In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, I’m joined by author, journalist, and endurance expert Alex Hutchinson to discuss his latest book, The Explorer’s Gene. This conversation dives into the why behind human exploration — what drives us to seek the unknown, how our genetics shape our urge to push boundaries, and what this means for athletes, adventurers, and everyday decision-makers alike.

We explore the intersection of science, adventure, and personal growth, looking at everything from the dopamine receptor gene and novelty-seeking, to the hero’s journey and the paradox of effort. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or someone curious about what makes humans tick, there’s something here for you.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Exploration is a deep-rooted human trait shaped by both genetics and environment
• The dopamine receptor gene is linked to novelty-seeking behaviour
• Endurance sports are a microcosm for understanding exploration and risk
• Balancing exploration (trying new things) and exploitation (refining skills) is vital
• The free energy principle helps explain our drive to minimize surprise and seek reward
• Effort and struggle add meaning to experience
• Exploration connects us more deeply to our environment and ourselves
• The hero’s journey offers a compelling metaphor for personal growth
• Ethical questions persist around doping and the boundaries of performance

📚 Buy Alex Hutchinson’s new book, The Explorer’s Gene: 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Explorers-Gene-Challenges-Flavors-Blank/dp/0063269767/

🎓 Advance your performance career with Supporting Champions Courses: Use code SC10 for 10% off all online courses 👉 https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#courses

⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Alex Hutchinson 03:08 – Journey from Physics to Endurance Journalism 06:25 – The Intersection of Science and Endurance Sports 10:20 – Lessons from Journalism School 14:17 – The Importance of Audience in Science Communication 18:38 – Navigating Scientific Research and Its Implications 23:36 – Evolving Perspectives on Ergogenic Aids 29:43 – The Role of Context in Athletic Performance 32:33 – Exploring 'The Explorer's Gene' 36:05 – Personal Connections to Endurance 38:47 – The Complexity of Exploration 41:35 – The Hero's Journey in Endurance 44:47 – The Rhythm of Explore and Exploit 52:58 – Genetics of Exploration 56:18 – The Explorer's Gene: An Introduction 01:01:07 – Migration Patterns and Genetic Influence 01:08:20 – Risk-Taking and Elite Athletes 01:12:02 – The Free Energy Principle Explained 01:18:30 – The Effort Paradox and Meaning in Struggle 01:24:39 – The Case Against Doping in Sports 01:31:17 – Exploration and the Meaning of Sport

Thanks for tuning in — don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below. Let’s keep exploring what makes us human.

#SupportingChampions #AlexHutchinson #ExplorersGene #HumanPerformance #Endurance #SportsScience #FreeEnergyPrinciple #HeroJourney #SteveIngham #Dopamine #RiskTaking #PersonalGrowth #Adventure

🎙️In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham welcomes Kate Hays, a leading sports psychologist and author of How to Win: Lessons in Success from the Frontline of Performance Psychology.

Kate shares her expertise on high performance psychology, exploring the essential building blocks of team success, the significance of team identity and purpose, and how pressure training prepares individuals for high-stakes situations. She also discusses psychological safety, behavioural codes, and a strength-based approach to thriving in elite environments.

📖 Get Kate's new book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Win-performance-psychology-potential/dp/0008698287

Key Themes:

✅ Applying performance psychology beyond sport ✅ Balancing challenge and support in high-performance settings ✅ Why defining success goes beyond just winning ✅ The role of preparation, autonomy, and resilience in elite environments ✅ Ten principles for thriving in high-performance cultures

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Book Overview 03:05 – The Purpose of Writing the Book 05:48 – Building Blocks of Team Performance 09:00 – Understanding Team Identity and Purpose 12:00 – The Importance of Method and Goals 15:03 – Behavioural Codes and Team Dynamics 17:50 – The Role of Pressure Training 21:09 – Defining Success Beyond Winning 23:57 – The Balance of Challenge and Support 26:45 – The Importance of Autonomy in Performance 29:58 – The Pressure of Performance 35:23 – Understanding High Performance 39:32 – Principles of Thriving 41:17 – Creating Thriving Environments 46:11 – Ten Principles for Thriving 49:12 – Psychological Safety and Learning 01:01:06 – Final Thoughts on High Performance

Use code 'SC10' for 10% off all Supporting Champions Courses. https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/onlinecourse/#courses

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#SportsPsychology #HighPerformance #MentalHealth #Leadership #Thriving #TeamSuccess #PsychologicalSafety #SuccessBeyondWinning

🎙️ What training model improves VO2max and time trial performance for recreational and competitive endurance athletes?

In this episode of the Supporting Champions Podcast, Steve Ingham is joined by Michael Rosenblat, an expert in exercise science with a fascinating journey from triathlon coaching to physiotherapy. Michael shares his insights into training intensity distribution models, drawing from his recent network meta-analysis on how different approaches impact endurance athletes.

They discuss the complexities of polarized versus pyramidal training models, the methodological challenges of conducting meta-analyses, and the importance of considering individual variability when designing training programmes. Michael also highlights the significance of VO2 max outcomes, the role of network meta-analysis, and why consistency and recovery are fundamental to athletic performance.

Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasizes the need for rigorous methods in sports science research and how understanding gender differences and training intensity thresholds can shape more individualised training approaches. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or researcher, this episode offers valuable insights into optimising training strategies and understanding the science behind performance improvement.

🔍 Key Takeaways: ✅ Training intensity models impact performance differently, with polarized training often benefiting competitive athletes and pyramidal training suiting recreational athletes. ✅ VO2 max outcomes showed no significant differences between training models, highlighting the importance of individual responses. ✅ Methodological rigor in exercise science research is crucial to producing reliable and applicable findings. ✅ Consistency and recovery are essential components of long-term athletic success. ✅ Future research should focus on individualised approaches to training intensity and performance.

📌 Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Background 03:00 - Research Journey and Academic Affiliations 05:52 - Overview of the Meta-Analysis Paper 09:11 - Understanding Network Meta-Analysis 11:55 - Participant Characteristics and Sample Size 14:57 - Training Intensity Distribution Models 17:59 - Decoding Intention to Treat vs. Per Protocol Analysis 27:31 - Understanding Quasi-Experimental Designs 30:02 - Methodological Limitations in Training Studies 32:30 - Analyzing Gender Differences in Athletic Performance 34:08 - Exploring VO2 Max Results 39:14 - Individual Variability in Training Responses 47:01 - Comparing Training Models for Different Athlete Levels 55:44 - Practical Recommendations for Athletes 57:01 - Future Directions in Training Research

📖 Read more on Michael’s paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39888556/

https://sylvanadamsports-tau.org.il/en/

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#ExerciseScience #TrainingIntensity #MetaAnalysis #EnduranceAthletes #VO2Max #AthleticPerformance #SportsMedicine #SupportingChampions #MichaelRosenblat