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"If you want to just thrive through the course of your life, there are certain things you need to do by certain periods... Peak performers, the best of the best, use fear as a compass."

Steven Kotler

May 22, 2023

EFR 709: The Neurobiology of Flow State & How to Achieve Peak Performance at Any Age with Steven Kotler

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Embracing Aging and Pushing Yourself Outside of Your Comfort Zone with Stephen Kotler

Are you ready to redefine your relationship with aging and live a fulfilling life? Look no further than this episode of Ever Forward Radio with author Stephen Kotler. In his book, 'Gnar Country: Growing Old & Staying Rad' Kotler challenges the traditional narrative of aging and encourages us to embrace our age and continue to pursue our passions. His message is empowering and inspiring, and his insights are a reminder that aging is a natural part of life and that we should embrace it rather than fear it.

'Society's obsession with youth is harmful. We need to embrace aging and recognize that we still have a lot to offer.'

One of the key takeaways from the podcast is the importance of pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Kotler emphasizes the need to find your challenge skill sweet spot and to show up every day to push yourself. He believes that this is the key to peak performance and to living a fulfilling life.

Kotler also discusses the importance of group flow activities, especially for those coming out of the military community. He suggests group creative activities and action adventure sports as the best options.

So, how can you apply Kotler's insights to your own life? Start by embracing your age and recognizing that you have a lot to offer. Don't let society's obsession with youth hold you back. Instead, push yourself outside of your comfort zone and find your challenge skill sweet spot. Whether it's through group flow activities or individual pursuits, make sure you show up every day to push yourself.

Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to redefine their relationship with aging and to live a fulfilling life. Kotler's insights are empowering and inspiring, and his message is one that everyone can benefit from. So, if you're looking to stay rad and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, be sure to check out this episode!

Steven Kotler is the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, the world’s leader in neuroscience-based peak performance research and training. He’s the author of several NYT best-selling books, including The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer. 

Follow Steven Kotler @stevenkotler

Follow Chase on Instagram @chase_chewning

Follow him on Twitter @chasechewning

Key Highlights

  • Flow states have 26 known triggers and “flow follows focus”. What does that mean biologically?

  • How to find the challenge/skill sweet spot.

  • How can we get into a flow state more easily?

  • The Biology of Aging: “Getting our biology to work for us, rather than against us”

  • The hidden ways we are ego-driven & How to calm your ego.

  • How our brain chemistry impacts learning, memory, flow, and performance.

  • What shocked Steven the most about the Gnar Country experiment.

  • Why he researched park skiing in relation to flow state.

  • Activities that increase strength, stamina, agility, balance, and flexibility for peak performance aging.

  • Hacks for tapping into flow state to overcome fear.

  • What role does creativity play in growing old and staying rad?

Powerful Quotes by Steven Kotler

We have the best chance to drop into flow when the challenge of the task is about 5% greater than the skills we’re bringing to it.

Peak performers, the best of the best, use fear as a compass.

If you want to just thrive through the course of your life, there are certain things you need to do by certain periods. By age 30, you really sort of need to solve the crisis of identity… By age 40, you sort of need what economists call match fit – a tight link between who you are and what you do with most of your time… By 50, we have to forgive ourselves and we have to forgive others who have done us wrong.

Older adults who experience incredibly powerful emotions live longer and healthier lives… one of the reasons is when we experience very powerful, positive emotions, we boost the number of T cells, which fight disease, and then natural killer cells, which target tumors and other sick cells.

Oddly, one of the biggest drivers of confidence is leg strength.

Episode resources:

Read More

EFR 709: The Neurobiology of Flow State & How to Achieve Peak Performance at Any Age with Steven Kotler

Ever Forward Radio is sponsored by...

Embracing Aging and Pushing Yourself Outside of Your Comfort Zone with Stephen Kotler

Are you ready to redefine your relationship with aging and live a fulfilling life? Look no further than this episode of Ever Forward Radio with author Stephen Kotler. In his book, 'Gnar Country: Growing Old & Staying Rad' Kotler challenges the traditional narrative of aging and encourages us to embrace our age and continue to pursue our passions. His message is empowering and inspiring, and his insights are a reminder that aging is a natural part of life and that we should embrace it rather than fear it.

'Society's obsession with youth is harmful. We need to embrace aging and recognize that we still have a lot to offer.'

One of the key takeaways from the podcast is the importance of pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Kotler emphasizes the need to find your challenge skill sweet spot and to show up every day to push yourself. He believes that this is the key to peak performance and to living a fulfilling life.

Kotler also discusses the importance of group flow activities, especially for those coming out of the military community. He suggests group creative activities and action adventure sports as the best options.

So, how can you apply Kotler's insights to your own life? Start by embracing your age and recognizing that you have a lot to offer. Don't let society's obsession with youth hold you back. Instead, push yourself outside of your comfort zone and find your challenge skill sweet spot. Whether it's through group flow activities or individual pursuits, make sure you show up every day to push yourself.

Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to redefine their relationship with aging and to live a fulfilling life. Kotler's insights are empowering and inspiring, and his message is one that everyone can benefit from. So, if you're looking to stay rad and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, be sure to check out this episode!

Steven Kotler is the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, the world’s leader in neuroscience-based peak performance research and training. He’s the author of several NYT best-selling books, including The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer. 

Follow Steven Kotler @stevenkotler

Follow Chase on Instagram @chase_chewning

Follow him on Twitter @chasechewning

Key Highlights

  • Flow states have 26 known triggers and “flow follows focus”. What does that mean biologically?

  • How to find the challenge/skill sweet spot.

  • How can we get into a flow state more easily?

  • The Biology of Aging: “Getting our biology to work for us, rather than against us”

  • The hidden ways we are ego-driven & How to calm your ego.

  • How our brain chemistry impacts learning, memory, flow, and performance.

  • What shocked Steven the most about the Gnar Country experiment.

  • Why he researched park skiing in relation to flow state.

  • Activities that increase strength, stamina, agility, balance, and flexibility for peak performance aging.

  • Hacks for tapping into flow state to overcome fear.

  • What role does creativity play in growing old and staying rad?

Powerful Quotes by Steven Kotler

We have the best chance to drop into flow when the challenge of the task is about 5% greater than the skills we’re bringing to it.

Peak performers, the best of the best, use fear as a compass.

If you want to just thrive through the course of your life, there are certain things you need to do by certain periods. By age 30, you really sort of need to solve the crisis of identity… By age 40, you sort of need what economists call match fit – a tight link between who you are and what you do with most of your time… By 50, we have to forgive ourselves and we have to forgive others who have done us wrong.

Older adults who experience incredibly powerful emotions live longer and healthier lives… one of the reasons is when we experience very powerful, positive emotions, we boost the number of T cells, which fight disease, and then natural killer cells, which target tumors and other sick cells.

Oddly, one of the biggest drivers of confidence is leg strength.

Episode resources: