Beware of Superstar Athletes Embellishing Their Training And The BS Of The 10,000-Hour Rule

In this episode, I take a hard look at the glorification of obsessive training habits in elite sport, using Michael Phelps’ famous claims—like eating 10,000 calories a day and not missing a single day of training for six straight years—as a springboard for discussion. You’ll learn how research from top performance labs has shown that these types of extreme regimens aren’t just unsustainable, but unnecessary and often harmful. I talk about the real caloric demands of ultra-endurance events like the Tour de France and Race Across America, and how even those athletes only maintain extreme intakes for short periods of time—not year-round. I also discuss the psychological cost of the “no days off” mentality, and why it’s so important to push back against this toxic messaging, especially for young athletes and their parents. You’ll hear about the groundbreaking research of Dr. David Costill showing how cutting training volume in half for seven weeks actually leads to peak performance, and we debunk the widely misinterpreted 10,000-hour rule. I share the incredible story of Donald Thomas, who became a world high jump champion with barely a year of training, in stark contrast to Stefan Holm’s lifelong grind. We also cover mental health struggles among Olympic athletes like Phelps, Simone Biles, and Caleb Dressel—and why balance, perspective, and accurate storytelling from public figures matter more than ever. TIMESTAMPS: There are many impressionable people watching and listening to star athletes who put out less than truthful advice on podcasts. [00:51] The human is only capable of ingesting a certain caloric limit each day. [07:46] If these athletes want to give advice, why not be truthful so followers can learn. [12:48] An obsessive training approach is absolutely not necessary. [17:18] Do you need 10,000 hours of practice to master your skill? [24:27] If you are going to reach the highest level, know that the healthiest, most well-adjusted athletes are those that have a healthy, happy, balanced lifestyle. [32:33] LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Michael Phelps Short - “every day for 5 years” No Days Off - Michael Phelps Motivational Video Phelps Instagram - every day for 6 years Katy Ledecky Caleb Dressel NY TImes Olav Aleksander Bu Podcast with Dr. Herman Pontzer Dr. Jim Loehr We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com . If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva : Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification : The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.