Show notes
In this episode, my guest is Josh Waitzkin, former child chess prodigy and the subject of the movie and true story Searching for Bobby Fischer. Josh is also a world champion martial arts competitor and the author of the book The Art of Learning. We discuss Josh’s childhood as a chess prodigy and how he learned to train and compete at the highest levels by facing his fears and overcoming points of weakness. He explains the principles that unify disparate physical and mental pursuits and how understanding the interconnectedness of the learning process enables ultra-high-level performance across disciplines.We explore how to structure one’s day to tap into the most creative, generative, and unique capabilities. Josh shares his approach to learning, including how to address flaws and mistakes and how to harness the subtle and overt energies of the learning and peak performance process. He also discusses how he structures his life and makes decisions related to career and family. This episode is sure to inspire deep thinking and practical life changes for all who listen.Read the full episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/hubermanWealthfront**: https://wealthfront.com/hubermanOur Place: https://fromourplace.com/hubermanJoovv: https://joovv.com/hubermanFunction: https://functionhealth.com/hubermanEight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman**This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27, 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer.Timestamps00:00:00 Josh Waitzkin00:03:21 Chess, Competition & Performance00:10:50 Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Jiu-Jitsu, Foiling, Training Others00:14:41 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Our Place00:17:43 Theory of Mind, Chess, Strategy & Mindset00:26:39 Early Chess Training00:32:30 Failure & Change, Chess, Tension, Power of Empty Space00:43:22 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv00:48:06 Grief, Competition Loss, Growth, Frustration Tolerance00:57:22 Arousal, Frame Rates, Intense Moments01:06:17 Frame Rates & Pupil Size; Firewalking, Training01:13:12 Sponsor: Function01:15:58 Stress & Recovery, Tools: Doing Less, Most Important Question (MIQ)01:23:24 Tool: Still Body, Active Mind; Shame, Strengthening Weaknesses01:32:02 Child Prodigies, Brittle; Chess Principles & Transfer to Life01:43:22 Sponsor: Eight Sleep01:44:48 Preconscious vs Postconscious01:52:02 Hypoxic Breathwork Caution & Drowning; Foiling, Fear, Postconscious01:57:05 Static vs Dynamic Mindset, High Performers02:05:48 Comebacks, Hunting Adversity, Living on Other Side of Pain, Tool: Cold Plunge02:19:20 Ego, Identity, Unbreakable Will02:29:18 Studying People; Chess, Computers; Science & AI; Ocean & Control02:40:37 Time, Future Direction, True to Self, Wounds02:51:07 Daily Routine, Individualization, Waking Up, Tool: MIQ Gap Analysis03:00:21 Tool: MIQ; Stuck Points, Distraction03:05:58 Reflective vs Stimulus-Response, Optimize Quality not Quantity03:14:12 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Protocols Book, Neural Network NewsletterDisclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
