Young and Profiting (YAP) with Hala Taha

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

Nov 22, 2024

Steven Kotler, a New York Times bestselling author and human performance expert, discusses the secrets to maintaining vitality as we age. He challenges the 'long slow rot' myth, emphasizing that the brain can remain agile with practice. Kotler shares inspiring stories of learning new skills at 53 and the benefits of social connections as an aging superpower. He highlights lifelong learning and outdoor activities as keys to cognitive health, while forgiveness is revealed as an unexpected anti-aging tool.

01:11:33

Episode guests

Steven Kotler

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Dispelling the 'long, slow rot' theory, Steven Kotler emphasizes that cognitive and physical abilities can be maintained and enhanced with engagement.

Maintaining peak performance with age requires regular training in strength, stamina, flexibility, agility, and balance, ideally beginning in early adulthood.

Social connections and engaging in creative activities are vital for cognitive health, as they foster new neural pathways and emotional well-being.

Deep dives

The Myth of Aging Decline

The concept of the 'long, slow rot theory' suggests that our cognitive and physical abilities decline as we age, with little hope of reversing this trend. However, research indicates that this belief is fundamentally flawed, as evidenced by the story of Antonio Stradivarius, who crafted exceptional violins at the age of 92. This revelation spurred interest in understanding the real potential of physical and mental performance at older ages. The key takeaway is that physical and cognitive skills are 'use it or lose it'; by actively engaging with these skills, individuals can maintain and even enhance their abilities well into later life.

Intro

3min

Challenging Aging: Peak Performance Insights

19min

Maximizing Opportunities: From Property Hosting to Course Creation

5min

Peak Performance Aging

20min

Financial Tools and Fitness Insights

6min

Cognitive Health and Lifelong Learning

17min

Harnessing the Science of Peak Performance

2min

The Art of Smart Hard Work

2min

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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