Zach Schonbrun

Have you ever wondered what makes top athletes like Stephen Curry, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, and Lionel Messi; as well as musical virtuosos, dancers, rock climbers, race-car drivers, and more so successful? Is it merely an innate genius or a skill that they are born with?

Zach, a successful journalist and popular sports writer, was curious and so found himself on a quest to discover what actually drives human movement and its spectacular potential.

Across all sports, new theories and revolutionary technology are revealing how the brain’s motor control system works including the groundbreaking work of two neuroscientists. In this conversation, I discuss with Zach his research as he travelled the world interviewing experts on motor control.

Guest Bio

Zach Schonbrun has been a contributing writer for The New York Times since 2011, covering primarily sports and business. Six of his articles have appeared on the newspaper’s front page. He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in economics in 2009 and earned a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in 2011. His work has also appeared in ESPN magazine, Newsday, The Washington Post, Yahoo! Sports, VICE, and SB Nation Longform. In January 2015, he published a ten-thousand-word Amazon Kindle Single, One Great Shoe, which was selected as one of the best Kindle Singles of the year. He currently lives in New York City with his wife.

Topics of discussion 

• Zach’s journey into becoming a sports and business journalist.
• The neuroscience behind athletic genius and everyday ability.
• Sports science – environment, fitness, health, repetition and the 10,000-hour rule.
• Skill vs. Habit and how it works.
• Tips on being a successful writer.

Quick round questions

Do you have any routines and rituals that you believe contribute to your success?

Morning coffee and some exercise.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Stay open-minded.

How would you define success? What does success look like to you? 

Through my writing, it’s to help people see things in a different perspective.

What is one tool, skill, resource, or technique that has helped improve your effectiveness and/or productivity? 

Being a self-starter and having good discipline.

What advice would you give someone that needing/wanting to make a change in their life?

That there are no rules.

If I would serve you your last meal what would you request?

Perhaps a good steak cooked medium rare with some mash potatoes and broccoli.

What activity gives you the greatest sense of joy? 

Golf

If you could pick one book to pass down to your children or future generations what book would it be? 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Performance Cortex: How Neuroscience Is Redefining Athletic Genius by Zach Schonbrun

What quote, phrase or message would you text or tweet to everyone in the world?

“Be stupid.”

Do we all have a Hidden Why, a purpose?

Yes, but I think we have multiple purposes.

What does living with passion and purpose mean?

Remembering that it’s not just about me.

What do you believe is the underlying motivation behind everything you do? 

Never being satisfied.

How to connect with Zach 

Zach’s website can be found here. 

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.