Many people grew up believing intelligence is something you’re born with. Either you’re the next Einstein or Rick Rubin… or you’re not. If you don’t fit the mold of the “great” and “naturally gifted,” you must not really get how things work.
Well… that’s a lie. A lie we keep telling ourselves, over and over. Because somewhere along the way, we’ve let it quietly shape our ambition and determine who’s worthy of success and who should stay on the sidelines.
Thankfully, the triarchic theory of intelligence challenges this premise. And it helps prove that IQ test scores alone can’t determine smartness.
Who developed the triarchic theory of intelligence, and why?
This riveting theory exists all thanks to psychologist and psychometrician Robert J. Sternberg. Throughout his career, he was fascinated by how people think, learn, and solve problems in real life, far beyond classroom performance.
He knew this… because he experienced life outside the box firsthand. In his book, Successful Intelligence (1997), Robert shared how he struggled with severe test anxiety in his early academic life.
That curiosity? It led him to question traditional intelligence tests at the time, which were the status quo in his field. Built by earlier researchers, those measures tended to favor speed, memorization, and narrow forms of reasoning.
Now, insightful as these IQ tests were, they also left much of human capability invisible. To Robert, people seemed to exercise the might of their minds in many other forms in real-world situations beyond what those tests could measure.
“Intelligence means a somewhat different thing to each individual,” he writes in “The Theory of Successful Intelligence,” a study he published in the Interamerican Journal of Psychology, years after creating the triarchic theory of intelligence.
“The individual who wishes to become a Supreme Court judge,” he continued, “will be taking a different path from the individual who wishes to become a distinguished novelist—but both will have formulated a set of coherent goals toward which to work.”
What is Stenberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence?
In Sternberg’s view, intelligence is dynamic and situational, shaped by how you respond to real-life problems. And it wears three “faces”:
- Analytical intelligence: The problem-solving, logic, and reasoning skills that help you break down complex ideas and make calculated decisions. They show up whenever you compare job offers, spot flaws in an argument, or map out a step-by-step plan.
- Creative intelligence: Your ability to generate fresh ideas and approach challenges in innovative ways. Like the last time you hit a mental block in a project, and you borrowed an idea or tool from another team in another field.
- Practical intelligence: It’s the street smarts that help you adapt and navigate everyday situations—office dynamics, salary negotiations, on-the-fly adjustments around crises—so the life outcomes you want eventually materialize.
The problem with older intelligence theories is that they often don’t account for this range. Reflecting on this gap in the same 2005 study, Robert writes, “Our societies can create closed systems that advantage only certain types of children and that disadvantage other types.”
Those excelling in memory and analytical abilities could “do well”; those who thrive in other abilities would “fail.” As a result, the latter group, he says, “may end up doing poorly on the tests and find the doors shut.”
But once you understand how intelligence truly works, it’s easier to move away from self-limiting labels towards the right paths of actual self-development.
This view aligns with many modern thinkers in the education space, including brain coach Jim Kwik, who’s helped everyone from Forbes 500 entrepreneurs to Hollywood A-listers. What he’s seen in his career proves that intelligence is not fixed.
Which is why, in his Mindvalley program, Superbrain, he says, “You could do so much more than you realize that you’re capable of.”
Steinberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence vs. other theories
Score high on a test? Wow, you’re labeled a genius. But hit low, and you were deemed average… or worse.
This was how things were done to measure intelligence, well before Sternberg and other modern researchers entered the scene with their unique theories of intelligence.
Well, thankfully they did. Because, turns out, they were all on the ball with their hunch. A study published in Real Developmental Science reveals that IQ scores are not enough for predicting real-world performance, including how people work, lead, and adapt to complex environments.
And here’s where the differences between these intelligence theories start to matter: Some would focus on what can be measured quickly on paper, while others look at how people learn, create, and function in real life.
