The Conflict
A Psychologist's Guide to Endurance
What happens when the desire to stop becomes stronger than the desire to continue?
The Conflict explores one of the fundamental psychological challenges of endurance: the tension between what we want to achieve and what we want to do in any given moment.
Why I wrote The Conflict
The Conflict is a book I've wanted to write for a long time. It's a passion project, built around an idea that has developed through my research, academic work and experience working with endurance athletes.
I've become increasingly interested in the way we approach the psychological challenges of endurance. Much of the advice we're given centres on mental toughness, positive thinking, pushing through discomfort and finding ways to stay motivated. These approaches have their place, but I think they often overlook something fundamental: the conflict between what we want to achieve and what we want to do in any given moment.
It's easy to talk about commitment when we're feeling good and everything is going to plan. It's a different proposition when we're exhausted, uncomfortable, uncertain or questioning why we're doing it. Simply telling ourselves to be tougher or think more positively doesn't necessarily help.
My interest in this subject began during my PhD research and work in a laboratory studying endurance and human performance. It has since developed through my academic work and, importantly, through working directly with individual athletes.
I wanted to bring these experiences together to offer a different way of understanding the psychological demands of endurance. Rather than focusing on eliminating difficult thoughts and feelings or trying to manufacture motivation, the book explores how we respond when what we want to do conflicts with what we want to achieve.
Ultimately, I wrote The Conflict because I think there's a more useful way to approach these challenges, and it's an idea I wanted to put out into the world.
About the book
The Conflict: A Psychologist's Guide to Endurance
Written by Dr Christopher P. Gunn
A practical exploration of the psychological challenges of endurance, drawing on psychological research and applied experience to examine motivation, discomfort, self-control and the decisions we make when things get difficult.
Get your copy
Publication date: 1 December 2026
UK readers can pre-order directly from me through this website for £12.99, including postage and packaging.
You can also purchase the book through Amazon for £9.99 from 1 December.
For international readers, the book will be available through Amazon from 1 December 2026. International pre-orders are not currently available.
Alternatively, find the book on Amazon from 1 December.
