You Need No Victory to Win

My toughest self-experiment yet

In my book "The Indoctrinated Brain" I describe the significance of Liebig's Law of the Minimum for the physical and mental health of individuals as the foundation of a free and creative society.

I had tested the systemic foundations of my beliefs early in my career, documenting them both scientifically and through film. This is the story of my toughest self-experiment, aiming to fully utilize my potential sustainably with the help of what I call the Methuselah Strategy:

RACE ACROSS AMERICA

The Race Across America (RAAM) is considered the world's toughest bicycle race. Riders must cover 3,000 miles solo within a maximum of 12 days. The route stretches across the entire country: from the Pacific to the Atlantic—through blazing hot deserts, over passes higher than 10,000 feet, and across the vast expanses of the Midwest... day and night.

During my second attempt at the RAAM in 2010, I pushed my physical and mental limits once again. The goal: to finish without suffering. I was accompanied by my wife, my three children, and eight friends—an extreme sport turned family outing.

THE METHUSELAH STRATEGY

I found the key to a relaxed race in the right strategy, balancing strain and recovery, team spirit and individuality, meticulous planning, and humor. I also found answers to some of the most crucial questions: What actually drives us? What motives lead to failure, and which are the basis for success, even in daily life? Based on my seminal work "The Methuselah Strategy" (so far only available in German, but the findings have also been incorporated into The Indoctrinated Brain), The Race Across America reflects life in fast-forward and shows that with the right motives and a healthy strategy, one can indeed move mountains.

DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS

As befits a scientist, during my first participation in RAAM in 2008, my race strategy was recorded using the most advanced measurement techniques available at the time, with daily blood samples analyzed by the Faculty of Sports Medicine at the University of Freiburg. The remarkable results were peer-reviewed and published under the title "Physiology, Power Output, and Racing Strategy of a Race Across America Finisher" .

My related book "Challenge Race Across America" (currently only available in German, but again: the findings have also been incorporated into The Indoctrinated Brain) contains vital information on how to analyze complex challenges to find an optimal strategy for oneself. And, of course, it serves as a special guide for anyone who enjoys long-distance cycling.

This trailer gives you a look at the documentary capturing the pivotal project that shaped my later work, originally sold as a DVD.