Steven Kotler
Steven Kotler is a New York Times-bestselling author and award-winning journalist specializing in human performance, neuroscience, and flow states. His notable works include Stealing Fire, The Rise of Superman, and The Art of Impossible. Kotler's research has shaped applied performance science, and his books have been translated into over sixty languages.
Biography & Author's Journey
Steven Kotler was born in Chicago and raised in Cleveland in a lower middle-class Jewish neighborhood, displaying curiosity and creative intensity from an early age. His father began as an accountant, and Kotler’s formative years were shaped by an environment that valued hard work and resilience. He pursued his undergraduate studies in English and Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, before earning a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University. This strong literary foundation launched Kotler into a career at the intersection of journalism, science, and human performance.
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Popular Books
The Rise of Superman
Steven Kotler
Decoding the science of flow states to unlock superhuman performance in extreme sports and everyday life.
Art of Impossible
Steven Kotler
A peak performance primer decoding elite achievers' secrets, offering a blueprint for pushing beyond limits and accomplishing the impossible.
Stealing Fire
Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal
Explore altered states of consciousness to unlock peak performance and revolutionize how we live and work.
Bold
Peter H. Diamandis & Steven Kotler
A radical guide for entrepreneurs to leverage exponential technologies and crowd-powered tools to create extraordinary wealth and global impact.
The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives
Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler
A thrilling exploration of how converging technologies will revolutionize industries and transform our lives in the next decade.
The Rise of Superman
Steven Kotler
Decoding the science of flow states to unlock superhuman performance in extreme sports and everyday life.
Art of Impossible
Steven Kotler
A peak performance primer decoding elite achievers' secrets, offering a blueprint for pushing beyond limits and accomplishing the impossible.
Stealing Fire
Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal
Explore altered states of consciousness to unlock peak performance and revolutionize how we live and work.
Bold
Peter H. Diamandis & Steven Kotler
A radical guide for entrepreneurs to leverage exponential technologies and crowd-powered tools to create extraordinary wealth and global impact.
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Mind, Habits & Human Performance Optimization
Mind, Habits & Human Performance Optimization
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Mastering the Art of Focus and Flow
Mastering the Art of Focus and Flow
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Master Self, Health, Culture & Productivity
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Optimize Fitness, Habits & Self-Improvement
Optimize Fitness, Habits & Self-Improvement
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Bio-Neuro Research for Superhuman Performance
Bio-Neuro Research for Superhuman Performance
This learning plan bridges the gap between cutting-edge neuroscience and practical human optimization. It is essential for high achievers, researchers, and biohackers looking to push the boundaries of cognitive and physical potential through evidence-based cellular science.
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Community Voices
"Steven Kotler is a New York Times-bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and the cofounder and executive director of the Flow Research Collective"
— Simon & Schuster
"Steven Kotler’s books and articles often deal with the intersection of science and culture, focusing on neuroscience, evolutionary theory, and psychology"
— Wikipedia
"Steven Kotler’s book Abundance debuted at #1 on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and was voted one of the Top 5 Must Read Business Books of the Year by Fortune Magazine"
— Wikipedia
"Steven Kotler has written fiction and nonfiction recognized for blending cutting-edge science with compelling storytelling"
— FictionDB
"Steven Kotler is best known for his nonfiction books, including Abundance, A Small Furry Prayer, Bold, The Rise of Superman, and Stealing Fire"
— Wikipedia
"Steven Kotler crafts near-future thrillers exploring the evolution of empathy, praised for both fiction and nonfiction writing"
— FictionDB
"Steven Kotler is the author of eleven bestsellers, including The Art of Impossible, The Future is Faster Than You Think, and Stealing Fire"
— Simon & Schuster
"Steven Kotler’s work has been nominated for three Pulitzer Prizes and translated into over sixty languages"
— Simon & Schuster
"Best-selling author and peak performance expert Steven Kotler decodes the secrets of elite performers in his acclaimed books"
— Audible
"Steven Kotler's book The Rise of Superman explores the flow state through the achievements of adventure athletes and has influenced thinking on human performance"
— Wikipedia
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
