86: The Truth About Running & Longevity | With Brad Kearns

As a former pro triathlete, Brad Kearns used to push himself to the extremes of human endurance. He competed globally, chasing medals and personal records, only to eventually confront a humbling truth: his intense cardio regimen wasn't building him up — it was slowly breaking his body down. Overtraining left him exhausted, inflamed, and far from the image of optimal health he once envisioned.

Today, Kearns sees fitness differently. Rather than pushing endless mileage, he's embraced shorter, more explosive movements like sprinting, jumping and lifting — movements that mimic our ancestral heritage, and that our bodies naturally crave. 

In this episode of the Primal Shift podcast, we talk about why modern fitness culture has become hyper-focused on cardio, overlooking the fact that our bodies thrive when exposed to a balanced set of exercises.

We also discuss the consequences of pushing too hard, too often, including skyrocketing cortisol, hampered metabolism and staggering injury rates.

Kearns' journey highlights the fact that optimal health is about nuance, not extremes. It's about rediscovering a primal approach to movement that energizes rather than exhausts, and heals rather than harms. By shifting away from relentless endurance toward mindful, primal fitness, we reconnect with our evolutionary blueprint, supporting lifelong vitality rather than short-term achievements.

Learn more:

Primal Shift Podcast #33: Why Mark Sisson Stopped Running! The Truth Behind Footwear and Health: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/33-why-mark-sisson-stopped-running-the-truth-behind-footwear-and-health/ 

The Health Benefits of Barefoot Shoes: https://michaelkummer.com/barefoot-shoes-benefits/ 

The Best Barefoot Shoes for Everything From CrossFit to Date Night: https://michaelkummer.com/best-barefoot-shoes/ 

About Brad Kearns:

Website: http://bradkearns.com

Podcast Link: https://www.bradkearns.com/podcast-2

Thank you to this episode's sponsor, OneSkin!

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Check out my before and after photos in my OneSkin review: https://michaelkummer.com/health/oneskin-review/ 

Get 15% off with my discount code PRIMALSHIFT: https://michaelkummer.com/go/oneskinshop 

In this episode:

00:00 - Intro

01:05 - Are humans really born to run?

02:53 - Running vs. sprinting: What's best for longevity?

06:55 - The impact of endurance training on health

10:49 - The risks of overtraining and chronic cardio

15:00 - The role of heart rate in effective exercise

21:00 - Walking vs. running for overall fitness

28:14 - How to build endurance the right way

35:40 - Finding balance in training and recovery

42:55 - The power of movement throughout the day

49:10 - How to optimize fitness for longevity

51:56 - Final thoughts 

Find me on social media for more health and wellness content:

• Website: https://michaelkummer.com/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalshiftpodcast/

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/

• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/

[Medical Disclaimer]

The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.

[Affiliate Disclaimer]

I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.

#PrimalShift #OptimalHealth #AncestralLiving #BornToWalk #Running #Marathon