"In Unstoppable Brain, Dr. Kyra Bobinet merges groundbreaking neuroscience with practical wisdom, offering a transformative approach to behavior change. Having co-taught with Dr. Bobinet at Stanford University, I witnessed firsthand her profound impact on students, guiding them through the complexities of patient engagement with clarity and compassion. This book is a testament to her deep understanding of the human mind and its potential for change. Dr. Bobinet masterfully demystifies the neuroscience behind our habitual responses and introduces the revolutionary concept of the habenula's role in motivation and behavior control.
This work is not just a book; it's a blueprint for anyone seeking to bridge the 'know-do gap' and harness their innate power for lasting change. It's an essential read for healthcare professionals, educators, and anyone yearning to unlock their unstoppable brain."
Larry Chu, MD, MS, MSc
Professor, AIM Lab Director, Stanford School of Medicine
"Unstoppable Brain by Dr. Kyra Bobinet is the book we all need right now! Who would have thought one could take complex scientific concepts and not only explain them clearly but sprinkle in the quotes and stories that result in a true page-turner? Through the concept of 'Failure Disease, ' Dr. Bobinet shows us how to recognize and overcome the many internal voices of failure that hold us back from living our best lives. Her approach, rooted in neuroscience, offers a fresh perspective on how we can think differently. The result is at once steeped in science but easy to understand as well as motivating and even inspiring. Dr. Bobinet's writing is clear and concise, making it easy for anyone to understand and apply the concepts to their own lives. She boils it down beautifully into a series of actionable steps that will help anyone achieve their goals. Unstoppable Brain is a must-read for anyone looking to live a more healthy and fulfilling life."
Joseph Kvedar, MD
Professor, Harvard Medical School
"A fresh, alternative perspective, Unstoppable Brain is a thought-provoking approach to motivation science. In it, Dr. Bobinet outlines the importance of the habenula for regulating failures and she shares practical concrete steps for reaching one's full potential. A must read for anyone who strives to make lasting and meaningful changes."
Jeni L. Burnette, PhD
Professor of Psychology, North Carolina State University
"As a physician who specializes in obesity, time after time I see patients desperate to lose weight, be initially successful, only to fall back into old habits and regain the weight. It's as if we are at constant war with ourselves. Finally, Dr. Bobinet compellingly shares new science that helps explain why, despite our best intentions, it's biologically so hard to reach and sustain our goals. This groundbreaking book examines the biology of failure and can help reframe the shame and guilt that follows when we invariably falter. Better than that, it gives us a roadmap on how to change our self-dialogue to achieve lasting success. Dr. Bobbinet artfully weaves science into a guide to help us better understand how our brains can work against us and how we can get on the same team to live our best lives."
Susan Wolver, MD, FACP, FOMA
Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Weight Loss Program; Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine
“[...] a motivational powerhouse.”
Kirkus Reviews
“Unstoppable Brain becomes akin to a multimedia tool for self-improvement, with a Swiss Army knife’s worth of techniques, each of which can be utilized as needed.”
Foreword
“Unstoppable Brain is a transformative original resource that offers fresh approaches to mindset adjustment and behavioral changes [...] and the ways that the habenula might be diminishing our motivation in life, at work, on social media, and everywhere else.”
BookLife by Publishers Weekly Editor's Pick
“You don't need a degree in psychology to read Kyra Bobinet's work, only a desire to learn and make positive changes in your thought process.”
Readers' Favorite
“In Unstoppable Brain, Dr. Kyra Bobinet merges groundbreaking neuroscience with practical wisdom, offering a transformative approach to behavior change. Having co-taught with Dr. Bobinet at Stanford University, I witnessed firsthand her profound impact on students, guiding them through the complexities of patient engagement with clarity and compassion. This book is a testament to her deep understanding of the human mind and its potential for change. Dr. Bobinet masterfully demystifies the neuroscience behind our habitual responses and introduces the revolutionary concept of the habenula's role in motivation and behavior control.
This work is not just a book; it's a blueprint for anyone seeking to bridge the ‘know-do gap’ and harness their innate power for lasting change. It’s an essential read for healthcare professionals, educators, and anyone yearning to unlock their unstoppable brain.”
