The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 14 Episode 113 Christopher McDougall
- August 18, 2009
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6.1 (27)
In this episode of The Daily Show, host Jon Stewart welcomes author Christopher McDougall to the show. McDougall is the author of the best-selling book, "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen," which discusses the Tarahumara, a tribe of ultra-runners from Mexico.
Stewart starts off the interview by asking McDougall about his inspiration for writing the book. McDougall explains that he was dealing with a running injury at the time and was looking for alternative ways to train. This led him to discover the Tarahumara and their unique running abilities.
The conversation then turns to the science of running and the natural human ability to run long distances. McDougall explains that humans are built to run and that our ancestors used to hunt by running down their prey. He also discusses the harmful effects of modern running shoes and how they contribute to injuries.
Stewart and McDougall then discuss the process of writing and researching the book. McDougall shares some of the challenges he faced, including gaining the trust of the Tarahumara and navigating the dangerous terrain of their remote village. He also talks about the process of training for his own ultra-marathon race and how it changed his perspective on running.
The interview then takes a more lighthearted turn as Stewart and McDougall discuss the celebrity following of "Born to Run," including comedian Louis CK. McDougall tells a funny anecdote about receiving a message from CK after he read the book and how it led to them running together in Central Park.
Throughout the interview, McDougall emphasizes the importance of finding joy in running and listening to your body's natural abilities. He also encourages viewers to try new things and not be afraid to push themselves outside of their comfort zones.
Overall, this episode of The Daily Show provides an interesting and informative conversation about the natural abilities of the human body and the power of running. McDougall's insights and experiences make for a compelling interview that will inspire viewers to lace up their running shoes and hit the pavement.