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Game Changers

Game Changers

What Leaders, Innovators, and Mavericks Do to Win at Life (Bulletproof, 4)
by Dave Asprey 2018 352 pages
4.02
2k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Harness Your Biology: Upgrade Mind and Body for Peak Performance

"Your biology is everything—your body, mind, and even spirit."

Biohacking is key. At its core, biohacking involves changing your environment to gain control over your biology. This includes optimizing your diet, sleep, exercise, and mental state to enhance your performance in all areas of life.

Understand your body's signals. Learn to recognize and interpret the feedback your body provides. This includes monitoring your energy levels, mood, and physical sensations. By becoming attuned to these signals, you can make informed decisions about what your body needs to perform at its best.

Leverage technology. Utilize tools and technologies to track and optimize your biological functions:

  • Heart rate variability (HRV) monitors
  • Sleep trackers
  • Blood glucose monitors
  • Neurofeedback devices

2. Optimize Sleep for Enhanced Cognitive Function and Health

"High-quality sleep is better than more sleep."

Prioritize sleep quality. Focus on improving the quality of your sleep rather than just increasing quantity. This involves:

  • Creating a consistent sleep schedule
  • Optimizing your sleep environment (temperature, darkness, quiet)
  • Avoiding blue light exposure before bedtime

Understand your chronotype. Recognize your natural sleep-wake cycle and work with it rather than against it. This may involve:

  • Adjusting your work schedule to align with your peak productivity hours
  • Planning important tasks during your most alert times of day

Implement sleep hacks. Experiment with various techniques to improve sleep quality:

  • Blackout curtains or sleep masks
  • White noise machines or earplugs
  • Cooling mattress pads or weighted blankets

3. Cultivate Self-Awareness Through Meditation and Altered States

"Meditation creates awareness, and awareness creates choice."

Practice regular meditation. Incorporate a daily meditation practice to increase self-awareness and emotional regulation. This can include:

  • Mindfulness meditation
  • Transcendental meditation
  • Loving-kindness meditation

Explore altered states. Safely experiment with altered states of consciousness to gain new perspectives and insights:

  • Sensory deprivation tanks
  • Breathwork techniques (e.g., holotropic breathing)
  • Psychedelic-assisted therapy (under professional guidance)

Integrate insights. After experiencing altered states, take time to reflect on and integrate any insights gained:

  • Journaling
  • Discussing experiences with a trusted friend or therapist
  • Implementing changes based on newfound awareness

4. Leverage Strategic Movement and Exercise for Optimal Health

"Strong muscles make you smarter and younger."

Focus on functional movement. Prioritize exercises that improve overall mobility and strength:

  • Squats
  • Deadlifts
  • Pull-ups
  • Planks

Incorporate high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of rest can provide significant benefits:

  • Improved cardiovascular health
  • Increased metabolism
  • Enhanced cognitive function

Practice active recovery. Balance intense workouts with gentler forms of movement:

  • Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Walking in nature

5. Nourish Your Body with Nutrient-Dense Foods and Supplements

"You get out what you put in."

Prioritize whole foods. Focus on consuming a variety of nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods:

  • Leafy greens
  • Colorful vegetables and fruits
  • High-quality proteins (grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish)
  • Healthy fats (avocados, nuts, seeds)

Supplement strategically. Use targeted supplements to address specific deficiencies or enhance performance:

  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Vitamin D
  • Magnesium
  • Probiotics

Practice intermittent fasting. Experiment with periodic fasting to promote cellular repair and metabolic flexibility:

  • 16/8 method (16 hours of fasting, 8-hour eating window)
  • 5:2 diet (5 days of normal eating, 2 days of restricted calorie intake)

6. Foster Strong Relationships and Community for Improved Well-being

"Your community is your environment."

Cultivate meaningful connections. Invest time and energy in building and maintaining strong relationships:

  • Family
  • Close friends
  • Mentors and mentees

Engage in community activities. Participate in group activities that align with your values and interests:

  • Volunteer work
  • Sports teams
  • Hobby groups
  • Professional associations

Practice vulnerability and authenticity. Be willing to share your true self with others to deepen connections:

  • Express emotions openly
  • Share personal experiences and challenges
  • Ask for help when needed

7. Practice Gratitude and Forgiveness to Rewire Your Brain

"Gratitude is stronger than fear."

