May 3, 2019
Ben and I sat down recently to discuss some of the latest research
into how exercise affects the brain, and specifically, running.
While Ben isn’t leading any of these studies in his work, he acts
as somewhat of a translator in his writing, helping us to
understand the cutting edge of brain science. He’s spent the past
decade and a half in the lab, looking at how the brain grows and
works during our lifetime.
And being a keen runner, Ben is curious to look at real evidence,
and science… that supports common effects and feelings expressed by
runners of all levels: how running can help us clear the mind, find
focus, deal with stress… think more creatively… and impact our
overall mental health. As you heard, Ben equates running with a
type of mindfulness meditation.
Find out more by listening to Episode 2 of The Aire Libre Running
Podcast, a series of intimate conversations with renowned experts
and inspiring characters on discovering our world through running,
travel, culture, spirituality and mindfulness.
Ben Martynoga is a neuroscientist and science writer. After a
decade at the forefront of brain research, he swapped his
white coat for a pen, leaving his full-time lab role to focus on
communicating science. He is in demand as a speaker and has
published books, chapters, blogs and podcasts. His
articles appear in the Guardian, New
Statesman, The i newspaper, Long+Short magazine
and the Financial Times. Increasingly, he feels the need
to get up from his laptop and go out for a run. When he gets back
to his desk, ideas always flow more easily. He tweets,
occasionally, at @mountainogre .