Unashamedly Superhuman

Unashamedly Superhuman Plot Summary

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to tap into extraordinary abilities when faced with challenging situations? We've all heard stories of mothers lifting cars to save their children, or athletes finding that "second wind" to break through records. These moments of superhuman capability aren't reserved for a special few—they exist within all of us. The truth is that combining high performance with well-being isn't just possible; it's actually our natural state when we unlock our innate resources. Throughout these pages, you'll discover how to harness your inner power through proven strategies that activate your potential, optimize your mindset, and strengthen your physiology. This journey isn't about superhero fiction; it's about revealing the super natural abilities you already possess and learning to access them at will.

Chapter 1: Embrace Your Inner Power

Superhuman capability isn't reserved for comic book heroes. The term "superhuman" simply refers to enhanced qualities and abilities that exceed what we normally experience—qualities that can be accessed through self-actualization or by tapping into resources we already possess but rarely use. Jim Steele, exhausted from career pressures and recovering from multiple surgeries, decided to test this concept by setting an outrageous goal: completing an IRONMAN triathlon despite having titanium rods in his spine and a history of knee surgeries. His doctors had advised him to limit exercise to walking and swimming. Yet something inside told him more was possible. "I may have started typing Unashamedly Superhuman a year ago," Jim writes, "but it really started in 1992. Becoming a father inspired the need in me to try to work this stuff out." His journey wasn't about proving athletic prowess but about discovering what humans are truly capable of when properly motivated and equipped with the right strategies. The transformation wasn't merely physical. While Jim's external appearance changed only modestly over the 30 months of training, his internal systems underwent remarkable development. His respiratory and cardiovascular systems, joint health, and mental resilience all dramatically improved. After 12.5 hours and 140.6 miles of swimming, biking, and running, he was barely out of breath and totally pain-free. The key insight from Jim's experience is that combining high performance and well-being is fundamentally about skillful energy management. We all have built-in resources that, when properly harnessed, can immediately elevate our performance to extraordinary levels. This isn't about supernatural powers but about accessing our natural capabilities that evolution has already equipped us with. Becoming Unashamedly Superhuman starts with accepting that there's more to you than you currently access. The first step is to recognize that gap between your current performance and your full potential, then systematically close it through proven strategies.

Chapter 2: Master Your Stress Response

Stress has gotten a bad reputation in our society. Most public health messages consistently tell us that stress is harmful to our health, productivity, relationships, and cognition. But what if this common understanding is incomplete? What if stress, properly harnessed, could actually enhance our capabilities? Dr. Alia Crum from Stanford University designed a measure to test people's mindsets about stress. She asked questions like: "To what extent do you agree or disagree with statements like 'Stress enhances my performance and productivity,' or 'Stress heightens my vitality and growth?'" Her research showed that people with a "stress-enhancing mindset" experienced better health outcomes, higher well-being, and improved performance compared to those with a "stress-debilitating mindset." In one striking study, Crum worked with financial services employees at UBS during the 2008 financial crisis. The company was undergoing massive layoffs, creating intense workplace stress. Some employees watched videos emphasizing how stress enhances performance, while others watched videos about stress being debilitating. Those who watched the enhancing films reported fewer physical symptoms like backaches, muscle tension, and insomnia. They also reported performing better at work. The research extended to elite performers as well. When Navy SEAL recruits completed questionnaires revealing their stress mindset at the beginning of their notoriously difficult training program, researchers could predict who would pass and who wouldn't. Those with the stress-enhancing mindset were more likely to complete training, had faster obstacle course times, and were rated more positively by their peers. The key difference lies in how we respond to stress. Those with a stress-debilitating mindset tend to either "freak out" (overreact) or "check out" (deny the problem). Those with a stress-enhancing mindset ask: "How can I utilize this stress to achieve my goals?" They see stress as a focusing mechanism that helps them perform at their peak. To adopt a stress-enhancing mindset yourself, follow these three steps: First, acknowledge that you're stressed and own it. Second, welcome it as an opportunity to reconnect with what you care about. Third, utilize the stress response to achieve the thing you care about rather than wasting energy trying to eliminate the stress.

