Fuel The Fire, Perform With Passion [Paperback]

Brad Yates (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 1998

Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, Brad teaches his passion, performance psychology. For years he has been driven to understand and teach the process of "giving it your best," a process he calls "HiLevel Performance." The HiLevel process is a reflection of the careful analysis and learning that he has undergone as an athlete, teacher, parent, coach, writer, and counselor. Not just for extreme athletes, Brad's insight and knowledge of the interaction of body and mind can benefit everyone from the weekend warrior to the over-worked entrepreneur. The process of learning to Fuel the Fire is simple. Find something that interests you, get excited, generate an intense desire and learn how to express your passion for what you love to do. This book and the classic "Steps" Brad outlines are his way of structuring the essence of performance in a manner that is clear, sequential, logical and easily understood. Use Fuel the Fire as a: Jump Start - a surge of inspiration to get you going and keep you going. Boulet Line - a souce of support if what you want to accomplish resembles a radical climb. Playbook - a series of reminders about what you already know but may have forgotten. Survival Kit - important tools for dealing with the emotional and physical pain that can be a part of pushing your limits. Whatever Fuel the Fire turns out to be for you, Brad trusts that it will add to your pleasure of doing what you love to do.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Brad's thirst for an understanding of great performance with serenity has never diminished. I have listened as he mesmerized audiences with his powerful lectures. I have hoped he would reduce his spirit and wisdom to written form." - Bill Curry, Football Analyst for ESPN and Director of National Consortium for Academics and Sports

"Exciting, stimulating and helpful. Brad Yates' passion for people and for the field of performance psychology comes through in every energized sentence of this book. This man has spent his lifetime helping people realize their potential." Ren'e Tillich, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

"Brad has a way of breaking down complex issues into amazingly simple nd a straightforward objectives. The concept of HiLevel shows you how to focus and see things that are likely hidden in the back of your mind. It brings them forward into a very clear and understandable light. The ability to achieve-focused, confident, and satisfied with one's self-has never been easier." - Robby Naish, World Champion Windsurfer and Businessman

"Whether windsurfing, canoe paddling or maintaining my focus through medical school or residency, I have found the HiLevel process incredibly valuable. Brad's enthusiasm and commitment to fitness and balance in life are sure to inspire." - Dr. Bruce Eliashof, Psychiatrist and HiLevel Team Rider

"Finally, a 'training manual' for us Water People with a mind AND a heart. On any page you'll lock into a powerful reminder for your brain. Every aspiring pro should be handed a copy WITH their rules book. And EVERY rated pro should keep it in hers/his duffel for just those moments when. . . ." - Bernie Baker, SURFER MAGAZINE

"To express the complexity of so many variables in livable terms is to approach a perfection that few people can obtain. Brad's fantastic work has been refined over time and daily practice. His success is measured by the people you read about here. They have taken these very straightforward ideas and use them in their pursuit of excellence. It is an outstanding way to approach performance- be it sports, work, or simply life." - Maui Meyer, Entrepreneur

"Many of the processes I found effective in athletic competition are well represented in this book. The practical, healthy approach to personal achievement is interesting and refreshing, especially its emphasis on participation and valuing the process more than a first place finish." - Matt Biondi, Winner of 11 Olympic Medals

"Brad's love for people and burning desire to help them become the best they can be has motivated this most inspirational book. Share it with everyone!" - Larry New, Georgia Tech Director-Homer Rice Center for Sports Performance and Total Person Program

"I'm Stoked! Fuel the Fire is a great book. Brad has captured the essence of what it means to be Committed." Kenny Bradshaw, the Star of the Biggest "Big Wednesday"

