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Five people who will challenge your limiting beliefs about health and fitness
People redefining what we’re capable of — and what they can teach us
Introduction
A few years ago, I learned about the Bannister Effect and the idea has fascinated me ever since: Once someone does something previously considered impossible, a psychological barrier is broken and others follow their lead.
While some feel the effect is overblown, there’s something innately human about taking inspiration from someone who has gone where few others — or even no one else — has. Like the generation who watched with wonder as Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, we all want to believe something more is possible.
In my opinion, the Bannister Effect is especially important in health and wellness. We’ve come to a point in history where the definition of normal health is frightening: 60% of Americans have at least one chronic illness and about 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. The rest of the developed world is catching up to us at a terrifying rate as well. For many people, chronic illnesses and prescription meds are an expected part of life.
As someone who’s spent 5 years healing a chronic illness and many more dealing with systemic inflammation, I sometimes fall into a…
