The Exponential Athlete | Sports Performance Ken Jee

In sports performance, we spend so much time talking about the tangible aspects size, speed, and strength, that we often overlook the colossal impact that the brain and the motor control system have on skill. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Zach Schonbrun. Zach wrote the book, the performance cortex, which is a deep study into the often misunderstood ways that the brain impacts sports performance. In this episode we talk about how athlete brains differ from non-athletes, what is the real meaning of genius in athletes, and why promising new technology often doesn’t get adopted by elite athletes.



The Performance Cortex: https://amzn.to/4bRg1AK

Zach on Twitter: https://x.com/zschonbrun

Substack: https://zachschonbrun.substack.com/



Exponential Athlete Links

Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcast⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcast⁠⁠

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XmCCYsVVOVmRavFYT5b1C?si=4d5ed3e8abbb4ef3

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-exponential-athlete

Website: https://exponentialathlete.co/



00:00:00 Intro

00:01:28 What is the role of the brain in sports?

00:07:13 - What types of genius are there in athletes?

00:13:05 - Federer

00:18:12 - Deception with body language in sport

00:22:15 - Downside of Habits

00:24:52 - How do you measure the Brain for Sports?

00:30:41 - What is sports IQ?

00:37:11 - How to improve the brain for sport

00:39:58 - deliberate practice

00:44:17 - The problem of over coaching

00:47:20 - Training Feel

00:52:42 - The purpose of a warmup

00:59:54 - Origin Story

01:07:31 - Why are sports teams hesitant to adopt useful tech?

01:14:59 - Individual athlete vs team adoption

01:17:07 - who is open to experimentation

01:17:49 - What is the next innovation in sports performance?

01:21:53 - Sense of Touch



Affiliates:

Track your health data with Whoop. Get 1 month free - join.whoop.com/exponentialathlete

This is part 4 of the 4 part podcast series studying the keys to Roger Federer’s success on the tennis court. In this episode we explore Roger Federer's unique upbringing, the approach that his parents used in cultivating his skill, and the luck factors that made his career. 0:00 Intro2:15 Natural Ability9:51 Parental Approach30:37 Outside Factors 38:10 ADHD41:47 Pitfalls of Success51:14 Recap Books:Fedegraphica: https://amzn.to/3UBehWm The Master: https://amzn.to/4aSnyPy The Roger Federer Effect: https://amzn.to/3WesCJI Roger Federer & Rafa Nadal: https://amzn.to/4a74JqU Strokes of Genius: https://amzn.to/3UDmTvz The Winner Effect: https://amzn.to/3UBhu8u String Theory: https://amzn.to/3UEs3ru How to Not Die Alone: https://amzn.to/49XYa9J Articles: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/-working-with-federer-was-not-always-easy-/62100 https://medium.com/@RationalBadger/what-can-we-learn-from-roger-federer-the-swiss-maestro-eca867155aa3 https://davidepstein.substack.com/p/heres-why-federers-developmental-22-10-03 https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ezafj/im_roger_federer_a_professional_tennis_player/ https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/sports/tennis/03iht-sratfederer03.html Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZvN_OvO1M&ab_channel=UnitedStatesTennisAssociation(USTA) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyJXX4J7eHU&ab_channel=CreditSuisse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jvr9aOsWWc&ab_channel=CreditSuisse https://youtu.be/o77kV5BcwxE?t=165 https://youtube.com/watch?v=lZAvaVZ69Bg Movies:Strokes of GeniusResearch:Enjoyable activities - ⁠https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2863117Context Dependent Learning - https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00400910610645707/full/htmlRewarding effort - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6176062/ Exponential Athlete Links
Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcast⁠⁠ 
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/⁠⁠ 
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcast⁠⁠ 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XmCCYsVVOVmRavFYT5b1C?si=4d5ed3e8abbb4ef3
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-exponential-athlete
Website: https://exponentialathlete.co/

Affiliates:
Track your health data with Whoop. Get 1 month free - join.whoop.com/exponentialathlete

This is part 3 of the 4 part podcast series studying the keys to Roger
Federer’s success on the tennis court. In this episode we explore the
strategy, tactics, technical details, mental approach, and demeanor that
gave him one of the most unique advantages in sports.

