588. In Defense of Doping w/ Dr. Alexander Hutchison

The Far Side of Fitness

In this engaging conversation, the host and author Dr. Alexander Hutchison dive deep into his book, 'In Defense of Doping.' They discuss the evolution of Hutchison's thoughts on doping, influenced by historical events in sports, like Lance Armstrong's doping scandal, NIL in college sports, and controversial decisions by sports bodies. Hutchison provides insight into his personal journey and experiences, including being denied a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone in weightlifting. The conversation addresses the moral complexities and the perceived hypocrisy in the anti-doping stance, exploring why athletes choose to dope and highlighting how performance-enhancing drugs are pervasive in all aspects of life. Hutchison also shares his perspective as a former athlete and addresses the broader implications of doping in sports, extending beyond just drugs to areas such as training methodologies, coaching, and sports regulations. The discussion also touches on the impact of media and public opinion on the lives of athletes and the entertainment value of sports.

Dr. Alexander Hutchison is a fitness and wellness expert in Dallas, Texas and the owner of Good Egg Fitness. He is the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Cellular Physiology. He reviews for several peer-reviewed journals in exercise science, nutrition, and immunology. He has authored three books, Exercise Ain’t Enough: HIIT, Honey, and the Hadza, The Swim Prescription, and In Defense of Doping. As an athlete, Alexander was a member of two NAIA national championship swim teams at the University of Puget Sound (95-96) and qualified for the world age group championships in triathlon in 2005 and met the qualifying standard for the Olympic weightlifting age group World Championships in 2019. As a coach, he led the boys’ swim team from Southlake Carroll high school to the 2002 UIL state championship. He has also coached numerous athletes to successful finishes in Ironman triathlons and qualifying times for the Boston Marathon. Alexander is married to Enjonli Hutchison and is the father of Kaya Hutchison. They go on family runs every Sunday and finished the Houston Half-Marathon together in 2020 in 2:55:54.

Dr. Alexander's Links:

goodegg.fitness

https://www.instagram.com/the_professor_hutchison/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-hutchison-8687aa223/

Dr. Darian's Links;

www.doctordarianparker.com

Dr. Darian's Affiliate: Stick Mobility

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Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to 'In Defense of Doping' and Author Insights

00:44 Evolution of Perspectives on Doping

02:56 Personal Experiences and the Absurdity of Doping Regulations

04:25 The Richardson Case and the Debate on THC

08:12 Exploring Hypocrisy and Inequity in Sports

08:47 The Complex Criteria for Banning Substances in Sports

21:34 The Realities of Performance Enhancement Beyond Sports

25:08 Cultural Shifts in Perception of Performance Enhancement

32:27 The Dilemma of Doping in Sports

32:44 Lance Armstrong's Controversial Choice

33:05 The Impact of EPO on Athletic Performance

34:23 The Ethical Crossroads of Competitive Sports

35:11 Understanding the Athlete's Mindset

37:56 The Reality of Doping Beyond the Headlines

46:15 Parenting in the Age of Performance Enhancement

52:30 The Universal Quest for an Edge

56:33 Closing Thoughts on Sports, Doping, and Society