Chapter 3: Flow Through Challenges

Have you ever been so absorbed in an activity that time seemed to disappear? Perhaps while skiing down a slope, delivering a presentation, or engaging in a creative project? This state—often called "being in the zone"—is technically known as flow, and it represents one of our most powerful superhuman capabilities. Steven Kotler, a leading authority on flow states, describes it as a state where your actions feel automatic, your sense of self disappears, your perception of time alters, and you experience a powerful sense of control. When in flow, your brain releases a potent cocktail of neurochemicals: dopamine (focus and motivation), norepinephrine (neural efficiency), endorphins (pain blocking), anandamide (creative connections), and serotonin (wellbeing). A study by McKinsey found that executives reported being five times more productive at their peak performance than on average days. Forbes magazine noted that flow state percentage is "the number one management metric you need to know," while Fast Company called it "the holy grail for any manager." Jim Steele experienced this firsthand during his IRONMAN triathlon. From the moment he put on his swimming goggles to start the 2.4-mile swim leg, through the 112-mile bike ride, and finally during the 26.2-mile marathon run—a total of 12.5 hours—he maintained various levels of flow. This wasn't accidental; he had planned for it by ensuring the right conditions were in place. To access flow reliably, you need to understand its triggers. External triggers include high consequence (meaningful stakes), novelty (new experiences), complexity (challenging problems), and unpredictability (adaptability required). Internal triggers include clear goals (knowing exactly what you're doing), unambiguous feedback (immediate results), the right challenge/skill balance (stretching but not snapping), concentration (focused attention), and passion (intrinsic motivation). The golden rule of flow is simple: flow follows focus. When you direct your attention toward something challenging yet achievable, your brain automatically shifts into this optimal performance state. The key is finding the right balance—too little challenge creates boredom, while too much creates anxiety. The sweet spot lies just beyond your comfort zone.

Chapter 4: Build Unbreakable Habits

"Starting next Monday, I will run three times a week, inject some cold into my daily shower, and only eat toast on the weekend." We've all made similar declarations, yet forming new and empowering habits often proves easier said than done. What if there was a fail-safe process for forging winning habits that produce superhuman results? The process begins with understanding the pain-pleasure principle. Jim uses the example of washing a cereal bowl—it's far easier to rinse it immediately after use than to tackle the dried-on flakes later. Similarly, with habits, we must consciously control the pain-pleasure balance. This means associating enough pain with not changing and enough pleasure with the new behavior to make the change inevitable. Take the classic New Year's resolution to lose weight through exercise. If you primarily associate pain with working out, you'll start enthusiastically but likely abandon the habit within weeks. The key is to flip your associations by deeply connecting to both the consequences of inaction and the benefits of action. What do you stand to lose if you don't develop this habit? What will you gain when you do? Jim shares a particularly powerful habit-stacking approach that aligns emotion, logic, and brain chemistry. First, divide your day into two phases: zero to eight hours after waking and nine to fourteen hours after waking. During the first phase, your brain naturally produces more dopamine and adrenaline, making it easier to tackle activities with high emotional friction (like strenuous exercise or cold showers). The second phase has less dopamine and more serotonin, making it better suited for activities requiring less willpower. To implement this system, write down five habits you want to develop and commit to performing them over 21 days. The expectation is that you'll complete three or four each day—building in permission to occasionally miss one without feeling like you've failed. Break the process into three-day sets for manageable chunks. After 21 days, evaluate which habits have become automatic parts of your routine. One of Jim's clients used this approach to transform her morning routine. She placed her exercise clothes next to her bed and prepared her protein shake the night before to remove friction. She scheduled her most challenging workout (HIIT training) for 7 a.m. when her brain chemistry supported difficult activities, and reserved her language learning app for the evening when she needed less willpower. Within three weeks, both activities had become automatic parts of her day. This approach works because it doesn't just focus on willpower—it strategically aligns your environment, emotional associations, and natural brain chemistry to make habit formation significantly easier and more sustainable.

