Why Kenyan Runners Excel: It’s More Than Genetics

Why Kenyan Runners Excel: It’s More Than Genetics

Why are Kenyans so good at distance running? Is Kenyan running dominance a matter of superior genetics? The statistics on Kenyan running dominance are impressive, and they certainly suggest a naturally superior running ability in Kenyan marathoners. However, Kenyans are not the only runners with body types ideally suited for distance running. According to David Epstein, the author of The Sports Gene, motivation—not just genetics—is a key component of Kenyan runners’ excellence. Here is what makes Kenyans exceptional in the sport.

4 Cognitive Defusion Techniques to Help You “Unfuse”

4 Cognitive Defusion Techniques to Help You “Unfuse”

What does “fusion” mean in therapy? What’s the problem with “fusing” with your thoughts and what can you do to un-fuse? When you mistake your thinking self—the part of you that thinks, judges, and acts—as a direct reflection of reality, you are in a state of “fusion” with your thoughts. The goal of cognitive defusion then is to acknowledge that your thoughts are simply stories the brain tells you in order to help you survive. There are a number of psychological techniques to do so. Below, we’ll explore four cognitive defusion techniques that can help you disentangle from unhelpful thoughts.

The Benefits of Automated Decision-Making

The 3 Core Principles of Objective Decision Making

What is automated decision-making? What are the benefits of automated decision-making in business? Automated decision-making is the practice of making decisions based on predetermined criteria derived from past data. When you recognize a situation as “another one of those,” you can just refer to your rules as a shortcut to good decision-making. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of automated decision-making in a business context and consider some real examples of how it is executed in practice.

Jamaican Runners: Nature or Nurture?

Jamaican Runners: Nature or Nurture?

Why are Jamaicans so good at sprinting? Is their sprinting ability a matter of training or genetics? Just as Kenya is known for producing talented distance runners, Jamaica is known for producing talented sprinters. Since Jamaicans have largely West African ancestry, a high ratio of fast-twitch muscle fibers may provide an initial advantage, but this doesn’t explain how Jamaica continues to produce so many elite sprinters. According to David Epstein, Jamaican culture can help explain why there are so many elite Jamaican runners. Here are three reasons why Jamaica produces a disproportionately large number of elite sprinters.

Stephanie Kelton’s The Deficit Myth: An Overview

Stephanie Kelton’s The Deficit Myth: An Overview

What is Stephanie Kelton’s The Deficit Myth about? How was the book received by critics? In The Deficit Myth, economist Stephanie Kelton—a former Senate Budget Committee staffer and 2016 campaign adviser to Bernie Sanders—writes that nearly all of the public discourse about national debts and deficits gets the facts entirely wrong. Naturally, a controversial stance like this attracted a lot of criticism. Continue reading for a brief overview of The Deficit Myth.

The Top 2 Techniques for Everyday Meditation

The Top 2 Techniques for Everyday Meditation

Do you want to meditate every day but don’t know how to fit it into your schedule? Does everyday meditation have real-life applications? In his book 10% Happier, meditation convert Dan Harris says that one method to incorporate meditation and mindfulness into everyday life is to use the RAIN technique. Similarly, psychologist Elisha Goldstein proposes the STOP technique. Continue reading to learn about both techniques to help you improve your everyday meditation practices.

How to Work With a Red Personality Type

How to Work With a Red Personality Type

What are some of the traits of the red personality type? How can you adapt your behavior to work cooperatively with a red-dominant person? According to Thomas Erikson in Surrounded by Idiots, Red personalities are unapologetically ambitious and self-confident. They like to be in charge and are comfortable taking risks. People with this personality are extroverted and not afraid to speak their mind, even when it causes conflict. Erikson notes that Hippocrates calls this behavior type “choleric.” Here’s how to manage a working relationship with a red-dominant person.

Fast-Twitch and Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers in Sports

Fast-Twitch and Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers in Sports

What is the difference between fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers? Is it possible to change your ratio of fast-twitch to slow-twitch muscle fibers through training? Fast-twitch muscle fibers support explosive muscle activity (e.g., lifting heavy objects or sprinting short distances), while slow-twitch muscle fibers support activities requiring endurance (e.g., long-distance running). To some degree, we can train our fast-twitch muscles to have more endurance and our slow-twitch muscles to become stronger, but we cannot actually change the ratio of slow-twitch to fast-twitch fibers that we are born with.  Here’s how fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers impact sports.

The Art of Loving: Quotes by Erich Fromm

Harnessing the Force of Love to Change Your Life

Looking for quotes from The Art of Loving? What lessons does Fromm teach about false love and genuine love? The Art of Loving was originally published in 1956, but many of its lessons are just as relevant today as they were in the 20th century. Erich explores what makes love genuine, what mature love is, and the importance of self-love. Continue below for quotes from Erich Fromm with explanations.