668: Endurance Lessons from an Anthropologist with Dr. Michael Crawley
Release Date: 04/16/2025
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After nearly 700 episodes, this is the final episode of Age Less / Live More. What started as a way to answer yoga students’ questions gradually evolved into an international exploration of healthspan and wellness. For over a decade, this podcast has been a key part of the YOGABODY journey—and it’s deeply shaped my work as a teacher. Thank you for listening. I hope to continue supporting you through new platforms and projects in the future.
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info_outlineIn endurance sports, certain countries consistently dominate the podium. While many theories attempt to explain this, the most overlooked—and perhaps the most relevant—is culture. The influence of your social group and peers plays a huge role in shaping your choices and potential, yet we often assume that health and fitness are driven by gadgets, apps, or elite trainers. In reality, human connection, support, and a sense of adventure may be the biggest performance enhancers. This week’s podcast explores high-performance endurance athletics through the lens of anthropology.
Listen and learn:
- How training in Ethiopia differs from the rest of the world
- The power of fun, play, and variety in training
- Why community and social support might be the missing ingredient
Link
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Dr. Michael Crawley is an anthropologist, writer, and accomplished runner. He is an Assistant Professor of Social Anthropology at Durham University and author of Out of Thin Air (2020) and To the Limit (2024).
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