Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal – Paperback

Unlock Peak Performance and Altered States with Stealing Fire – The Science Behind Flow and Human Optimization

About the Book

Stealing Fire takes you inside the underground revolution happening at the intersection of neuroscience, technology, and human consciousness. Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal expose how today’s leaders—from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to Special Forces operators—are using altered states to solve complex problems, accelerate learning, and achieve unprecedented levels of performance. This isn’t pseudoscience or wishful thinking. It’s a data-driven exploration of how we can systematically access “non-ordinary” states that amplify creativity, cooperation, and innovation.

The book bridges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge neuroscience, revealing a four-trillion-dollar underground economy built around techniques that optimize consciousness. You’ll discover why tech titans meditate, why military units practice breathing techniques before missions, and how flow states can be triggered on demand rather than left to chance.

From the Back Cover

What do Navy SEALs, world-class athletes, and Silicon Valley billionaires have in common? They’ve all found ways to hack their biology and access extraordinary states of consciousness—and now you can too.

About the Author

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author and expert on peak performance and flow science. As Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, he’s dedicated decades to studying how humans can achieve optimal states. Jamie Wheal is the founding partner of the Flow Genome Project and a leading authority on human performance innovation. Together, they’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies, elite athletes, and military operators to unlock human potential through evidence-based methods. Their research combines neuroscience, psychology, and real-world application to make peak performance accessible.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is essential reading for entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals who want to gain a competitive edge through enhanced focus and creativity. It’s perfect for athletes, coaches, and anyone interested in optimizing mental and physical performance. If you’re curious about consciousness, neuroscience, and the future of human potential—or if you simply want practical techniques to perform at your best when it matters most—Stealing Fire offers both the science and the roadmap you need.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the main concept behind Stealing Fire?
The book explores how elite performers use altered states of consciousness—like flow, meditation, and other techniques—to unlock peak performance, creativity, and problem-solving abilities through neuroscience-backed methods.

Q: Is Stealing Fire based on scientific research or personal opinion?
It’s grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and extensive research. The authors combine academic studies with real-world examples from Navy SEALs, Silicon Valley leaders, and peak performers across industries.

Q: Can beginners apply the techniques from Stealing Fire?
Absolutely. While the book references elite performers, it provides practical, accessible techniques anyone can use—including breathing exercises, meditation practices, and environmental design strategies to trigger flow states.

Q: How does Stealing Fire relate to productivity and business performance?
The book reveals how accessing flow states can boost productivity by up to 500%, enhance team collaboration, accelerate learning, and improve decision-making—making it invaluable for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Q: What makes this book different from other self-improvement books?
Unlike motivational books, Stealing Fire is rooted in hard science and real-world application. It exposes what elite organizations actually do—not just what sounds inspiring—and provides a clear framework based on neurochemistry and proven results