It was a pleasure to connect with the legendary author and investigative journalist David Epstein (who wrote one of my favorite books ever, The Sports Gene) for this episode!

Our conversation ranges from the validity of the 10,000 Hour Rule (you’ll hear David dispel the accuracy of the science behind the concept) to the role our genetics play in sports and performance to the concept of practice variability, and David also shares that he’s looking at writing a book on the specialization in youth sports. 



TIMESTAMPS:

David Epstein is an investigative journalist reporting many aspects in the sports world including the role of genetics in sports. [00:27]

If you spend 10,000 practice hours on something, can you become a master at it? [07:09]

There is a concept called practice variability which is not focusing on just one skill. [11:52]

Genetics plays a big role in high level athletics. Some people have a compulsive desire to train. [16:30]

Many people become afraid to go against the traditional approach to training. [27:16]

When we see these exceptional feats in sports, we assume it is their natural God-given gift that allows them this performance. Not so simple.  [29:37]

Usain Bolt’s training has been varied. There are no secrets or templates. [30:17]

Epstein, while investigating doping in the sports world, found he had to deal with much controversy. [38:28]

Dave is looking at writing a book on the specialization in youth sports. [46:21]





LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
Brad’s Shopping page
PrimalEndrance.fit
The Sports Gene
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
ProPublica
DavidEpstein.com
thompsonriverranch.com.

It was a pleasure to connect with the legendary author and investigative journalist David Epstein (who wrote one of my favorite books ever, The Sports Gene) for this episode!
Our conversation ranges from the validity of the 10,000 Hour Rule (you’ll hear David dispel the accuracy of the science behind the concept) to the role our genetics play in sports and performance to the concept of practice variability, and David also shares that he’s looking at writing a book on the specialization in youth sports. 
 
TIMESTAMPS:
David Epstein is an investigative journalist reporting many aspects in the sports world including the role of genetics in sports. [00:27]
If you spend 10,000 practice hours on something, can you become a master at it? [07:09]
There is a concept called practice variability which is not focusing on just one skill. [11:52]
Genetics plays a big role in high level athletics. Some people have a compulsive desire to train. [16:30]
Many people become afraid to go against the traditional approach to training. [27:16]
When we see these exceptional feats in sports, we assume it is their natural God-given gift that allows them this performance. Not so simple.  [29:37]
Usain Bolt’s training has been varied. There are no secrets or templates. [30:17]
Epstein, while investigating doping in the sports world, found he had to deal with much controversy. [38:28]
Dave is looking at writing a book on the specialization in youth sports. [46:21] 
 
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad’s Shopping page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.primalendurance.fit/">PrimalEndrance.fit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sports-Gene-Extraordinary-Athletic-Performance-ebook/dp/B00AEDDQKE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1672530526&amp;sr=8-1">The Sports Gene</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World-ebook/dp/B07H1ZYWTM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1672530665&amp;sr=8-1">Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.propublica.org/">ProPublica</a></li>
<li><a href="https://davidepstein.com/">DavidEpstein.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thompsonriverranch.com/">thompsonriverranch.com.</a> </li>
</ul>

Welcome to The Primal Endurance Podcast, where we challenge the ineffective, overly stressful conventional approach to endurance training and provide a refreshing, sensible, healthy, fun alternative. Going primal frees you from carbohydrate dependency and turns you into a fat burning beast! Enjoy interviews from elite athletes, coaches, authors and scientists on the cutting edge of endurance training and performance.

Train Smart. Train Primal. With Brad Kearns and Guests.

Primal Endurance Podcast

Welcome to The Primal Endurance Podcast, where we challenge the ineffective, overly stressful conventional approach to endurance training and provide a refreshing, sensible, healthy, fun alternative. Primal Endurance focuses on optimizing aerobic development with heart rate training and periodization, balancing stress and rest in all areas of life, building total fitness with complementary activities, and cultivating an evolved, process-oriented mindset. Enjoy interviews from elite athletes, coaches, authors and scientists on the cutting edge of endurance training and performance.

Welcome to The Primal Endurance Podcast, where we challenge the ineffective, overly stressful conventional approach to endurance training and provide a refreshing, sensible, healthy, fun alternative. Primal Endurance focuses on optimizing aerobic development with heart rate training and periodization, balancing stress and rest in all areas of life, building total fitness with complementary activities, and cultivating an evolved, process-oriented mindset. Enjoy interviews from elite athletes, coaches, authors and scientists on the cutting edge of endurance training and performance.

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