We cover:
0:00 Intro
2:16 Strategy and Tactics
47:35 Technical Details
01:32:02 Reputation
02:00:32 Mental Approach & Playfulness
02:19:31
Books:
Fedegraphica: https://amzn.to/3UBehWm
The Master: https://amzn.to/4aSnyPy
The Roger Federer Effect: https://amzn.to/3WesCJI
Roger Federer & Rafa Nadal: https://amzn.to/4a74JqU
Strokes of Genius: https://amzn.to/3UDmTvz
The Winner Effect: https://amzn.to/3UBhu8u
String Theory: https://amzn.to/3UEs3ru
How to Not Die Alone: https://amzn.to/49XYa9J

Articles:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/-working-with-federer-was-not-always-easy-/62100
https://medium.com/@RationalBadger/what-can-we-learn-from-roger-federer-the-swiss-maestro-eca867155aa3
https://davidepstein.substack.com/p/heres-why-federers-developmental-22-10-03
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ezafj/im_roger_federer_a_professional_tennis_player/
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/sports/tennis/03iht-sratfederer03.html
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZvN_OvO1M&ab_channel=UnitedStatesTennisAssociation(USTA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyJXX4J7eHU&ab_channel=CreditSuisse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jvr9aOsWWc&ab_channel=CreditSuisse
https://youtu.be/o77kV5BcwxE?t=165
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lZAvaVZ69Bg
Movies:
Strokes of Genius
Research:
Enjoyable activities -
⁠https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2863117
Context Dependent Learning -
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00400910610645707/full/html


Exponential Athlete Links
Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcast⁠⁠ 
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/⁠⁠ 
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcast⁠⁠ 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XmCCYsVVOVmRavFYT5b1C?si=4d5ed3e8abbb4ef3
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-exponential-athlete
Website: https://exponentialathlete.co/

Affiliates:
Track your health data with Whoop. Get 1 month free - join.whoop.com/exponentialathlete

#rogerfederer #sportsperformance #podcast

This is part 2 of the 4 part podcast series studying the keys to Roger Federer’s success on the tennis court. In this episode we explore his approach, philosophy, and process for maintaining a competitive career for over 20 years. We cover:

0:00 Intro
3:08 Goals for Longevity
27:46 How Impressive is His Longevity
32:43 Love of the Lifestyle
1:04:28 Importance of Curiosity
1:15:34 The Role of Variety
1:33:59 Training Approach
2:17:46 Who Came Before Him

Books:

Fedegraphica: https://amzn.to/3UBehWm

The Master: https://amzn.to/4aSnyPy

The Roger Federer Effect: https://amzn.to/3WesCJI

Roger Federer & Rafa Nadal: https://amzn.to/4a74JqU

Strokes of Genius: https://amzn.to/3UDmTvz

The Winner Effect: https://amzn.to/3UBhu8u

String Theory: https://amzn.to/3UEs3ru

How to Not Die Alone: https://amzn.to/49XYa9J



Articles:

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/-working-with-federer-was-not-always-easy-/62100

https://medium.com/@RationalBadger/what-can-we-learn-from-roger-federer-the-swiss-maestro-eca867155aa3

https://davidepstein.substack.com/p/heres-why-federers-developmental-22-10-03

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ezafj/im_roger_federer_a_professional_tennis_player/

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/sports/tennis/03iht-sratfederer03.html

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZvN_OvO1M&ab_channel=UnitedStatesTennisAssociation(USTA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyJXX4J7eHU&ab_channel=CreditSuisse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jvr9aOsWWc&ab_channel=CreditSuisse

https://youtu.be/o77kV5BcwxE?t=165

https://youtube.com/watch?v=lZAvaVZ69Bg

Movies:

