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The quest to push the limits of human endurance has captivated our species for millennia.
From ancient Greek Olympians to modern-day ultramarathoners, we’ve long been fascinated by our physiology’s ability to perform under extreme duress.
What happens when you combine cutting-edge sports science with sheer force of will? Where lie the outer edges of human capability, and what can we learn from those who dare to explore them?
My guest today is Ross Edgley, a world-renowned extreme adventurer, bestselling author, and star of National Geographic’s Shark vs. Ross Edgley. His writings for leading publications and books on the science of strength and endurance have inspired millions. Back for his second appearance on the show (episode 408), he’s here to share fresh insights from his latest feat—swimming 510km nonstop down the Yukon River.
Today, we delve into Ross’s extreme endurance feats, focusing on his record-breaking Yukon River swim—a grueling 62-hour test of body and mind. Ross reveals his unique physiological adaptations, including rapid healing and extraordinary calorie processing, crucial to his success in pushing human limits.
“No event exists in a vacuum. Missing goals can be seen as failures on their own. But when in the context of success, they’re not failures. They’re training.”
– ROSS EDGLEY
We examine his innovative approaches to training, nutrition, and mental preparation. Ross shares his strategies for world record attempts, the obstacles he’s encountered, and how he’s adapted to setbacks, offering valuable lessons for anyone facing challenges.
The conversation extends to Ross’s experiences on Shark Week and his collaboration with Chris Hemsworth on “Limitless.”Ross also breaks down the philosophy underpinning endurance sports, exploring concepts like ikigai and eudaimonia, and how they relate to his pursuit of extreme challenges.
Our discussion provides insights into the boundaries of human endurance, the critical role of teamwork in extreme endeavors, the broader implications of pushing oneself, the need for extreme challenges, and potential existential reckoning. It offers a fascinating glimpse into ultra-endurance athletics, the remarkable capacity for human achievement, and more.
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Whether you’re an endurance athlete, a sports science enthusiast, or simply curious about the extremes of human capability, this is a must-listen conversation.
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- Connect with Ross: Website | Instagram | X | YouTube
- Hulu: Shark vs. Ross Edgley
- Book: The Art of Resilience: Strategies for an Unbreakable Mind and Body
- Book: The World’s Fittest Book
- Book: Blueprint: Build a Bulletproof Body for Extreme Adventure in 365 Days
- Book: The World’s Fittest Cookbook
- BBC: Ross Edgley ends longest non-stop lake swim in heatwave
- BBC: Ultra-swimmer’s record attempt in name of science
- CBC: U.K. man pushes ‘boundaries of common sense’ with 510-km non-stop swim down frigid Yukon River
- Muscle & Fitness: Ross Edgley is Swimming Against Sharks for New Documentary
- GQ: Articles by Ross Edgley
- Men’s Health: Could This Man Possibly Be The Fittest Human Alive?
- Mirror: British super athlete smashes world record by ‘swimming Channel 15 times in 62 hours’
- Express: Super athlete Ross Edgley shows off grisly injuries after finishing world’s longest swim
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Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; with additional audio engineering by Cale Curtis and additional music by Moby; Blake Curtis & Dan Drake for video, & editing; graphics by Jessica Miranda & Daniel Solis; portraits by Davy Greenberg, Grayson Wilder & Gizelle Peters; copywriting by Ben Pryor; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
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