Dr. Maya Shankar on Working with Chris Hemsworth in ‘Limitless’ Season 2

By: Archangel Apolonio 

Los Angeles, CA (News4usonline) — As we grow older, many of us lose the drive to take on new challenges — whether it’s learning to ride a skateboard, trying surfing for the first time, or picking up a musical instrument. But in Season 2 of Limitless, the mission isn’t simply to try something new — it’s to push the very boundaries of human potential. 

Premiered August 15 on Disney+, the series follows Chris Hemsworth as he tackles bold experiments and extreme challenges designed to defy aging, enhance well-being, and inspire viewers to live longer, healthier lives. 

In Season 2, Episode 1, Hemsworth is introduced to Dr. Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist whose expertise lies in understanding how humans adapt, learn, and thrive. Known for her work at the intersection of psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Shankar guides Hemsworth through challenges that test not only his body but also his mind — including learning to play the drums alongside Ed Sheeran during a live concert. 

The episode, titled Brain Power, highlights the incredible ways cognitive science can enhance learning and performance, showing how even seemingly simple activities can push the brain to new limits. 

As Hemsworth takes on the challenge of learning the drums, Dr. Shankar explains why picking up a new skill — especially later in life — is so powerful for brain health and memory. 

“Learning a new skill like a musical instrument is a full workout for the brain. It engages practically every part of the brain simultaneously — including the motor cortex, the visual cortex, and the auditory cortex,” Dr. Shankar said. “It’s an excellent way to supercharge the brain and help protect it from age-related decline. 

When we age, our brain’s neural connections start to weaken. One wonderful thing about the brain is that it has the remarkable ability to form new connections and rewire itself even as we age — a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity.” 

With her guidance, Hemsworth’s drumming journey becomes more than just a celebrity challenge — it’s a real-time demonstration of how science, determination, and curiosity can work together to keep our minds sharp at any age. 

“Knowing that our brains can change in both structure and function is very empowering — especially because that change happens in response to our experiences and the cognitive demands we place on ourselves,” Dr. Shankar said. “This is my public call to action for people to learn a new skill. It’s one of the best ways to take advantage of 

neuroplasticity. When we challenge our brains in this way, we build new neurons, form new synaptic connections, and create new neural pathways — ultimately changing our brains for the better.” 

Children often embrace challenges and new experiences without hesitation. Adults, however, may shy away from learning something new, assuming it’s too late. In reality, the brain continues to adapt and strengthen as we age when faced with fresh challenges.

“One of the things our brains are capable of doing is building what’s known as cognitive reserve,” Dr. Shankar explained. “Cognitive reserve refers to the idea that when we strengthen our brains overall, it helps with age-related changes. Studies have shown that things like brain volume loss don’t affect some people’s cognition nearly as much as you’d expect — and that’s because they’ve built greater cognitive reserve over time. 

You can think of cognitive reserve as the brain’s backup plan. When one part of the brain is impaired, other parts can step in to perform the same function. The more cognitive reserve you build — for example, by learning a new skill or engaging in mentally challenging tasks — the better off you’re going to be.” 

Taking on a new challenge often comes with fear and nerves, and for Hemsworth, stepping on stage to drum in front of a live audience meant facing performance anxiety head-on. Anxiety, Dr. Shankar notes, can boost memory, focus, and decision-making. 

“He definitely had nerves and adrenaline,” she said. “We know from the first season of Limitless that stress can actually be helpful — it can get you into a heightened state of alertness and signal to the brain that what you’re about to do is important. I was most concerned with making sure Chris had put in enough time and energy practicing in advance so he could feel confident when he went on stage. 

One of the tools I equipped him with was something called visualization. Given how demanding his life is — with filming projects, traveling, press tours, and raising three kids — I wanted to give him a flexible tool he could use anywhere, even without access to a drum kit. Visualization is where you imagine doing an activity in your mind’s eye. You use your imagination to create a mental movie in which you rehearse the sequence.” 

Dr. Shankar leaves viewers with this message for anyone who feels intimidated or “too old” to learn new skills: 

“Reminding ourselves that failure is not only a natural part of the experience but actually a critical part of the learning process will hopefully motivate people. It’s never too late to shape and strengthen our brains in ways that can have positive consequences for our everyday lives and our future. It is challenging to get out of your routines, but the fact that our brains remain plastic over the course of our lives is a gift we should take advantage of.” 

Through Brain Power, Dr. Shankar and Hemsworth show that with the right mindset, tools, and practice, it’s never too late to learn something new — and the brain might just thank you for it.