Implement a daily gratitude practice. Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your life:

  • Keep a gratitude journal
  • Share three things you're grateful for with a loved one each day
  • Practice mindful appreciation of everyday experiences

Cultivate forgiveness. Learn to let go of grudges and resentments to free up mental and emotional energy:

  • Practice self-forgiveness for past mistakes
  • Write forgiveness letters (even if unsent) to release negative emotions
  • Reframe past hurts as opportunities for growth and learning

Shift perspective on challenges. Train yourself to find the positive in difficult situations:

  • Ask "What can I learn from this?"
  • Look for potential opportunities in setbacks
  • Practice reframing negative self-talk into more constructive narratives

8. Embrace Nature and Sunlight for Biological Harmony

"Sunlight is a nutrient."

Prioritize outdoor time. Regularly spend time in natural environments:

  • Take walks in parks or forests
  • Practice outdoor meditation or yoga
  • Engage in outdoor recreational activities

Optimize sunlight exposure. Safely soak up sunlight to support vitamin D production and circadian rhythm regulation:

  • Aim for 10-30 minutes of midday sun exposure (without sunscreen) several times a week
  • Use a light therapy box during darker months or if outdoor exposure is limited
  • Synchronize your sleep-wake cycle with natural light patterns

Connect with soil microbiomes. Expose yourself to diverse microbial environments:

  • Garden or work with plants
  • Walk barefoot on natural surfaces
  • Spend time in various outdoor settings (beaches, forests, mountains)

9. Master Your Sexual Energy for Increased Productivity

"Sex is an altered state."

Practice sexual transmutation. Channel sexual energy into creative and productive pursuits:

  • Engage in intense physical exercise
  • Dive deep into creative projects
  • Practice meditation or breathwork to circulate energy

Balance intimacy and abstinence. Experiment with periods of sexual abstinence to harness energy, followed by periods of conscious intimacy:

  • Try the "Taoist equation" for optimal ejaculation frequency
  • Explore tantric practices for energy cultivation
  • Use sexual energy as motivation for personal growth and achievement

Prioritize overall sexual health. Maintain a holistic approach to sexual well-being:

  • Regular exercise and proper nutrition
  • Stress management techniques
  • Open communication with partner(s) about needs and boundaries

10. Utilize Nootropics and Biohacking Tools to Enhance Cognition

"Smart drugs are here to stay."

Explore cognitive enhancers. Carefully research and experiment with nootropics to boost mental performance:

  • Natural options: caffeine, L-theanine, bacopa monnieri
  • Synthetic options: modafinil, piracetam, noopept

Implement technology-assisted cognitive training. Use advanced tools to enhance brain function:

  • Neurofeedback devices
  • Brain-training apps and software
  • Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

Practice responsible usage. Approach cognitive enhancement with caution and mindfulness:

  • Start with low doses and carefully monitor effects
  • Cycle on and off to prevent tolerance
  • Consult with healthcare professionals before trying new substances or techniques

Last updated:

Review Summary

4.02 out of 5
Average of 2k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Game Changers receives mixed reviews. Many readers appreciate the practical advice on biohacking, productivity, and self-improvement, finding it inspirational and potentially life-changing. The book's structure, with summaries and action steps, is praised for its accessibility. However, some criticize it for rehashing common self-help concepts, promoting questionable pseudoscience, and excessive self-promotion. While some find the diverse range of topics intriguing, others feel it lacks focus. The book's recommendations on diet, sleep, and gratitude are generally well-received, but advice on drugs and extreme practices is more controversial.

Your rating:

About the Author

Dave Asprey is a prominent figure in the biohacking movement, known for his self-experimentation and entrepreneurial ventures. He claims to have significantly improved his health, intelligence, and physique through various unconventional methods. Asprey's background includes work in Silicon Valley as an investor and computer security expert. He has authored several books on biohacking and health optimization, including the popular "Bulletproof" series. Asprey's work has garnered attention from major media outlets, and he has presented at prestigious institutions. His approach to personal improvement combines technology, nutrition, and alternative health practices, often pushing the boundaries of conventional wisdom.

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