Episode 28: Dr. Phil Maffetone

The Nik Hawks Show

Our guest on this podcast is Dr. Phil Maffetone, coach of legendary athletes Mark Allen, Stu Mittelman, and Mario Andretti. Phil has worked with more than just sporting greats, he's been an adviser to the military on how to make B2 bomber pilots more effective, has worked with NASA and has even helped race horses improve their performance via heart rate training.

He's most well known for The Maffetone Method, which is a heart rate based method for increasing your aerobic (vs anaerobic) performance. A simple equation (train at a heart rate of 180 minus your age), it is one of the most effective training tools in any athletes repertoire.

An avid proponent of barefoot running and occasionally lifting heavy things, Dr. Maffetone's methods are most clearly distinguished by three things: His extraordinary individualization of coaching, his incredible patience, and his holistic approach that goes well beyond just one type of healing modality.

Dr. Maffetone made the transition from endurance performance coaching into music in the early 2000s, so we also talk about how music affects people, how the way we listen to music has changed, and how music can increase your athletic performance (hint: It's not with earbuds!)

Enjoy!