Each has its own merit and place. Here’s how Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence stacks up against other major views on intelligence.
| Theory | Developer | Core idea | Sternberg’s take |
| Spearman’s general intelligence (g-factor) | Charles Spearman (1904) | 1. One general ability Intelligence can be measured as a single factor 2. Strength in one cognitive area predicts strength in others | 1. Too narrow for real life Logical problem-solving matters 2. Success also depends on creativity and adaptability 3. IQ tests tend to miss how intelligence shows up outside exams |
| Multiple intelligences | Howard Gardner (1983) | 1. There are different ways of being smart 2. There are eight forms of intelligence: musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, logical-mathematical, and linguistic | 1. Talents aren’t intelligence 2. Skills reflect what you can do 3. Intelligence is the capacity that shapes how you think, create, and apply these skills, and refine your talents with them |
| The grit theory | Angela Duckworth (2007) | 1. Persistence drives success 2. Passion and perseverance, not just raw intelligence, are the biggest predictors of success 3. Those who keep going, despite setbacks, go the furthest | 1. Effort always needs direction 2. Hard work is fruitful when paired with sound judgment 3. Intelligence guides you when to adapt, shift strategy, and make smarter moves |
So, who got it right?
Well, they all did… in different ways.
Charles Spearman was among the first to propose that intelligence is a unified construct worthy of observation and scientific inquiry. He believed intelligence could be measured as a single general ability, often referred to as g. Even if we now know that intelligence is far more flexible than his model allowed, his work opened the door for the conversation to exist at all.
Decades later, Harvard developmental psychologist Howard Gardner expanded that conversation. In his book, Frames of Mind (1983), he actively challenged the idea that being “smart” could be reduced to one score. His broader, more human view of capability widened the lens enough for Sternberg to come in and rethink how people actually use it.
Years down the line, Angela Duckworth added another piece to the puzzle with her take on grit. As a psychologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, she discovered that persistence and long-term effort play a major role in success, even when raw ability levels differ.
Together, these ideas shaped a more complete picture of intelligence, one that values how people think, adapt, and keep going when challenges show up.
The intelligence revolution: Why it matters today
Focus on only one type of intelligence, and you leave serious, multi-faceted potential on the table. In today’s world, that’s a risk you can’t afford to take.
The career paths you grew up believing in, for one? They’re vanishing faster than you can say job security. A McKinsey report predicts that AI could replace 30% of hours worked in the U.S. economy by 2030. Meanwhile, the gig economy is exploding; according to the World Economic Forum, it’s expected to skyrocket from $556.7 billion in 2024 to $1.8 trillion by 2032.
Ergo, the old idea of mastering one skill and climbing a single ladder is fading. What replaces it rewards people who stay ahead by combining technical know-how with imagination, judgment, and social awareness.
Like Steven Bartlett. At Mindvalley’s Future Human event, the British-Nigerian entrepreneur and host of The Diary of A CEO podcast attributed his multi-million-dollar career to skill-stacking different abilities in business development, storytelling, and social media marketing. “I had to remain anchored to the fact that I’m nothing,” he shared, “and I can be everything.”
His career reflects the core truth of Sternberg’s model: you can succeed not just by knowing things, but by thinking, creating, and applying knowledge at the highest level.
Your memory is not fixed. Your ability to focus is not fixed. Your intelligence is not fixed.
— Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain program
Analytical intelligence: The power of logic and reasoning
People with analytical intelligence tend to pick problems apart, piece by piece, until the pattern clicks. This kind of thinking shows up when they’re troubleshooting a system, weighing trade-offs, or mapping out a strategy that survives endless scrutiny.
In history, these folks have been…
- Albert Einstein. This “mad scientist” rewrote the laws of physics with his theory of relativity, proving that space and time weren’t fixed concepts but could bend and stretch.
- Stephen Hawking. He used pure logic to decode the mysteries of black holes, crafting some of the most influential scientific theories without ever writing on a chalkboard himself.
