Summary
Highlights
The speaker challenges the audience to imagine holding a plank for just 60 seconds, then recounts George Hood's world record plank of over 10 hours. Hood's secret to endurance was surprising: "The plank is 90% mental," achieved by distracting himself and drawing energy from others. This introduces the idea that grit is more than just willpower.
Grit is rooted in biology, specifically involving Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for brain health, growth, and communication of neurons. BDNF aids memory and mental resilience. While sunlight, blueberries, and antidepressants increase BDNF, exercise, particularly the plank, is highlighted as one of the most effective ways to boost it.
The speaker, a clinical professor, shares his experience with medically destitute patients suffering from chronic pain and despair. He hypothesizes that planks, rich in mental effort, could offer potential benefits, though further research is needed. He notes that the most effective exercises for raising BDNF are those requiring mental effort, making the plank a highly efficient method.
Grit and BDNF are supported by science. A 2005 study in Hippocampus showed that exercises requiring mental focus, like navigating mazes, produced more BDNF than purely exhausting physical exercises. Similarly, activities combining physical effort and concentration, such as yoga, have yielded the highest measured BDNF levels in people.
The speaker is designing a study to investigate if the plank can relieve pain, particularly for patients like Daniel, who suffers from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Despite excruciating pain, Daniel managed a nine-hour plank on his affected arm, demonstrating the powerful connection between challenging exercises, BDNF, and managing painful conditions. Recent research confirms that exercise significantly boosts BDNF levels.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the relationship between exercise, BDNF, and improved quality of life. He concludes by challenging the audience: do a plank the next time they feel a need for more grit. It takes just a minute but can be transformative, fostering resilience and mental toughness.