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Natural Born Heroes
352 pages, 2016
Christopher McDougall’s journey begins with a story of remarkable athletic prowess: On the treacherous mountains of Crete, a motley band of World War II Resistance fighters—an artist, a shepherd, and a poet—abducted a German commander from the heart of the Axis occupation.
To understand how, McDougall retraces their steps across the island that birthed Herakles and Odysseus and discovers ancient techniques for endurance, sustenance, and natural movement preserved in unique communities worldwide.
His search takes us scrambling over rooftops with a Parkour crew in London, foraging for greens with a ballerina in Brooklyn, tossing heavy pieces of driftwood on a Brazilian beach with the creator of MovNat—and, finally, to our backyards.
In Natural Born Heroes, Christopher McDougall explores the concept of natural movement. He suggests that our bodies are designed for a wide range of movements, not just the repetitive ones we often do in the gym. By incorporating more natural movements into our daily lives, we can improve our fitness and overall health.
McDougall takes us on a journey through history, exploring the concept of heroism. He suggests that true heroes are not born, but made. They are ordinary people who rise to extraordinary challenges. This book encourages us to see the potential hero within ourselves.
One of the key takeaways from Natural Born Heroes is the importance of endurance. McDougall argues that endurance is not just about physical stamina, but also mental toughness. It's about pushing through obstacles and never giving up, no matter how tough the journey gets.
McDougall introduces us to the world of parkour, a discipline that involves moving through the environment in the most efficient way possible. He suggests that parkour can teach us a lot about our bodies and our potential for movement. It's a fascinating look into a lesser-known sport.
In Natural Born Heroes, McDougall also digs into the role of diet in our health and fitness. He suggests that a diet rich in natural, unprocessed foods can fuel our bodies more effectively than the processed foods that are so common today. It's a compelling argument for rethinking the way we eat.
