
Psychology and Stuff
Ep. 188: What Makes an Endurance Athlete? (w/ Dr. Chelsea Wooding & Dr. Jason Cowell)
In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with UW–Green Bay psychologists and endurance athletes Dr. Chelsea Wooding and Dr. Jason Cowell to explore the psychology of endurance sports, from personality and motivation to pain and perseverance. Their conversation was inspired by their recent 100.5-mile Door County Century ride, and the mental and physical challenges they faced along the way. Chelsea and Jason break down what separates endurance athletes from the rest of us, why conscientiousness may be key to going the distance, and how training, social connection, and small rewards can reshape our relationship with effort. From the “pain cave” to the differences between amateur and professional athletes, they explore what it really takes to keep moving forward, and whether women may have an advantage when endurance events reach their most extreme.


