In 2009 I suffered an equine injury, when I broke bones in my neck. The orthopedic surgeon reported that if I was thrown again from my horse, the consequences would be more severe. We talked about Christopher Reeve and his paralysis. I liked riding Gypsy, in endurance, but my passion was Ride & Tie. I just did not want to continue just trail riding , so I focused on running. During my rehabilitation time, I wrote my first book titled "It Has Nothing to Do with Age." At that time I was 68 years of age and had won the one day, 100 mile Ride and Tie at Swanton Pacific. My friends and associates were accomplished world-class athletes. I decided that I would interview exceptional performing athletes at least 65 years of age and that book title depicted these elite athletes. Ride and Tie does not have age groupings and running events have a last age group for 70-year-olds on up. Today, I would have titled the book "The Ego's Executive Functioning." This essay has to do with that title.
Briefly, psychologically the ego mediates an individual's drives, needs , illusions and morality within reality testing. One can gain insight into an individual's ego functioning or strength by appearance and with conversation. Freud , Jung , Adler , Fromm , Horney, Sullivan, Rogers and others have utilized ego or self within their theories of personality. Coopersmith In his "The Antecedents of Self-Esteem" provided research pertaining to parental characteristics, early history ,and parent-child experiences affecting self-esteem . Although ego and self have been widely researched, they are commonly misunderstood.
With evolution, are "Three Brains Of A Human Being." For example, we have an Archaic Brain. This has also been called the Reptilian Brain as with lizards and snakes. Its functions include temperature control, fight or flight threat responses, defending territory, keeping safe. The caudate nucleus is involved in the psychopathology of the obsessive-compulsive disorder. Second, we have the "Old Brain." This has been called “ The Subconscious Brain" with cats and dogs as examples . Its functions include mood, memory, and hormone production control- the major functions of the limbic system. The anterior cingulate is a structure primarily responsible for mood and impulse control and the hippocampus is the primary memory formation nucleus. The amygdala is primarily responsible for fear, fight or flight responses and anger. The hypothalamus is the major controlling organ of the system. The third brain is called the "New Brain,” the Cortex, or the Conscious Brain found in humans . It's functions are higher cognition, abstract thought, usage of tools, formation and comprehension of language and social behavior Within the cortex, are found Executive Functions and skills that include self-restraint, working memory, emotion control, focus ,task initiation, planning/prioritization, organization, time management, defining and achieving goals , flexibility, observation and stress tolerance . In other words the potential to meet one's needs efficiently and productively are the ego..
A well executive-functioning ego is important and can accurately describe extraordinary athletes competing in extreme sports. It's important to have a well physiologically functioning body for placing extreme stress . That means understanding theory regarding aging that includes a normal aging body within damage caused by overuse and abuse; bio chemicals that govern the release of hormones and other body vital elements
LeBron James and Tom Brady both illustrate the ability to overcome the typical lifespan of professional athletes as they continue performing at extraordinary levels during their aging process. They present an antiaging model utilizing ego executive functioning. For example, the Free Radical theory of aging suggests that these molecules differ from conventional molecules by possessing a free electron, which is a property that makes it react with other molecules, but in a volatile and destructive way. Free radicals have an extra electron which creates an extra negative charge which results in harmful effects by adding oxygen which is called oxidation, also known as antioxidants. Natural antioxidants include vitamins C ,E, and beta carotene which produce vitamin A. This suggests that these athletes are knowledgeable about the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients that allow them to maintain a constant weight which is a key element for optimal aging.
The Wear and Tear Theory suggests that the body and its cells are damaged by overuse and abuse. When young, the body's own maintenance and repair systems keep compensating for the effects of excessive wear and tear. However, with aging, the body loses its ability to repair damage and overuse injuries . Professionals are necessary in the fields of chiropractic care, massage and physical therapy and the employment of ice, heat , whirlpool and rest for recovery which is important for dealing with damaged muscle, ligaments and tendons. For example, watching NBA players sitting on the bench with an ice wrap is typical and the norm.
Tom Brady and LeBron James have personal training staff that advise them regarding the latest information about performing at unheard-of levels. This planning, prioritizing, organizing, time management and goal tasks are part of their executive ego functioning. They focus on training and stressing their body, developing stress tolerance in the process.
These athletes in addition to exercise include nutrition, with vital anti-toxicants with their diet for athletic longevity. It's not so surprising that they also have other assistants working with their stress levels as well. Brady, for example, is undergoing stress within his relationship. I would expect that he is engaged with someone to deal with his emotional difficulties. There is no quick fix or pill dealing with the stress of separation and potential divorce.
Individuals and the elite athletes in my book have a number of things in common. Take Jim Steere for example. Jim was involved with horses very early in life and that became his passion. As a youngster, he rode and also overcame difficulties resulting from his parents divorce . As a junior high school student , Jim rode alone the 90 mile distance ,in two days, from his fathers home in the Mojave Desert to his mothers home near Griffith Park making that trip flawlessly and was greeted by both parents . He learned to take care of himself and take care of his horse both valuable life lessons. Aside from his passion with horses and other animals, Jim was a bright, intellectually curious individual. He was a patriot and was involved in World War II becoming a Norden bombardier expert . Lady luck was with him as his crew was killed when the B 29 exploded during the Guam takeoff. Jim was visiting an ill paternal grandparent at that time.
Jim was a Fulbright scholar and enjoyed his time in Denmark becoming more humanistic in his philosophy of life. He learned humanistically about abortion ,about suicide as suicide was part of his families history. Jim did graduate work and became a Veterinarian. He was instrumental in the beginning of Ride & Tie and its illustrious history. Jim was also part of Tevis history as well, as he had a personal relationship with Wendle Robie. Jim pulled Wendle’s horse on one Tevis and that was his last Tevis. Jim was an exceptional athlete and completed in his mid 80s. I was fortunate enough to have talked with Jim a few days prior to his death, I remember him for his warmth and caring. He was an exceptional man . Tony and I went to his funeral and that was a memorable event with respect and the involvement of so many. Jim was dedicated. He was passionate and he was a hospice support for his father during his demise. Thomas said, “ I’m dying, I'm dying. Help me. Oh, God, help me. Jim, help me die. I love you, son” . .... Jim woke his mother, announcing, "Mother, dad is gone." Florence replied, "Oh, I'm so thankful. His suffering is over."
It's obvious Jim's executive ego functions were prominent during adolescence. In order to make a 90 mile voyage on horseback from Jim's home to Florences , Jim had to have higher cognition , abstract thought and use of tools. He had to care for that horse and make sure that it didn't go lame during a trip or they would've been in trouble. He had to picture and visualize” the trip” using memory and all the necessary supplies needed for the trip. He organized and planned in order to make the trip. In essence, he defined his goal and was able to tolerate the stress of being alone while persevering and pushing on while dealing with nature and all its obstacles. In order to be an elite athlete, performing at extraordinary levels, one has to have optimal executive ego functioning. Jim's personal history suggests that was accomplished superbly. Einstein said “ Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of ,many generations. All this is put in your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day faithfully hand it on to your children.”
Reference
Cerebral Dominance. The Institute for Natural Resources
Klatz, Ronald and Goldman, Robert. Stopping the Clock.
PS
Tony just informed me that Russ Kiernan passed. Russ was my first Ride & Tie partner. More on Russ next week.
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