- Ada Lovelace. As the first-ever programmer, she envisioned the first computer algorithm in the 1800s, predicting the power of programming long before the modern digital age.
- Marie Curie. She’s the two-time Nobel Prize winner who pioneered research on radioactivity, proving that scientific breakthroughs happen when logic meets relentless curiosity.
- Alan Turing. The cryptography genius who cracked the Nazi Enigma code, shortening World War II and laying the foundation for modern computing.
What these figures achieved was undeniably monumental and historical. But before you beat yourself up for not operating on that scale, it’s worth remembering that they’re statistical outliers, each working in a narrow field where analytical intelligence was the primary currency.
How to strengthen analytical intelligence (without getting stuck in theory mode)
So, if you’re the analytical type and you want to further sharpen your inner strategist, here’s what you can do:
- Question everything. Don’t take things at face value. Always analyze motives, dig into data, and look for bias.
- Play strategy games. Chess, poker, and puzzle-solving video games help you master the art of staying multiple steps ahead.
- Debate and defend your ideas. Engage in deep discussions where you’re forced to back up your thoughts. It’s the best way to sharpen your gift of the gab, especially in times when you need to reason on the go.
- Solve real-world problems. Theory is nice, but real intelligence comes from applying what you know. Find ways to use logic in everyday decision-making.
Being analytical means more than just absorbing information. It’s ultimately about knowing when to question, when to strategize, and when to act.
Creative intelligence: Thinking outside of the box
Creative intelligence is what separates the innovators from the imitators. Yet it’s also the most undervalued form of intelligence in traditional education.
Schools don’t test for it, and society doesn’t always recognize it… until someone disrupts an industry, builds a game-changing brand, or launches an idea the world didn’t know it needed.
Below are examples of leaders who have mastered it and, as such, rewritten the rules of the world through their legacies:
- Vishen. The ex-Silicon Valley engineer who disrupted traditional education with Mindvalley, merging tech, neuroscience, and personal growth into a revolutionary learning platform.
- Steven Bartlett. The former college dropout turned his popular podcast into a global podcast empire, proving that creativity thrives when you combine skills and leverage varying avenues for potential.
- Sophia Amoruso. This serial entrepreneur built Nasty Gal, Girlboss, and Business Class from the ground up, using sharp storytelling and “street-smart” business instincts. As a result, she redefined entrepreneurship for a new generation.
- Vitalik Buterin. The mastermind behind Ethereum reimagined what blockchain could do beyond Bitcoin, sparking a decentralized revolution in finance, art, and digital ownership.
- Beyoncé. She reinvented the music industry by controlling her narrative, dropping surprise albums, and merging artistry with business. The results? New creative and financial standards for those following in her footsteps.
As their stories illustrate, creative intelligence comes from combining skills, spotting patterns early, and choosing to build something new instead of following what already exists.
And fortunately, it’s a skill you, too, can sharpen like a knife.
How to strengthen creative intelligence
The best innovators train their brains to see patterns, challenge norms, and create solutions where others see roadblocks. In other words? They always adopt the beginner’s mindset, most naturally seen in the youngest in society.
“Children can learn a language; they can learn musical instruments,” Jim points out. “And they can learn it fast.”
Take his words as a sign to reconnect with your inner child and rev up your creative streak by:
- Exposing yourself to more ideas. Creativity thrives on variety. Read those “weird” books, watch thought-provoking podcasts and documentaries, and research the best use cases in different industries.
- Asking better questions. Instead of accepting things as they are, challenge them. How could this be done differently? What’s missing?
- Experimenting constantly. Try new skills, test ideas, and put things into action. Creativity happens when you stop overthinking and start doing.
- Surrounding yourself with fellow bold thinkers. Being around creative minds pushes you to think bigger and take smarter risks.
When in doubt, remember that creativity is ultimately what you discover, well beyond the confines of what’s known to society in various forms of “school,” from actual classrooms to conferences.
Like Jim reminds us all, “Don’t let school get in the way of your education.”