Strokes of Genius

Research:

Enjoyable activities -
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2863117/
Context Dependent Learning -https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00400910610645707/full/html


Exponential Athlete Socials

Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcast⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcast⁠⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExponentialAthlete/featured

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XmCCYsVVOVmRavFYT5b1C

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exponential-athlete/id1726985417

This is part 1 of the 4 part podcast series studying the keys to Roger Federer’'s success on the tennis court. In this episode we explore the incredible transformation that Federer made from emotional and immature teen to polished professional and champion. We cover:



0:00 Intro

6:18 Red Flags

21:24 The Transformation

27:30 Getting the Right People

1:22:25 A Perspective Shift

1:38:24 Personal View of Improvement

2:00:21 Confidence

2:17:46 Who Came Before Him





Books:

Fedegraphica: https://amzn.to/3UBehWm

The Master: https://amzn.to/4aSnyPy

The Roger Federer Effect: https://amzn.to/3WesCJI

Roger Federer & Rafa Nadal: https://amzn.to/4a74JqU

Strokes of Genius: https://amzn.to/3UDmTvz

The Winner Effect: https://amzn.to/3UBhu8u

String Theory: https://amzn.to/3UEs3ru

How to Not Die Alone: https://amzn.to/49XYa9J



Articles:

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/-working-with-federer-was-not-always-easy-/62100

https://medium.com/@RationalBadger/what-can-we-learn-from-roger-federer-the-swiss-maestro-eca867155aa3

https://davidepstein.substack.com/p/heres-why-federers-developmental-22-10-03

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ezafj/im_roger_federer_a_professional_tennis_player/

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/sports/tennis/03iht-sratfederer03.html

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZvN_OvO1M&ab_channel=UnitedStatesTennisAssociation(USTA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyJXX4J7eHU&ab_channel=CreditSuisse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jvr9aOsWWc&ab_channel=CreditSuisse

https://youtu.be/o77kV5BcwxE?t=165

https://youtube.com/watch?v=lZAvaVZ69Bg

Movies:

Strokes of Genius



Exponential Athlete Socials

Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcast⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcast⁠⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExponentialAthlete/featured

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XmCCYsVVOVmRavFYT5b1C 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-exponential-athlete/id1726985417

In the history of the PGA tour, there have only been 12 rounds where players have shot under 60. There is only one person who has accomplished this feat more than once. Not only that, he also holds the record for shooting the lowest round in a PGA tour event, a 58 at TPC river highlands. This man is Jim Furyk, and I had the pleasure of interviewing him today. We learn about his mental approach and the voices he was hearing in his head when shooting these low scores, how he developed his unique swing, and his experience going head to head with Tiger in one of my favorite playoffs in golf history.

Jim Furyk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimfuryk
Foundation: https://jimandtabithafurykfoundation.com/

Exponential Athlete Socials
Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/athletexpodcast⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exponentialathlete/⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exponential-athlete-podcast⁠⁠

0:00 Intro
1:05 Where Did Love of the Game Start?
3:17 What is Getting Lost in the Process?
6:18 Different Types of Practice
8:01 Advice for Young Players
9:20 Evolution of Jim's Swing
11:46 Refining Vs Rebuilding
12:13 Fundamentals
16:56 Importance of Setup
23:50 Goals in Golf
27:07 Getting to the Next Level
30:34 Self Awareness
33:11 Getting there Vs Winning
35:56 Career Longevity
39:42 58 and 59
45:22 Bouncing Back
50:29 Recalling Good Shots
53:10 Visualization
59:17 Influential People
1:04:35 Golf Changes
1:10:33 How Tiger Changed the Game
1:14:50 2000 Tiger
1:16:12 Tiger Effect
1:21:03 Epic Playoff With Tiger
1:24:24 Hate Losing or Love Winning More?