YAPClassic: Steven Kotler, Secrets to Peak Performance in Your 30s, 40s, and Beyond

When Steven Kotler was a kid, he was skinny, klutzy, and often the last guy picked for any team or athletic contest. Steven spent a lot of his childhood losing fights to jocks. At 53 years old, he decided to conquer his past shame and push his own aging body past preconceived limits. In this episode, Steven discusses how to navigate peak performance as we age and how to keep our use-it-or-lose-it skills. He will also dispel myths about the aging brain and give insight on how to always stay young and profiting! 

In this episode, Hala and Steven will discuss: 

(00:00) Introduction

(01:30) Debunking the "Long Slow Rot" Theory

(02:53) Stradivarius and the Myth of Aging

(03:59) "Use It or Lose It": The Secret to Preserving Skills

(05:59) Learning Park Skiing at 53

(06:59) Why Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks

(12:16) Outdoor Challenges That Boost Performance

(15:55) Mastering New Skills at Any Age

(19:00) Social Connections as an Aging Superpower

(23:30) Forgiveness as an Anti-Aging Tool

(29:44) Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence Explained

(33:02) Lessons in Flow from a Dog Sanctuary

(36:21) The Power of Cross-Generational Friendships

(44:26) Lifelong Learning: The Ultimate Advantage

(52:29) What Blue Zones Reveal About Thriving

(58:10) Flow State: Aging’s Greatest Ally

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. Steven is the author of several bestselling books. His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over 50 languages, and has appeared in over 100 publications, including the New York Times Magazine, Wired, Atlantic Monthly, Wall Street Journal, TIME, and the Harvard Business Review. 

Connect with Steven:

Steven’s Website: https://www.stevenkotler.com/

Steven’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-kotler-4305b110/

Steven’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/steven_kotler

Steven’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenkotler/

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Resources Mentioned:

Flow Research Collective Radio: