Gnar Country

Growing Old, Staying Rad

By: Steven Kotler

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

The New York Times bestselling author and human performance expert tests his knowledge and theories on his own aging body in a quest to become an expert skier at age fifty-three.

Gnar: adjective, short for “gnarly,” def: any environment or situation that is high in perceived risk and high in actual risk.

Country: noun, def: any defined territory, landscape or terrain, fictitious or real.

Cutting-edge discoveries in embodied cognition, flow science, and network neuroscience have revolutionized how we think about peak performance aging. On paper, these discoveries should allow older athletes to progress in supposedly “impossible” activities like park skiing (think: jumps and tricks.) To see if theory worked in practice, Kotler conducted his own ass-on-the-line experiment in applied neuroscience and later-in-life skill acquisition: He tried to teach an old dog some new tricks.

Recently, top pros have been performing well past a previously considered prime: World-class athletes such as Kelly Slater, the greatest surfer of all time, is winning competitions in his fifties; Tom Brady can beat players half his age. But what about the rest of us?

Steven Kotler has been studying human performance for thirty years, and taught hundreds of thousands of people at all skill levels, age groups, and walks of life, how to achieve peak performance. Could his own advice work for him?

Gnar Country is the chronicle of his experience pushing his own aging body past preconceived limits. It’s a book about goals and grit and progression. It’s an antidote for weariness that is inspiring, practical, and, often hilarious. It is about growing old and staying rad. It’s a feverish reading experience that makes you put down the book, get out there, and move. Whether hurtling down a mountain side, running your first 10K race, or taking your career to new heights, Kotler challenges us to test ourselves, surpass our limits, and achieve our own impossible, whatever it might be. Part personal journey, part science experiment, part how-to guide, Kotler takes us on his punk rock, high-velocity joy-ride for a better life in spite—and often in defiance of—the perceived limitations of the aging human body.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

How to overcome aging told from a personal perspective

SK’s personal journey explores how challenging one’s limits can lead to flow, but more importantly, how to counteract the degenerative effect of aging; to not go quietly into the night.

One more reason to stay positive

I must say, I’ve been impressed with Steven’s work for ages now.
This reminiscence of the challenge he served to himself (along with the scientific insights) brought goosebumps to my system. Yep, also inside of my brain cells.
So it is true, once again proved, that age doesn’t mean decline in the common belief. This means having a choice. This means taking ownership of our own life.
Perhaps not for the ski challenge, but I definitely am in for making sure my system is taken care of to live a good, high quality life as long as possible.
Thanks Steve, onward 🔆
Maggs, THiS iS iT.

Flow State infused Storytelling

Loved it and it's instantly one I will re-read often.
There are so many nuances on how to level up aging throughout the book that it's easy to miss from enjoying the storytelling adventure.

Awesome

Simply an awesome follow-up to all his others books, very entertaining and super motivational.

Loved it

Awesome story. This book is instrumental if you’re trying to learn some new sports and you’re over 50.