk away from this a better person. Ross has shared a lot of his journey and incredible stories already in his documentaries, books, and other podcasts.

3. Dr. Andy Galpin

   But one thing that's unique about this conversation is we were able to dive hard into the science. Many people probably don't know this, but Ross himself is actually an educated exercise scientist. So, one aspect of our conversation that you'll get a lot from is the technical detail, the nutrition, recovery, sleep, training, and all that goes into Ross's brain when he's thinking about engaging in one of these ultra-endurance swims. I personally learned a ton, and I know you will as well. So, with that in mind, I don't want to delay it any further. Please enjoy today's conversation with the unicorn himself, Ross Edgley. Ross Edgley, finally in the building.

4. Ross Edgley

   How are we? This feels overdue.

5. Dr. Andy Galpin

   Yeah.

6. Ross Edgley

   This feels like a reunion.

7. Dr. Andy Galpin

   We're going to be sitting here for the next two to three hours, but what people don't realize is we're on about hour five today-

8. Ross Edgley

   Yeah

Read the full transcript