Extreme athletes achieve flow more often than anyone else from "summary" of The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler
In the world of high-risk sports, getting into flow isn't just a possibility, it's a necessity. Extreme athletes like big wave surfers, BASE jumpers, and free solo climbers are constantly pushing the boundaries of human performance, and they do so by tapping into an altered state of consciousness known as flow. This mental state, characterized by complete immersion in the task at hand, is where these athletes find their ultimate potential. Flow is a state of optimal performance where the challenge at hand perfectly matches the athlete's skill level. In this state, the athlete experiences a sense of timelessness, effortlessness, and total focus. It's a moment of pure presence, where every action flows seamlessly into the next. For extreme athletes, flow is not just a pleasant side effect of their sport – it's a crucial component of their success. What sets extreme athletes apart from the rest of us is their ability to consistently access flow states in the most extreme circumstances. When they're riding a massive wave or jumping off a cliff, there's no room for self-doubt or distraction. They have to be fully present in the moment, completely focused on the task at hand. This intense level of concentration allows them to perform at their peak, pushing the limits of what is possible in their sport. Extreme athletes also have a unique relationship with fear – they don't see it as something to be avoided, but rather as a necessary part of the flow experience. By confronting their fears head-on, they are able to transcend them and enter into a state of heightened awareness and clarity. This fearlessness is what allows them to take on challenges that most of us would find impossible. In the end, extreme athletes are masters of flow because they have honed their skills to the point where they can operate at the edge of their abilities without losing control. They have trained their minds and bodies to be in perfect sync, allowing them to access flow states at will. For them, flow is not just a fleeting moment of peak performance – it's a way of life, a constant striving for the next challenge, the next opportunity to push themselves beyond what they thought was possible.
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