Larry Chu, MD, MS, MSc
Professor, AIM Lab Director, Stanford School of Medicine
“Unstoppable Brain by Dr. Kyra Bobinet is the book we all need right now! Who would have thought one could take complex scientific concepts and not only explain them clearly but sprinkle in the quotes and stories that result in a true page-turner? Through the concept of ‘Failure Disease,’ Dr. Bobinet shows us how to recognize and overcome the many internal voices of failure that hold us back from living our best lives. Her approach, rooted in neuroscience, offers a fresh perspective on how we can think differently. The result is at once steeped in science but easy to understand as well as motivating and even inspiring. Dr. Bobinet’s writing is clear and concise, making it easy for anyone to understand and apply the concepts to their own lives. She boils it down beautifully into a series of actionable steps that will help anyone achieve their goals. Unstoppable Brain is a must-read for anyone looking to live a more healthy and fulfilling life.”
Joseph Kvedar, MD
Professor, Harvard Medical School
“A fresh, alternative perspective, Unstoppable Brain is a thought-provoking approach to motivation science. In it, Dr. Bobinet outlines the importance of the habenula for regulating failures and she shares practical concrete steps for reaching one’s full potential. A must read for anyone who strives to make lasting and meaningful changes.”
Jeni L. Burnette, PhD
Professor of Psychology, North Carolina State University
“As a physician who specializes in obesity, time after time I see patients desperate to lose weight, be initially successful, only to fall back into old habits and regain the weight. It’s as if we are at constant war with ourselves. Finally, Dr. Bobinet compellingly shares new science that helps explain why, despite our best intentions, it’s biologically so hard to reach and sustain our goals. This groundbreaking book examines the biology of failure and can help reframe the shame and guilt that follows when we invariably falter. Better than that, it gives us a roadmap on how to change our self-dialogue to achieve lasting success. Dr. Bobbinet artfully weaves science into a guide to help us better understand how our brains can work against us and how we can get on the same team to live our best lives.”
Susan Wolver, MD, FACP, FOMA
Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Weight Loss Program; Diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine
“Since I began working with Dr. Kyra Bobinet over a decade ago, I have been impressed with her quest for the truth about how we, as humans, can change our behavior for the better. Her latest book, Unstoppable Brain, may be the most significant book ever produced on this topic. Beyond habits and app’s, Unstoppable Brain delivers practical, science-based strategies that can increase the efficacy of health interventions and workplace well-being at-large.”
David J. Hoke
Workforce Well-Being Leader; Former Senior Director Associate of Health and Well-Being, Walmart
“For as long as I’ve known Dr. Bobinet, she’s been driven to help people harness the natural forces in and around us. In Unstoppable Brain, she takes that philosophy to deep extremes, examining the most personal, unique “who we are” there is: our brain. With accessible, thoughtful, caring prose, science, and stories, she shows us a path through our internal and external challenges to a life of genuine motivation, growth and a contentment. This book is an offering from Kyra’s brain to ours. It is a gift of knowledge and guidance, delivered with passion, humility, and heart.”
Jeff Kreisler
Head of Behavioral Science, JP Morgan; Bestselling Author, Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter
“Unstoppable Brain is an exhilarating fusion of science, psychology, and captivating real-world narratives that ignite empowerment. With a masterful blend of research and storytelling, Kyra unveils the intriguing reasons behind the pitfalls of common methods like tracking, dieting, and goal-setting, shedding light on how they trigger the habenula's ‘failure detection.’ This insightful book introduces the concept of ‘Failure Disease,’ guiding readers through recognizing and conquering the internal voices of failure, while diving into the profound revelations of long-term neuroscience research, illuminating the secrets of habits and lifestyle change. Embracing the power of reframing, fostering a growth mindset, and embracing ‘iteration,’ Unstoppable Brain equips readers with the tools to neutralize failure’s grip and stay relentlessly motivated in their pursuit of success.”
Liz Kwo, MD, MBA, MPH
Author, DigitalMD; Revolutionizing the Future of Healthcare
“In Unstoppable Brain, Dr. Kyra Bobinet offers an incisive and fresh view of what plagues our healthcare and weight loss industries, dives into the science behind what is wrong with the status quo, and explains how we might better tap into the power of the human brain to achieve lasting health and well-being.”
Beth McMahon
Healthcare Executive; Strategic Client Advisor
“Accurate, compelling, and powerful! Dr. Kyra Bobinet masterfully bridges the latest neuroscience research with actionable strategies to unleash your full potential and live your most inspired life. By understanding how our brains work, we can see our motivational pitfalls and take steps toward positive change. Unstoppable Brain is an invaluable guide for self-development, offering transformative wisdom that transcends the ordinary.”
