Steve Magness
Performance coach/author; posts research-backed commentary on training, self-talk, psychology, and endurance performance.
Explore Performance Science: Insights, Studies, and Rants
Interested in the science of performance? I’m finally getting the Instagram going with lots of insights, summaries of studies, and a few rants on all things performance. Check it out: https://www.instagram.com/stevemagness?igsh=MXBnbnFwMWluMzhjZg==
Bannister Myth Misleads; Real Research Reveals True Breakthrough Dynamics
The Bannister story is the most quoted self-help nugget in corporate America. It's also one of the most misunderstood. The actual research on belief and breakthroughs is more honest and more useful: https://substack.com/home/post/p-195907487
Jim Ryun Reveals the True Path to Excellence
One of my favorite interviews I've done... Jim Ryun, the phenom of all phenoms, gave so much wisdom on what it actually takes to be excellent. He gave a masterclass in performance and we go through it all...from his early...
You're Not Your Thoughts—Just Let Them Pass
One of the most powerful and important lessons for mental health that more people need to know: You are not your thoughts. We all have “crazy” thoughts. Let them float on by. No need to assign meaning to them.
Avoiding Discomfort Predicts Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Addiction
Thirty years of research has identified one of the strongest predictors of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. It's how unwilling you are to sit with an uncomfortable feeling. Why modern life is making this worse We’re all avoiding the experience of discomfort: https://substack.com/home/post/p-194421092
Design Creative Workouts That Trigger Desired Adaptations
I put together a free guide: How to Design Better Workouts. Filled with insights on writing creative workouts that get the right stimulus for the desired adaptation. A few excerpts: https://thegrowtheq.ck.page/c51b8637db
Athletes Are More Than Medals and Race Times
"(Athletes need to) understand that their value is not intrinsically placed on a medal or a time, that they're so much more than the person they are when they're competing." �-Missy Franklin
Your Self‑Story Determines Resilience—Choose It Carefully
Storytelling is a big part of what separates us from other species. The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves are extremely powerful. They have a significant and lasting impact on our lives. They can make you resilient. Craft yours wisely. https://thegrowtheq.com/the-secret-to-resilience-a-good-story/
Turn Exercise Into Play, Not Punishment
A lesson: Years ago, I was in a gym & the treadmills were packed. They all faced a window that overlooked... A beautiful park with 4 miles of dirt trails across the street. We often treat exercise as productive punishment. We need...
Consistent Performance Beats Occasional Brilliance
How you perform on your average days is much more important than how you perform on your best days. It's easy to be great when everything clicks. Much more important is being pretty good, no matter the circumstance or situation.
Simple Habits Are All You Need for Health
It's crazy how much junk health advice there is, when most of it comes down to simple things: 1. Exercise regularly 2. Sleep 3. Eat mostly real foods 4. Don't smoke 5. Have friends 6. Pursue something meaningful 7. Don't drink too much 8. Get off your phone 9....
Add 6‑10 Strides to Boost Your Running Performance
The one 'workout' that is often used by runners that is almost never mentioned in the health space: strides. It's simple. It's not hard. Just adding 6 to 10 x 15 seconds at a faster but controlled pace to the end...
Performance Beats Single Metrics: Embrace Holistic Fitness
My Vo2max when I ran a 4:01 mile was 67 My Vo2max when I ran 4:05 a few years later: 76 Performance is what matters. Looking at one number in isolation or chasing it is not the answer. This is why an obsession...
Design Smarter Workouts: Free Guide for Optimal Gains
I put together a free guide: How to Design Better Workouts. Filled with insights on writing creative workouts that get the right stimulus for the desired adaptation. Grab a copy for free: https://thegrowtheq.ck.page/c51b8637db
Celebrate Success Together: Compete, Don’t Just Fight
Strive for greatness, but appreciate competition and your competitors. Be secure enough in your sense of self that you can share your greatest moment with a rival, let celebrating with them be part of the magic of competing. https://thegrowtheq.com/competing-with-instead-of-always-against/