This month, I am going back to a book I read three and a half years ago but is a great reference on the theme of endurance and the limits of human performance.
The book starts with historical examples illustrating how people have sometimes been able to push the boundaries of what was thought possible: from breaking the 4 minute mile to expeditions in Antarctica or Everest. While I was familiar with some of these adventures, some of them were also new. I found the story telling to be very engaging and inspiring.
Then the book explores different physiological dimensions that impact human performance, tying scientific research to anecdotal examples.
In the final section, the author explores the role of the mind, the “Central Governor” in performance. It is not the first book that highlights the importance of the psychological side of endurance on top of the physiological one but I found the research referenced to be really interesting and opening the door for a lot more of understanding of how the mind and the body can work together to push our limits beyond what we think we are capable of (or what humans are capable of).
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