Allison Feduccia, PhD
Neuropharmacologist
“This book, Unstoppable Brain, gives the reader the power of choice in a world that often feels like its on repeat. It allows you to take a real look at your own daily “performances” so you may decide if you are behaving at your highest or if you’re tired of being on auto-pilot. A life of authenticity, purpose, and passion awaits. Read this book if you’re ready for the growth that you have always deserved.”
Baabiitaw Boyd
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
“Sustained healthful behavior change is a holy grail for so many of us―from both a personal and professional perspective. In Unstoppable Brain, Dr. Kyra Bobinet, drawing upon years of experience in the field of wellness and her in-depth study of neuroscience, provides with us a novel approach to achieving this elusive goal.
This book offers us a fresh perspective on performance and failure, and a new set of tools to optimize and release our innate motivation. It is a hopeful, compassionate, and practical approach to becoming the best we can be and living the best life we can live.”
Zeev Neuwirth, MD
Healthcare Executive; Author, Reframing Healthcare and Beyond the Walls
“Unstoppable Brain by Dr. Kyra Bobinet is an important and engaging book that educates the reader on the science behind behavior change and how to finally make it stick. Her scientific yet accessible exploration of the brain regions newly identified as being implicated in shutting down our motivation after perceiving failure is an epiphany. Unstoppable Brain is a seminal work in the field of behavioural neuroscience and is a must-read for anyone looking to develop healthier, sustainable, lifelong habits. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to take charge of their life and overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving their personal goals.”
Kate Beebe DaVarney, PhD
Founder and CEO, Moxie Therapeutics
“Unstoppable Brain is an easy read that provides insightful examples of people who have achieved lasting change by working with their brain’s natural functions rather than against them. Dr. Bobinet's approach to the neuroscience of failure and habit formation is truly unique and compelling. She emphasizes the importance of understanding our brains and how they work and using that knowledge to create positive change in our lives. I highly recommend Unstoppable Brain to anyone who is looking to make positive changes in their life and wants to do so in a way that is both effective and sustainable.”
Margarita Ramos, MD, MPH
Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine Expert
“Read this wonderful book to learn real-world strategies for reframing failure and making meaningful change.”
David Eagleman, PhD
Neuroscientist, Stanford University; New York Times Bestselling Author, Livewired and Incognito
From the Back Cover
The Most Effective and Rewarding Path to Living Well in Modern Times Is Here
Unstoppable Brain unveils riveting new science behind permanent, satisfying, and healthy change―for you and those in your life.
Do you know what you should do to improve your life, but often don’t do it?
New, game-changing neuroscience explains why, liberating you from being stuck in the same habits, patterns, short-term fixes, and pinballing between results and relapse.
Today’s performative work and social environments, based on fixed goals, competitions, relentless tracking, or likes and followers, cause us to perform constantly for others, masquerading our true selves in order to be safe and to belong. But recent brain research reveals a hidden downside: performative approaches surprisingly drive more failure, leading to desperate efforts to uphold the performative image. This in turn causes motivation loss, unrelenting anxiety, and becoming stuck in not doing what we know could improve our lives―the “know-do gap.”
A newly studied brain area, perhaps the most powerful behavior controller ever found, the habenula, holds the key. The habenula serves as a failure detector, activating any time we believe we have failed; for example, eating 1,300 calories instead of the 1,200 our diet limits. Once turned “on,” the habenula acts like a kill switch for our motivation. We suddenly, unconsciously, don’t feel like doing the positive behavior anymore and our brains unfairly blame or shame us for “not being motivated.”
If you’ve ever experienced a lack of or loss of motivation to do what is right and healthy for your life, this book is for you. Dr. Bobinet reveals the failsafe way to change your behavior using the power of iteration to neutralize failure and liberate your true inner wisdom and power. If you get blocked by the past or overwhelmed by the future, Unstoppable Brain restores your sovereignty and empowers you to change your life in ways you’ve only dreamed of.
About the Author
KYRA BOBINET, MD, MPH, has passionately pursued and studied the truth about behavior change for nearly three decades as a physician, public health leader, healthcare executive, and behavioral expert. An award-winning health innovator and thought leader, Dr. Bobinet has an MD from UCSF School of Medicine and an MPH from Harvard University. She belongs to the Stanford Medical School AIM lab, where she teaches occasionally on health behavior change, and Founder/CEO of Fresh Tri, a behavioral software based on the latest neuroscience of habit formation and lasting change. Her first bestselling book, Well Designed Life, is a collection of globally influential brain science and behavior change. Dr. Bobinet is an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota. She enjoys meditation, horsemanship, and herbalism, and lives with her family and animal and plant teachers in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains.
