Fear, the most powerful force in our life, is the least understood. Every one of us experiences it. Many arrange their lives to avoid it. Yet nearly every one of us needs to find more fear.

Most of us know fear as the unwanted force that drives phobias, anxieties, unhappiness, and inhibits self-actualization. Ironically, fear is the underlying phenomenon that heightens awareness and optimizes physical performance, and can drive ambition, courage, and success. Harnessing fear can heighten emotional intelligence and bring success to every aspect of your life.

Neuroscience and current research on how the brain processes and uses fear have torn the lid off the possibilities of human performance; yet most people are not reaching their complete potential because of a psychological roadblock Sweeney calls the Fear Frontier. Identifying your Fear Frontier and addressing it, Sweeney illustrates in these pages, is the path to success, happiness and fulfillment in almost all aspects of your life. He also provides the most effective steps toward rewiring your mind for a healthier longer life based on courage.

Fear is Fuel is a practical guide that instructs readers on a unique path toward translating fear into optimal living. By facing fears, and challenging new ones, readers can harness the power of unique motivations to achieve more, experience more, and enjoy more. The path to a fulfilling life is not to avoid fear but to recognize it, understand it, harness it, and unleash its power.

Patrick J. Sweeney II has been dubbed the The Fear Guru for his work with more than 500 global CEOs, professional athletes, Navy SEALs and leading corporations. He inspires tens of thousands of people each year via keynote speeches and at the Fear Institute running executive bootcamps. He shares the latest tools to live the biggest and most fulfilling life possible. He has lectured at leading universities from Harvard Business School,to Stanfords Mind& Body Lab to the University of Virginia. Patrick was the founder and CEO of four technology companies, holds seven patents, has produced award-winning documentary films and is an angel investor in more than 30 start-ups. Before earning a top tier MBA, he placed second in the Olympic Trials in rowing the single scull and is the only person to ever summit and descend Mt. Elbrus, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Everest Base Camp by bicycle and in 2018 won the Race Across America as part of a four-person team. He was the Chairman of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Sports& Entertainment Network, appeared on CNBC, CNN, Good Morning America, and the Today Show. Patrick sits on the board of advisors for Trinity College Dublin. He is a licensed commercial pilot and competes in competitive aerobatics. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts and Chamonix, France with his wife, three children, and two adventurous dogs.

Introduction

Eight Tips to Get the Most Out of This Book

PART I: FEAR

1Fear Fluency

2Forget What You Think

3Fear Tells You About You

4The Root of All Fears

5The Faces of Fear

6Scare Yourself

7The BASE Method

PART II: COURAGE

8The Courage Conundrum

9Share Together or Fear Apart

10The Best Decision Youll Never Make

11Blueprint for Bravery

12Creating a Culture of Courage at Work

13The Big Squeeze

Conclusion: The Value of Courage

Acknowledgments

Notes

Index

About the Author