From the Author

The scene is Tuscaloosa, Alabama in the summer of 1987. Bill Curry the Head Coach at the University of Alabama had invited me to speak to his team and the high school athletes attending his camp. "You need to give what you do a name, you need to write it down, you can't have what you do be a mystery." The voice of Bill urging me to organize the focus of my work and as we say in Hawaii to become "somebody." The next morning I sat down to create my identity. Sitting in a screened-in little house with an incredible view of Lake Tuscaloosa, the name HiLevel Performance came to me. Next the eight steps that became the basis of the HiLevel process came to me as fast as I could write them down. "Woah... this is deep," I remember thinking, "I'm having one of those experiences that happens to writers." The feelings were definitely present, the images were clear and my identity began to take form. That night standing in front of 50 blue chip athletes with Kenny G playing in the background I let it out. The essence of HiLevel Performance came out of me. Driving home afterwards I remember the excitement of realizing that I had just discovered something that I really wanted to do and something that I really wanted to get good at. My nickname in high school was NO EFFORT. I decided early that being aloof was a safe place to be. In college, I majored in being different. A surfer at heart, born and raised on Long Island, playing football at Georgia Tech, I had an abundance of material for being different. In Hawaii, I took on the role of a dedicated surfer and a relaxed and cool teacher. Suddenly, all of this was about to change. I realized I had a dream that went beyond surfing, teaching and the beauty of Hawaii. I realized that Bill was right, it was time I came out and made a statement that represented my truth. Performance has always been my passion. This book Fuel the Fire, Perform with Passion represents my statement and my truth. The eight steps that make up the HiLevel process form the basis of what you need to do in order to show up and give your best effort. In writing this book I have been blessed with an incredible amount of support. I am grateful to the love and support of my family. Thank you Elise, Reyn and Shannon. I am grateful to Doc Berry, Harry Grzelewski and Floyd Loomis for helping me to edit and polish the content of this book. I am grateful to Bill Curry, Bruce Eliashof, Ren'e Tillich, and a host of athletes, students and friends for giving me the direction and the support to develop the concepts presented in this book. I am grateful to Kiki Guidani of WindItalia for giving me the opportunity to write a column on windsurf fitness. During this time I developed an interview format that provided the examples found in this book. I am grateful to Darrell Wong, Steve Wilkings and Bernie Baker for providing the outstanding pictures for the front and back cover. I am grateful to my designer Jon. Hersh for "bumping" my designs and material to a new level. I am grateful to amazon.com for giving me this opportunity to present my book and my truth. I am grateful to you the reader for giving me this opportunity to share my truth with you. I look forward to your feedback and I trust that this book will provide you with the clarity and the skills needed to get better at what you love to do.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: HiLevel Productions (December 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966918304
• ISBN-13: 978-0966918304
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #510,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanting template to perform, January 14, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Hood River, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fuel The Fire, Perform With Passion (Paperback)

I have read, and currently live by, many of the ideas espoused in this book. It may be challenging to disseminate, but it is for the Power-User of life, to be sure. As a guidline for whole life living and dream (goal)realization it is simply, the how-to manual. M.Scott Peck can give you the tenets in the Road Less Travelled- but if you want to see those ideas and more practiced by professional atheletes and other Hi-Level performers, you have to check this book out. Cheers to Brad Yates for getting it down on paper!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Fuel the Fire is a must read for top performers.", March 11, 1999

By 

Sean Satterfield ([e-mail]) (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fuel The Fire, Perform With Passion (Paperback)

"From experience, I can tell you that the HiLevel process works. It ties together the mental, physical and spiritual dimensions of performing at your best. I have applied the principles presented in this book as a high school and college athlete and in my profession as a financial advisor. Fuel the Fire provides the tools for managing the energy that I need to perform my best at work, in the weight room and in my personal life. A must read for those who want to maximize their potential."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whatever you do, Fuel the Fire will help you do it better!, April 7, 1999

By 

"eireland" (Grass Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fuel The Fire, Perform With Passion (Paperback)

Fuel the Fire got me back on track at a time in my life when I had gotten so busy with the demands of my new business that I'd started to neglect my body and my spirit. To make a long story short, I was getting flabby and irritable because my life had gotten out of balance. I was working hard, but I'd forgotten to play all out.
Last year I found my passion in sport, rock climbing, just before I found my passion in work, my networking business. The business took over and I left my ropes for months. After reading Brad's book, I'm back to climbing regularly and already seeing the benefits in both my climbing and my work, not to mention my spirits.
Brad's simple steps for Fueling the Fire got me off my butt and back on track. There's something here for everyone who's looking for balance and satisfaction without settling for mediocrity.
Thanks Brad!