BBC Documentary: The Truth About Exercise

Run or walk?  Long & steady, or short & intense? 

Physician-journalist Michael Mosely becomes a guinua pig for exercise researchers in the U.K. who demonstrate, among other things, that a certain gene sequence can predict how his body will respond to exercise. Along the way, he also learns:

• why Tabata / HIIT intervals are so effective
• what an "exercise non-responder" is, and why these people should exercise anyway
• how to be sure that sitting doesn't getcha, in spite of your regular exercise

Watch The Truth About Exercise with Michael Mosley on PBS. See more from Michael Mosley.

Our Path to the Octagon

As most who are interested already know, our champ Gilbert Melendez lost a very narrow, split judge's decision in his UFC title fight against Benson Henderson this past Saturday in San Jose. Gil fought like a champion: dominated the fight by controlling the cage and dictating the pace to frustrate a tough and tricky opponent. Sharp, composed and in top shape, he made the UFC champ run from him for most of their 25 minutes, patiently staying true to the gameplan and executing great technique. He fought bravely, never backed down, gave everything he got right back to Benson and left the Octagon mostly undamaged. Partied with the team and fans all night. Like a champ.

And, he lost by only one point on the three judges' scorecards. Of course, we all feel crushed. Of course, I wish I could have made him stronger, faster, able to fly, etc. But, I don't think there is room for regret on anybody's part. In our eyes (and the press in attendance), he aced the training, won the fight, beat the champ, and proved undoubtedly that he is, as he has been for years, at the very top of the game. May his doubters now rest.

In a pre-fight interview, one of the other fighters said, "You learn more about yourself in fighting than any other sport", and I'm inclined to agree. Not only does combat take the courage of facing danger with intelligence and heart, it requires the discipline of facing the crushing training to overcome your weaknesses every day, for weeks, months, years, and eventually achieve both the skill and opportunity to do it. Combat sports are at a level where great talent alone is not enough to compete at the top – one needs a tribe of family, coaches, therapists, training partners, teammates, sponsors, friends and fans. My only disappointment is over how easily the obvious success of our 13 grueling weeks could be dismissed by a few judges. Gil's performance was an expression of the best training camp we've had to date – the team effort this time was exceptional as everyone was inspired to exceed their limits. For my part, I was able to get him stronger than ever because he dedicated himself to conditioning and recovery from the start. And I'm especially grateful for the invisible support from Albert Salopek's sports medicine, Alexis' flexibility training and his fiancée, Keri Taylor's nutrition (and life!) support.

But, as much as anyone puts into it and as deep as one may go, at the end of the day it is a game, a sport ruled by judges, a pursuit of exceptional human ability, a competitive entertainment industry ultimately controlled by human opinion. Staying on the path after disappointment such as this demands devotion to the higher value of this path: a chance to push the limit and find out what one is made of – a chance to be ultimate. And now, too, it is a challenge to find strength in loss, to find grounding and rise again from it. We all accepted this deal and so, despite how this chapter has ended, I feel grateful, feel stronger. My thanks to all who shared and supported the journey.

I want a fucking rematch.