The fear project : what our most primal emotion taught me about survival, success, surfing . . . and love

An epic adventure full of incredible characters, death-defying athletic achievement, and bleeding edge science, **THE FEAR PROJECT** began with one question: how can we overcome our fears to reach our full potential? Who among us has not been paralyzed by fear? In The Fear Project, award-winning journalist and surfer Jaimal Yogis sets out to better understand fear-why does it so often dominate our lives, what makes it tick, and is there even a way to use it to our advantage? In the process, he plunges readers into great white shark-infested waters, brings them along to surf 40+ foot waves in the dead of winter, and gives them access to some of the world's best neuroscience labs, psychologists, and extreme athletes. In this entertaining, often laugh-out-loud narrative, Yogis also treats himself like a guinea pig for all of his research, pushing his own fears repeatedly to the limits-in his sport, in his life, and in love. Ultimately, Yogis shares with his readers the best strategies to emerge triumphant from even the most paralyzing of fears. **THE FEAR PROJECT** gives readers insight into the following:**- How fear evolved in the human brain****-** **How to tell the difference between "good fear" and "bad fear"****- How to use the latest neuroscience to transform fear memories****-** **Why fear spreads between us and how to counteract fearful "group think"****-** **How to turn fear into a performance enhancer - athletically and at work** In pursuing this terrifying-and often thrilling-journey with Yogis, we learn how to move through fear and unlock a sense of renewed possibility and a more rewarding life. The Author Examines His Own Fears While Exploring The Complicated Spectrum Of Why We Feel Afraid: Fear Of Loss, Fear Of Not Being Good Enough, Fear Of Being Trapped In The Wrong Job, Fear Of Not Being Able To Realize Our Dreams, Fear Of Pain, And Ultimately, Fear Of Our Own Mortality--dust Jacket Flap. How I Got Here -- Of Fright And Courage : A Tale Of Two Brains -- In Praise Of Movement -- Know Your Monsters -- The Good, The Bad, And The Brain -- Practice, Practice, Practice -- Hello Darkness, My Old Friend -- Feel-good Fear -- Investigating The Elephant's Footprint -- The Paradox Of Having A Big Head. Jaimal Yogis. Includes Bibliographical References. Title Page 2 Dedication 3 Contents 4 Introduction 5 Chapter 1: How I Got Here 8 Chapter 2: Of Fright and Courage: A Tale of Two Brains 17 Chapter 3: In Praise of Movement 33 Chapter 4: Know Your Monsters 47 Chapter 5: The Good, the Bad, and the Brain 57 Chapter 6: Practice, Practice, Practice 71 Chapter 7: Hello Darkness, My Old Friend 84 Chapter 8: Feel-Good Fear 94 Chapter 9: Investigating the Elephant’s Footprint 108 Chapter 10: The Paradox of Having a Big Head 119 Acknowledgments 131 Endnotes 134 Copyright 166 Back Cover 167