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Author and elite running coach Jason Karp explains in his recent TEDx Talk why running is such a powerful tool to improve our minds

How does running like an animal make us more human? According to Jason Karp, author of Work Out: The Revolutionary Method of Creating a Sound Body to Create a Sound Mind, running is about more than just achieving goals. Running allows us to live life fully by attending to our physical needs first, so that our minds can operate clearly. If you need an extra hit of motivation to get yourself out the door today, this 14-minute video will do the trick.

In his talk, Karp argues that while we’re often told to practice mindfulness to keep ourselves mentally well, this advice is incomplete. He says we are physical animals first, and by meeting the needs of our bodies, we can better meet the needs of our minds.

Karp goes on to explain that every human has three parts—body, brain and mind. When these three parts work together and are equally balanced, life is great. Unfortunately, this rarely happens, and the body, brain and mind are often in conflict with one another, all trying to be the boss.

“But there can only be one boss,” he says. “People tend to think that the brain sits atop the pyramid, controlling the body, but it’s actually the other way around. The body is the chief executive officer and the brain is the chief operating officer. While your brain controls your body’s entire operation, it works in service to your body.”

Karp goes on to talk about how running improves the function of your mind, makes you more creative and relieves stress. Using scientific examples, he emphasizes that by taking care of your body first, the health of both your brain and your mind will follow.

So if you’re struggling to push yourself out the door today, or are looking for an extra hit of motivation to get you through your next training block, bookmark this video so you can pull it out any time you need to be reminded of your “why”. And, as Karp says, “Run to be creative, run to be imaginative, run to be confident, run to be successful, run to be productive, run to be helpful—just run.”