Rebel Book Club Vancouver x ENDURANCE

Welcome to the RBC Vancouver event, where we'll be diving into September's theme, Endurance, through this month's read, , by Alex Hutchinson.

In Endure, Hutchinson reveals why our individual limits may be determined as much by our head and heart, as by our muscles. He presents an overview of science’s search for understanding human fatigue, from crude experiments with electricity and frogs’ legs to sophisticated brain imaging technology. Going beyond the traditional mechanical view of human limits, he instead argues that a key element in endurance is how the brain responds to distress signals - whether heat, or cold, or muscles screaming with lactic acid - and reveals that we can train to improve brain response.

Why we chose to read Endure: "If you want to gain insight into the mind of great athletes, adventurers, and peak performers then prepare to be enthralled by Alex Hutchinson’s Endure." - Bear Grylls

Inspired by our monthly non-fiction reads, our mix of part cocktail party, part creative classroom is a recipe that builds your reading habit while connecting with like minded people.

Michaela holds a BA and MSc in Kinesiology from Western University, where she captained the squash team. Now, as a PhD candidate in Physical Therapy at UBC, Michaela studies all things running science.

Michaela’s current research (funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research) investigates the effects of running on our knees, especially in older runners with knee pain. Combining motion capture technology, advanced medical imaging, & wearable sensors, this work considers training management, footwear, & running technique modification.

Michaela has a strong passion for education in the running community. Her work has been featured by award-winning journalists in the New York Times, Washington Post, Toronto Star, Canadian Running Magazine, as well as on radio & podcasts. She is also an advocate for women’s cycling as a coach, group ride leader, & admin for the Vancouver Women’s Road Biking Facebook community.

Follow Michaela >>

Try out the club with Eventbrite - new customers only. Ticket price includes access to the Vancouver Rebel Book Club event.

Paige Eager

Paige joined Rebel Book Club in London in July 2018. She loves how RBC encourages her to explore new subjects and perspectives she might not have discovered otherwise.

After moving across the pond and missing the events and connections she made with fellow RBC'ers, she wanted to recreate that experience in vibrant Vancouver.

Top RBC Reads:

• ⁠Bad Blood, by John Carreyrou
• ⁠Life 3.0, by Max Tegmark
• ⁠In Extremis: The Life of War Correspondent Marie Colvin, by Lindsey Hilsum

Amirali Sharifian

Amirali is a programming language designer for AI computers. Having made Vancouver his home, he found himself missing a like-minded community—one that thrives on curiosity, deep conversations, and a shared passion for learning. Rebel Book Club offers just that, and Amirali is excited to help grow a space where diverse perspectives come together to challenge ideas and expand horizons.

Amirali's nonfiction recommendations:

• The User Illusion: Cutting Consciousness Down to Size, by "Tor Nørretranders"
• ⁠Factfulness, by Hans Rosling

Host or Publisher Rebel Book Club