Chapter 5: Activate Physiological Strength

Our physiological capabilities often remain largely untapped until we're forced to access them in extreme situations. What if you could deliberately activate these reserves to perform at your peak on demand? This is precisely what Jim discovered through his exploration of breathing techniques, cold exposure, and other physiological "hacks." Wim Hof, known as "The Iceman," has demonstrated extraordinary abilities to withstand extreme cold—swimming under ice for 217 feet, running a barefoot half-marathon above the Arctic Circle in shorts, and climbing Mount Everest wearing only boots and shorts. Scientists initially thought Hof possessed unique, freakish abilities. However, when researchers at Radboud University tested whether his methods could be taught to others, they made a groundbreaking discovery. In a controlled study, one group practiced Wim's breathing technique for 15 minutes while a control group did nothing. Both groups were then injected with E. coli bacteria. The control group experienced the expected symptoms—fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Remarkably, the breathwork group showed no symptoms whatsoever. This study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrated that anyone could voluntarily influence their autonomic nervous system through specific techniques. The Wim Hof Method consists of two simple components: a breathing protocol and cold exposure. The breathing technique involves taking 30 full, deep breaths in succession, followed by a breath hold after exhaling. This pattern triggers a release of adrenaline that activates the immune system and creates a state of heightened alertness and control. The cold exposure—which can be as simple as ending your shower with 15-30 seconds of cold water—produces a similar effect while also stimulating the production of brown adipose tissue, reducing inflammation, and releasing mood-enhancing chemicals. Jim incorporated both practices into his daily routine and credits them as major factors in his successful IRONMAN completion. "Above all else," he writes, "I believe the conditioning effect it had on my respiratory system was responsible, more than any other single factor, for the successful completion of the triathlon. To push myself for more than 12 hours straight and not be out of breath at any point, still blows my mind." These physiological techniques aren't just for extreme athletes. Executives report using the breathing protocol before important presentations to achieve a calm, focused state. Others use cold exposure to boost their energy and mood at the start of demanding workdays. The beauty of these approaches is their accessibility—they require no special equipment, cost nothing to implement, and produce immediately noticeable results.

Chapter 6: Recover Like a Champion

"By replacing your morning coffee with green tea, you can lose up to 87 percent of what little joy you still have left in your life." This humorous quote highlights our reluctance to change comfortable habits, even when evidence suggests alternatives might better serve our performance and wellbeing. Jim discovered the importance of recovery through his Whoop strap, a fitness tracking device that measures recovery status. One morning, despite feeling ready for an intense training day, his recovery score registered at just 12 percent. Confused, he checked the previous day's activities—he hadn't exercised at all, yet his body showed extreme fatigue. Then he realized he had delivered two conference speeches. Though physically stationary, his heart rate had run at over 100 beats per minute throughout both presentations—equivalent to a two-hour run. This revelation transformed his understanding of energy management. Any situation combining importance, uncertainty, and judgment—whether a speech, a crucial meeting, or a difficult conversation—creates a high-pressure state that drains our resources. Our sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) is always ready to activate, but switching to the restorative parasympathetic system requires conscious effort. Recovery, paradoxically, takes work! Jim interviewed a panel of high performers about their recovery strategies. Phil Jones, Managing Director of tech firm Brother, shared his DESK policy: diet, exercise, sleep, and kindness to self. Kate Richardson-Walsh, Olympic gold-medal winning field hockey captain, explained how her team built recovery into their schedule with "give back to yourself" days. Fighter pilot Mandy Hickson emphasized the importance of "delineating weekdays and weekends" to prevent work from consuming all available time. The panel agreed that recovery isn't a luxury but a critical performance strategy. Phil Jones explained: "As I was going through my career it had all been about working all the hours God gave, but there came a point when I realized that was only getting me so far. I had an interest in bridging over to become a senior executive and I realized that you can only rev so far before you rev out." The most effective recovery approaches combine both active recovery (restorative activities like walking in nature, meditation, or breathwork) and micro recovery (quick reset techniques between demanding tasks). One powerful micro recovery technique is the physiological sigh—a double inhale followed by a long exhale that rapidly calms the nervous system. Another is the peripheral vision exercise, where you fix your gaze on a point and gradually expand your awareness to everything in your peripheral vision, naturally activating the parasympathetic system. The oscillation model suggests alternating periods of intense focus with short recovery breaks throughout the day—planning decompression time between productive activities. This approach maintains high performance while preventing burnout, allowing you to bring your best self to each task.

