Frank McKinney
Can I be Frank with you?
A modern-day Renaissance man, Frank McKinney has built a life that spans far beyond mortal comprehension. From speaking to 10,000+ homeless people at 80 homeless shelters in 70 cities over a 60-day span across the US, to achieving mind-blowing high-end speculative real estate milestones, to becoming a nine-time best-selling author in eight genres, Frank defies easy categorization.
Alongside his many achievements, Frank belongs to a small group of athletes drawn to extreme endurance challenges. One of the most demanding in the world is the Badwater 135—a non-stop 135-mile ultramarathon that begins in Death Valley, CA, 282 feet below sea level, and climbs to Mount Whitney, at 8,300 feet. Held in July, temperatures can exceed 139°F (55°C). Frank has raced at Badwater an astounding thirteen times.
Preparing for an event of this magnitude requires more than just mileage. It demands cutting-edge approaches to physiology, recovery and performance. One technique Frank has used is Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT). Hypoxic is a word that describes a low-oxygen environment at the cellular level. This training method has gained increased attention in sports science over the past two decades.
Oxygen, Energy, and Endurance
We operate most efficiently on aerobic (adequate oxygen) energy. Thinking, talking, digesting, walking, running – everything we do requires energy that is produced in the cell. Energy production depends on a delicate balance between fuel (from food) and breathed oxygen. Under normal conditions, the air we breathe contains 20.9% oxygen, allowing cells to efficiently produce the energy our bodies need for daily living.
In a 135-mile ultramarathon, exercise intensity increases beyond what available oxygen can support. The body shifts toward anaerobic (inadequate oxygen) metabolism. This leads to the accumulation of an acidic byproduct;, , lactate, which contributes to fatigue, inflammation and reduced performance. Its buildup signals that the body is operating near its aerobic limits.
For endurance athletes, one key goal remains the same: to maintain aerobic energy production, thus delaying the point at which this shift occurs in order to sustain performance longer.
Training in Low-Oxygen Conditions
In preparation for the Badwater 135, Frank spent nightly sessions in a hypoxic environment. His body adapted over time in this reduced-oxygen environment and his bone marrow produced more red blood cells (RBCs) to compensate for lower oxygen availability.
The result: at normal oxygen levels, the increased volume of RBCs offered greater oxygen delivery to muscle cells. While not a stand-alone solution, this method complemented his training, nutrition, and recovery strategies.
Even for non-athletes, the concept behind oxygen efficiency has growing relevance. Breathwork practices, cardiovascular conditioning and in many cases, drinking oxygen-infused water are increasingly recognized for their role in overall health, energy levels and longevity.
A Legacy Beyond Athletics
While Frank’s thirteen Badwater 135s are impressive, his story extends far beyond sports. Through his Caring House Project Foundation, he has built thirty-two self-sustaining villages in twenty-three years for desperately poor families in Haiti, where 80% of the population live in poverty. Not only does the Foundation ensure that the villages are self-sufficient, it supplies Haitian schoolchildren with tuition, books, uniforms, shoes and other essentials that make education possible.
You are encouraged to visit www.Frank-McKinney.com and find out how to donate by clicking the Caring House Project tab. You too can create lasting impact, like Frank.
Teri Mathis
