Brave New You: Strategies, Tools, and Neurohacks to Live More Courageously Every Day by Mary Poffenroth, Ph.D. is presented in three parts. Each section provides applicable tools for coping with fear. You will become more courageous with a deeper understanding of the root of your worries, learn how your preconceived notions about fear are incorrect while discovering the latest research on fear, and understand how you can draw from a never-ending pool of bravery as you are faced with societal challenges. The author details the types of fears, discusses "neuro-hacks", and busts the myth of "fearlessness", explaining the biology behind our feelings and connection styles while keeping her wording relatable and easily digestible.

Fear can produce limitations, but Mary Poffenroth, biopsychologist and researcher, wants to eliminate the negative feelings you have about your concerns so you can fully embrace your authentic self. Just like a good friend, Dr. Poffenroth shares her experiences to benefit you, illustrating that your responses are natural and giving you the confidence you need to no longer be ashamed of your worries or about communicating them. Her book can help you change your response to fear and guide you as you ask yourself questions that may help you understand yourself better. Her conclusions could assist you in determining where your concerns originated. The author provides tips you can implement immediately and advice you should apply over time as you are faced with troubling situations or thoughts. With the strategies in Brave New You, no one has to mask or be ruled by their fears.

Mary Poffenroth's Brave New You is a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing fear and anxiety-related disorders. The author draws on her extensive knowledge and experience as a researcher to provide an in-depth exploration of the biological, cultural, and personal factors contributing to our fears. She teaches readers how to reshape and embrace fear and use it as a transformative key to harnessing their full potential. While reading this book, readers will learn practical strategies to recognize, assign, identify, and navigate their fears in ways they never did before. Whether you are struggling with everyday stress or more severe anxiety concerns, Poffenroth's book will provide you with a step-by-step approach to taking control of your mental health and experiencing a more fulfilling life.

Brave New You is a unique look into the different aspects of fear and how to develop the resilience to confront it effectively. Mary Poffenroth does an incredible job of balancing each scientific and psychological concept, making the information accessible, intriguing, and informative. She flawlessly blends each concept with fascinating personal anecdotes in a way that feels both enlightening and engaging. Her life experiences add an authentic touch to each chapter, making it easier for readers to connect with the material. The strategies covered throughout are actionable, realistic, and relevant, especially in light of the current increase in depression and anxiety rates in our world today. If you are looking for a helpful guide to overcoming fear and anxiety, I highly recommend reading this illuminating book today. You will be pleased that you did!

A prevailing attitude in some quarters is that fear is a taboo subject - something best hidden. Overcoming fear is the central theme of Brave New You: Strategies, Tools, and Neurohacks to Live More Courageously Every Day, an inspiring work from Mary Poffenroth Ph.D. The author unpacks the misconceptions, stigmas, and fallacies we have been taught about fear. She explains that fear is a primal emotion that alerts us to danger, but irrational fear can become a trap that limits our growth and affects our well-being. The author describes the various types of fear and their origins and offers solutions. We live in a society where social status and identity create barriers and expectations, while childhood experiences shape our attitudes. She points out that fear can either be factual or fictional. By identifying the triggers to fear we can avoid the mind traps of “should” or “must” that flow from pressures to conform to cultural norms. A detailed description of how the brain works is particularly informative, as are the comments on social media and the stereotypes they create and promote. She shows readers how to be courageous and escape the beliefs and attitudes imprisoning them by employing what she describes as Neurohacks - physical and psychological shortcuts to ease the path.

Mary Poffenroth is a biopsychologist and researcher who experienced fear in its many forms during her formative years and speaks from experience. She had a troubled upbringing, marked by a liberal share of anxiety, followed by an unhappy early career where she felt trapped by a sense of duty, work pressures, and ingrained beliefs. She emerged triumphant. Her innovative RAIN method enables us to Recognize, Assign, Identify, and Navigate the issues that confront us. Brave New You is a challenge to readers to put aside their assumptions, doubts, and fears to rebuild their lives. It is filled with deeply personal insights into her journey that required considerable courage to share with readers. The resulting guide will motivate readers to rewrite their life stories. It incorporates fascinating anecdotes and the lessons learned. The book is full of useful checklists to help readers assess their situations and core values, as well as advice on how to let go of fear. It is rounded off with an extensive list of sources. The approach is original, captivating, and detailed. It is highly recommended to those wishing to free themselves from fear.

Brave New You by Dr. Mary Poffenroth is a self-help memoir describing her experiences with fear, courage, and development. She discusses a childhood where her mixed Indigenous and European heritage led to fears around racism, shaping unhealthy behaviors. She describes battling imposter syndrome during her NASA career even though she was successful, and how perfectionism served as a coping mechanism. The author introduces the RAIN method to process fear, which she applies during a dangerous boat trip in Croatia. She also talks about desensitization, using exposure to reduce fear, and shares practices such as breathwork, play, and gratitude to increase resiliency. Dr. Poffenroth speaks on vulnerability and meaningful connections to transform fear, leaning into change through embracing courageous actions. Her approach integrates techniques for managing stress, overcoming roadblocks, and improving relationships with the hope of empowering readers to live courageous lives.

Dr. Mary Poffenroth's Brave New You is a wonderfully fresh and unique approach to managing fear to bolster courage. I like that she does not just share her stories and say that change is necessary; she goes a step further and gives readers practical strategies and “neurohacks” in a mixed bag of psychological theory and genuinely actionable tools. The style of writing is conversational and extremely accessible to all readers. As a person of color who also comes from a culture where fair skin is considered more attractive and higher degrees of melatonin inexplicably denote a lower standing of class, her candid talk about culture and cognitive distortions was an eye-opening perspective on the barriers that are much higher than I had previously thought. Whether you struggle with perfectionism or feel overwhelmed by the pressures of everyday life, Dr. Poffenroth’s techniques can and will help readers face their fears and live more courageously every day. Very highly recommended.