Practical intelligence: street smarts and adaptability
While analytical intelligence helps you think things through and creative intelligence fuels new ideas, practical intelligence determines whether those ideas actually work in the real world.
It shows up in business, leadership, and, basically, daily decision-making. You can see its impact through the lives of leaders who’ve mastered it for their success:
- Oprah Winfrey. Built a media empire by understanding people, sensing cultural moments early, and connecting with audiences in ways that felt personal and timely.
- Serena Williams. A master at adapting mid-match, reading opponents in real-time, and turning setbacks into wins—both on and off the court.
- Richard Branson. A business maverick who built Virgin Group and other ventures from scratch by making bold moves, taking risks, and trusting his instincts.
- Kobe Bryant. Relentlessly studied opponents, adjusted his game on the fly, and used his deep understanding of psychology to outmaneuver the competition.
- Sheryl Sandberg. Helped Facebook scale globally, navigating complex business landscapes and making strategic decisions that kept the company ahead of the curve.
Forget luck or raw talent. The common ground they all share is that they have trained judgment. They knew the environment they were in and read social cues around them. On top of that, they could make decisions based on what was actually happening instead of what should have been.
And this multi-tiered ability to adapt in motion? It’s the engine of practical intelligence.
How to cultivate practical intelligence
With all this talk about being instinct-driven, it’s easy to believe practical intelligence is something you either have or don’t.
But reality check: it’s a skill that’s trained over time.
Here’s how you develop it:
- Make more decisions, faster. Don’t wait for the perfect setup. Learn to assess risks quickly and make the best choice with the information you have.
- Learn to read the room. Whether in negotiations, meetings, or networking, pay attention to people’s motives, reactions, and energy.
- Expose yourself to real-world challenges. Start a side hustle, handle tough conversations, or take on responsibilities that push you outside your comfort zone.
- Study high-level decision-makers. Observe how top entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders make critical moves under pressure.
- Get comfortable with uncertainty. The real world doesn’t come with a manual. Learn to trust your ability to adapt and figure things out as you go.
At the end of the day, practical intelligence is about making moves, not just making plans. The more you act, the sharper you get.
The science behind intelligence: What research says
Your brain isn’t a static storage box for facts; it can change itself based on how you think and learn, a process known as neuroplasticity. Every time you pick up or practice a new skill or solve a problem, your brain forms fresh neural connections.
According to a study published in Brain Research, this process is continuous. Neuroplasticity isn’t something that switches on only during childhood. It’s active throughout your life, responding moment by moment to how you use your mind.
That’s why intelligence isn’t set in stone. As Jim puts it, “Your memory is not fixed. Your ability to focus is not fixed. Your intelligence is not fixed.”
And this adaptability is at the heart of the triarchic theory of intelligence.
When the triarchic model was tested in real classrooms, the results were telling. Research published by the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented shows that students who learned through all three types of intelligence Sternberg outlined achieved more goals. Not only that, but they also understood concepts more deeply and were able to think on their feet in unfamiliar situations.
This way of thinking about intelligence sure doesn’t stop at classrooms, cultures, or even country borders. When Sternberg and his colleagues studied the Yup’ik people of Alaska in the early 2000s, that became obvious fast.
“Children in the semiurban community outperformed children in the rural community on the test of crystallized intelligence,” they summarized in a Learning and Individual Differences study. But then, “children in the rural community, however, outperformed children in the urban community on the test of practical intelligence.”
So it’s clear: stretch your mind in real-world situations, and it learns the terrain. You read situations more quickly, connect ideas more swiftly, and move with greater confidence…
…No matter who you are or your origin story.
7 pro tips on how to develop each type of intelligence
The key to sharpening your intelligence the Sternberg way is to learn better, not more. It’s changing how you learn, so what you pick up actually shows up when life asks for it.
Now, here’s where Jim’s Superbrain techniques work best. They rewire how you think, so every piece of information you absorb is retrievable upon command, later.
