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Dr. Becky Neal: Guinness World Record Holder, Elite Obstacle Course Racer & Head of British Obstacle Sports on Pushing Boundaries in Sport and Science
- 2024/12/03
- 再生時間: 54 分
- ポッドキャスト
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サマリー
あらすじ・解説
Get ready for an episode that dives into the thrilling world of obstacle course racing with Dr. Becky Neal! Becky is an elite British obstacle course racer, a dedicated sports science lecturer, and the Head of OCR at British Obstacle Sports. She’s a Guinness World Record holder for completing the world’s highest OCR event on Mount Everest, and she’s competed in over 150 races across 10 countries since she first discovered the sport during her PhD in environmental physiology. With a background in running and gymnastics, OCR was a natural fit for Becky, but it’s been her grit and resilience that have propelled her to captain the British national team and become a leader in this sport. In this episode, she shares her journey—from her early experiences and initial challenges to racing in extreme environments like the deserts of Saudi Arabia and the high altitudes of Nepal. She also offers invaluable tips on tackling difficult obstacles and staying motivated, no matter your skill level. We’ll explore Becky’s groundbreaking research into wearable technology to monitor athlete health in extreme conditions, and discuss the future of OCR as it takes a spot in the 2028 Olympics as part of the modern pentathlon. This is an episode that celebrates the power of perseverance, and you won’t want to miss it. Tune in for some serious inspiration! Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women. By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. Thank you for your invaluable support! Show notes Who is BeckyBecky's active childhood involved gymnastics, athletics, cross-country, and campingContinuing her passion for sports through universityDoing cheerleading before discovering obstacle course racingThe history of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)The Tough Guy races in the UKHow races like Tough Mudder, and Spartan Race brought mainstream popularity to OCRBecky's first OCR experienceFinding OCR to be both challenging and enjoyableBecky's competitive nature and desire to prove herself physicallyEnjoying the camaraderie of OCR teamsTraining centres and British Obstacle SportsFostering a supportive community for women in OCRStruggling with strength for heavy carriesHow her background in gymnastics gave her a head start on techniquesThe growth of OCR, especially among womenThe excitement of seeing more teenage girls getting involved in OCRHer journey of self-improvement within OCRBeing motivated by the sport’s evolving challenges and the supportive communityPhysical and psychological types of obstaclesHigh obstacles like the cargo netSlides and confined spaces that can cause psychological challengesPersonal anecdotes of fear and mental hurdles among friendsOvercoming fears and mental blocksParticipating with someone to ease the processTraining at centres to practise certain obstaclesExposure to obstacles through videos and guides for familiarityBalancing physical condition with mental readinessRunning 4-5 times a week to build endurance for the racesBouldering for grip strength, not necessarily for climbing techniqueUse of specialised obstacle centres and coaches, where availableBecky's home training setup, including a bike ergo, monkey bars, campus board, and kettlebellsMount Everest Guinness World RecordBecky’s long-standing interest in mountains and altitudeEvent titled “World’s Highest OCR,” set in Nepal (November 2022)Partnership with wearable device company OxyWear to monitor oxygen levelsStudy on cognitive function, oxygen saturation, and altitude sicknessThree stages of the event, including the trek to Everest Base CampChallenges like acclimatisation, extreme cold, and high altitude during the raceAltitude, oxygen scarcity, and impact on the bodyImportance of respecting one's limits and listening to the bodyObservations of other trekkers struggling and determination to continue despite health risksReflections on motivations and risks in high-stakes, challenging environmentsPersonal experience of altitude sickness and emotional responseUnderstanding individual responses to high-altitude training and sicknessCurrent research - using short hypoxia exposures to predict altitude sickness riskApproaches in nutrition, training, and adaptation for individual physiologyUse of wearable technology to monitor vital signsDesert Ultra OCR in Saudi ArabiaPersonal approach to training and racingInnovation in wearable tech testingFuture plans and research directionFinal words of advice Social Media Website: British Obstacle Course Racing Instagram: @...