Chapter 7: Transform Your Identity

The Empire Pool in Cardiff, Wales had five diving boards of increasing height. Ten-year-old Jim had mastered the one-meter and three-meter springboards but viewed the higher platforms with trepidation. When one of his friends bravely dove from the five-meter platform, Jim felt compelled to follow—but found himself frozen in the "consideration position," sitting at the edge unable to jump. For weeks, he visited the pool only to sit paralyzed by fear, imagining terrible outcomes. Then one day, something changed. He jumped. And not only did he jump once, but he immediately went back up and dove again without hesitation. What had been nearly impossible moments before was now effortless. Soon he was attempting increasingly difficult dives, and before long, he moved up to the next platform. The most interesting part of this story isn't about conquering fear, but what happened afterward. Once Jim had mastered the five-meter platform, he never returned to the three-meter board. Why? Because he had become a "fifth-boarder," and fifth-boarders dive from fifth boards. His identity had shifted, and his behavior automatically aligned with this new self-perception. This identity principle explains why sustainable change is so difficult to achieve through willpower alone. We never outperform our identity—the behaviors we adopt, the goals we set, and the company we keep are all shaped by who we believe ourselves to be. The most effective way to create lasting change is to align our identity with our aspirations rather than our past achievements. High-performing teams demonstrate this principle magnificently. When interviewing Kate Richardson-Walsh about what separated champion teams from merely talented groups of individuals, she explained: "Even though we had mission statements and goals, and there may even have been a sense of alignment, it's the weaving of all of that into the fabric of who we are that makes the difference. A team may have a vision with goals and declared values, but do they know what that means, day to day? Does every single person feel empowered to drive it, to own it?" When a team's identity becomes stronger than any individual, members naturally act in alignment with that shared identity. They don't need constant motivation or micromanagement because their behaviors flow naturally from who they believe themselves to be. High-performing teams do high-performing things because that's simply "their thing." This principle applies equally to individuals. When struggling with writing this book, Jim confronted his own identity limitations. With only one passing grade in his school exams and a U (unclassified) in English Literature, the idea of becoming an author seemed impossible. To overcome this barrier, he placed a Post-it note on his laptop declaring "I am an author" before he had written a single chapter. By gradually embracing this new identity, the writing process transformed from a dreaded task into a natural expression of who he was becoming.

Summary

Throughout these chapters, we've explored how to tap into the extraordinary capabilities that lie dormant within us all. The journey to becoming Unashamedly Superhuman isn't about acquiring new powers but about accessing what's already there—becoming better by tapping into potential, smarter by optimizing mindset, and stronger by enhancing physiology. As Jim Steele powerfully reminds us: "We all have superpowers and these powers open the door to the more that we all seek." Your ability to adapt to stress, enter flow states, build unbreakable habits, activate physiological strength, recover strategically, and transform your identity are not fictional abilities—they are your birthright as a human being. Today, choose one technique from this journey that resonated most deeply with you and commit to implementing it for just seven days. Whether it's the breathing protocol, a recovery practice, or simply declaring a new identity statement that aligns with your aspirations, take that first step toward becoming your own version of Unashamedly Superhuman.

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Jim Steele

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