So, open the Kwik playbook on how to learn faster and expand your smartness:
1. The F.A.S.T. method
See, all three types of intelligence come down to how well you process what you learn and how easily you can use it when life calls for it.
Timing, context, application… they all matter.
All of which Jim’s F.A.S.T. method supports. It’s built to help your brain take in information in a way that feels natural and usable. The goal is clear thinking, quick recall, and ideas that surface when you need them, not later.
Behold, a breakdown of what the acronym in the technique stands for:
- F is for “forget.” Let go of what you think you know about anything. Intelligence grows when you’re open to new perspectives. So, be quick to drop assumptions and let curiosity drive your learning.
- A is for “active.” As in active learning. Because the thing is, passive learning is useless. Engage with what you’re learning, whether by questioning it, debating it, or applying it immediately.
- S is for “state.” “All learning is state-dependent. If emotion is zero, anything times zero is zero,” explains Jim. You guessed it—the right “mood” and state of mind can supercharge your ability to think, create, and execute by leaps and bounds.
- T is for “teach.” Teaching the knowledge you know to others locks it in, making it easier to recall and apply in real life. As Jim describes, “When I teach something, I get to learn it twice.” And a bonus if you can explain an idea in your own words.
When you accelerate your thinking, problem-solving, and executing skills, you stop waiting for opportunities… and start making them.
2. The M.O.M. technique
The fact of the matter is, you can’t apply what you don’t remember. But with Jim’s M.O.M. technique—which stands for “motivation,” “observation,” and “mechanics”—you can. It’s designed to encode knowledge into your long-term intelligence bank.
Game-changing, right?
Let’s check it out:
- Motivation. Intelligence without motivation is useless. Why do you want to learn something? Dig deeper, then tie it to a real-life goal. This way, your brain will work harder to retain and apply information.
- Observation. Finding it hard to remember facts? “You don’t have a memory problem. You have a focus problem,” reminds Jim. But you can break the brain fog by paying full attention to the world around you. It’s the surefire way to develop and accelerate practical and creative intelligence.
- Mechanics. There are proven ways to learn and think faster, like creative visualization, association, and storytelling. Hack your brainpower with them, and watch yourself process complex ideas more effortlessly.
It helps to remember that the brain is nature’s best supercomputer. “If you tell yourself you’re not good at remembering names,” Jim points out, “you will not remember the name of the next person you meet because you programmed your supercomputer not to.”
And the opposite is true. Keep telling yourself your memory’s excellent, and you’ll eventually witness your knowledge bank expanding like never before.
Marine Gouffron, a travel agent based in Lausanne, learned this firsthand. Before discovering Jim’s method, it was a struggle to remember new information. But after applying it to her life, she’s improved her people-facing career by leaps and bounds. She shares with Mindvalley, “I can now learn all the subjects and languages I always wanted to learn.”
3. Radical note-taking
Want to think faster and connect ideas effortlessly? Then stop mindlessly copying information and learn how to take notes like a champ with Jim’s Capture and Create method. It optimizes note-taking to support your mastery of Sternberg’s three intelligence types.
Here’s how it works:
- Capture. On the left side of your notebook, jot down key concepts, facts, and insights. This is the raw data—the “what.”
- Create. On the right side, make it personal. Write your takeaways, questions, and ideas on how you can use this knowledge in real life. Here, you take stock of the “why” and “how.”
Most people write notes like they’re transcribing a lecture. Don’t.
If you’re just copying word-for-word, you’re not actually thinking. The brain thrives on forming new neural connections, not just storing information, which proper note-taking supports.
And the moment you start treating note-taking as an active process, you’re no longer a student. What you are is an innovator in training.
4. Spaced repetition
One-time learning is easily forgettable. Now, real intelligence sticks when you revisit and apply what you’ve learned at the right moments. It’s a technique Jim calls spaced repetition.
In simple terms? Repetition + timing = mastery.
