Josh Waitzkin: The Art of Learning & Living Life
from Huberman Lab
by Scicomm Media
Published: Mon Jan 27 2025
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.
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Timestamps
Josh Waitzkin
Chess, Competition & Performance
Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Jiu-Jitsu, Foiling, Training Others
Sponsors: Wealthfront & Our Place
Theory of Mind, Chess, Strategy & Mindset
Early Chess Training
Failure & Change, Chess, Tension, Power of Empty Space
Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv
Grief, Competition Loss, Growth, Frustration Tolerance
Arousal, Frame Rates, Intense Moments
Frame Rates & Pupil Size; Firewalking, Training
Sponsor: Function
Stress & Recovery, Tools: Doing Less, Most Important Question (MIQ)
Tool: Still Body, Active Mind; Shame, Strengthening Weaknesses
Child Prodigies, Brittle; Chess Principles & Transfer to Life
Sponsor: Eight Sleep
Preconscious vs Postconscious
Hypoxic Breathwork Caution & Drowning; Foiling, Fear, Postconscious
Static vs Dynamic Mindset, High Performers
Comebacks, Hunting Adversity, Living on Other Side of Pain, Tool: Cold Plunge
Ego, Identity, Unbreakable Will
Studying People; Chess, Computers; Science & AI; Ocean & Control
Time, Future Direction, True to Self, Wounds
Daily Routine, Individualization, Waking Up, Tool: MIQ Gap Analysis
Tool: MIQ; Stuck Points, Distraction
Reflective vs Stimulus-Response, Optimize Quality not Quantity
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