A review timeline that works on an “every other day” momentum helps you “really consolidate information from your short- to long-term memory so it becomes part of you,” says Jim. This way, instead of passively cramming facts (à la rote learning), you’re reinforcing new neural connections, making it easier to retain ideas.
And here’s where it ties back to the triarchic theory of intelligence:
- Analytical intelligence. Revisiting problem-solving methods in spaced intervals helps them become instinctual for complex issues.
- Creative intelligence. Space out creative skill-building—whether it’s writing, designing, or brainstorming—so your ideas flow effortlessly over time.
- Practical intelligence. Rehearse real-world decision-making scenarios so your brain sharpens its ability to think on the spot.
Think back to when you’re watching your favorite show. The first time, you get the gist. The second time, you catch subtle details. By the third time? You can quote entire scenes without thinking.
See, that’s how radical intelligence development works. The more strategically you revisit and apply knowledge, the faster your brain retrieves it when it matters most.
5. Emotional regulation
Your emotional state plays a bigger role in intelligence than you might think.
“If you’re bored, your brain won’t retain the information,” says Jim. The same can happen with stress, endless digital distractions, or unending negative self-talk.
You can counter that by keeping your brain in the optimal state for learning and decision-making. And this starts with:
- Playing calming music. Soft, low-frequency sounds help lower stress, improving memory and concentration.
- Meditating. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness meditation a day can strengthen your overall focus, creativity, and cognitive flexibility.
- Breathing into your “genius.” Mindful breathing techniques, like the 4-7-8 method or the SOMA Breath® technique, can shift your brain into a more focused, relaxed mode.
- Declutter the space where you learn and work. Too much visual “noise” can overwhelm the brain, making it harder to think clearly and stay present.
- Journaling every day. Writing down thoughts helps process emotions, declutter the mind, and enhance problem-solving skills.
- Moving your body. Move your body, and you “move” your brain, too. Studies show that regular exercise—especially aerobic—increases your cognitive functions. It’s how you can think more clearly and make smarter decisions on the fly.
When you master your emotions, you stop second-guessing yourself and start making sharper, more strategic decisions… just like a true triarchic thinker.
6. A conducive environment
Jim often talks about curating a brain-friendly environment to optimize learning. That means:
- A tribe that expands, not shrinks, your mind. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you to grow and scale, not devolve.
- A workspace that fuels clarity and creativity. Design your environment to minimize distractions and maximize focus. Think clean space, good lighting, and tools that keep your brain engaged.
- A content diet that fuels your thinking. What you read, watch, and listen to shapes your thinking. Choose books, podcasts, and conversations that expand your perspective and sharpen your intelligence.
Ultimately, developing intelligence doesn’t stop at what you learn. Who and what influences your thinking on a daily basis matter just as much, if not more.
That’s what Josephina Thembisile-Mzimela discovered when she joined the Superbrain program on Mindvalley.
“The community,” she shares, “was friendly and helpful.” From there, her learning journey kept building momentum, supported in the right environment of like-minded learners who were expanding their minds alongside her.
7. A beginner’s mindset
Curiosity is a lifelong cheat code for expanding intelligence. It’s why children are the best students ever. “[They] can learn a language. They can learn musical instruments. And they can learn it fast,” explains Jim in his program.
And no—it’s not because their brains are “young” and “new.” It’s simply that they’ve not been conditioned to doubt themselves as they learn new information on the go.
So, what if expanding your intelligence, the triarchic way, is to embody the same unbridled curiosity you once had as a child? Well, only one way to know… and it’s through embracing the beginner’s mode and learning with the best resources on the topic.
Programs
- Superbrain by Jim Kwik. Whether it’s retaining information faster, thinking more creatively, or sharpening problem-solving skills, this program rewires your brain for high-speed learning.
- Becoming Focused and Indistractable by Nir Eyal. Explore this program for no-nonsense, easy-to-apply methods like dopamine fasting and timeboxing to experience both creative and analytical breakthroughs.
- The Silva Ultramind System by Vishen. Here, you’ll learn how to tap into altered states of consciousness and use visualization techniques based on the Silva Method by José Silva to reprogram your mind.
- The Transformation Leader by Morty Moran. Explore science-backed strategies to tackle complex problems and drive real change, a.k.a., practical and analytical intelligence in action.
Books
- Limitless by Jim Kwik. A guide to unlocking your brain’s full potential, helping you learn faster, think smarter, and upgrade your intelligence at any stage of life.
- Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. This book argues that generalists outperform niche-focused professionals in an unpredictable world.
- The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani. A playbook for questioning outdated beliefs, which Vishen calls “brules” (or bullsh*t rules), and designing a smarter, more limitless life.
- Think Like a Rocket Scientist by Ozan Varol. Think in first principles, embrace uncertainty, and challenge assumptions to make smarter decisions and breakthrough innovations.
- The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman. Learn the most valuable lessons from top MBA programs and apply them in real-world scenarios to set you up for success outside of the box. No six-figure business degrees are needed.
- Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke. A masterclass in decision-making, risk assessment, and using uncertainty to your advantage, led by a former professional poker player.
Podcasts
- The Mindvalley Podcast with Vishen. Expect mind-expanding conversations on spirituality, wellness, neuroscience, and the evolution of intelligence with world-class experts from diverse industries.
- The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett. Think of this podcast as the blueprint for thinking creatively, making smarter moves, and expanding your intelligence in ways no textbook ever could help you with. Yep, you’re looking at insights from the world’s top thinkers, entrepreneurs, and disruptors.
- The Mel Robbins Podcast with Mel Robbins. Mel Robbins doesn’t do fluff. And her podcast is a straight-talking, science-backed deep dive into the psychology of success, habit formation, and overcoming mental roadblocks.
- The Genius Mind with Max Lugavere. It’s a platform where Max investigates science-backed insights in nutrition, movement, and lifestyle and how they impact cognitive function and overall intelligence.
- No Stupid Questions with Angela Duckworth and Stephen Dubner. If you’ve ever questioned how intelligence really works, this podcast is your playground. Bestselling author and grit expert Angela joins Freakonomics’ Stephen Dubner in exploring the quirks of human behavior, learning, and problem-solving.
- Women at Work by Harvard Business Review. Dive into the unfiltered truths about female leadership and decision-making in the pursuit of high-performance careers and the pressure women face to balance it all.
- The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish. In this podcast, the former intelligence officer turned Farnam Street founder breaks down mental models that help you make sharper decisions, cut through the noise, and see the world like a strategist.
Awaken your unstoppable
“The two most powerful words in the world are ‘I am.’ Whatever you put after them shapes your reality,” says Jim. In other words? What you tell yourself matters.
If you believe you’re fast at learning, great at remembering names, or that you are a creative person, your brain will register it. And since intelligence is fluid and flexible, you can build, refine, and expand it at any time.
Ready to fire up your brainpower to keep up with the rapidly shifting world? Then Jim’s free Superbrain masterclass is the right starting point for you.
This prelude to his actual Mindvalley program breaks down the science of:
- Learning faster,
- Remembering more, and
- Unlocking your full cognitive potential.
You’ll walk away with practical takeaways to supercharge your learning speed, memory, and cognitive performance…just like the actors, CEOs, Olympians, and NASA scientists he has trained.
And the impact is real. For Milica Lazovic, an opera singer in Italy, it changed everything.
“Before this program, I had a morning routine, but it wasn’t consistent,” she explains. “I struggled to focus and follow through with learning.” But after applying the Superbrain techniques? “My memory improved, my habits became structured, and I finally understood why these practices mattered.”
Like Milica, you, too, will see that your brain has always been your greatest ally. The more you train it, the more it gives back.
So, master your mind with Jim at Mindvalley, and see everything else fall into place.
Welcome in.
