Krzysztof Piekarski offers a unique brand of personal consulting. He combines deep philosophical knowledge, psychological sophistication and Zen-infused guidance to help solve problems. He articulates his thoughts with empathy and extreme precision. He is warm and humorous and an excellent listener. Krzysztof's guidance includes suggestions for reading and watching material that range from YouTube clips to Dylan lyrics to classic literature. He has a unique ability to flow with the process and help one intelligently struggle through a problem in dynamic, interesting and even entertaining ways. For example, in my experience he has suggested essays by Camus, interviews with noted philosophers, and an episode of a cooking show that all contained bits of wisdom which were strikingly relevant to issues I was facing. If you're seeking clarity, or just more effective ways of navigating the complexities I strongly recommend working with him. This is not the run-of-the-mill therapist spitting back empty cliches or throwing questions back at you, "well, what do you think?" To work with Krzysztof is to engage in real conversations about critical questions with a great mind and truly unique personality and vision of life.
Krzysztof Piekarski
PhD • ANALYST • WRITER • PHILOSOPHER• PROFESSOR
Philosophy for the mind.
Strategy for the markets.
Transform
Break through mental barriers. Reinvent who you are.
Invest
Beat the indexes. Build lasting wealth.
Become Who You
Are.
Who you are is not your fault, but it is your responsibility. A sign of growth is having more tolerance for discomfort but less tolerance for barriers that inhibit love.
Krzysztof uses his training in Hakomi, Internal-Family Systems, jiu-jitsu, endurance running, Non-Violent Communication, and Zen as a way of seeing through our habits and moving into freedom.
Let's explore!
What Others Say
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I came for productivity tips. I left questioning the nature of my existence. Worth it?
Working with Krzysztof helped me break through years of mental barriers in just weeks.
I finally stopped making excuses and started living. Best investment I ever made.
He made me stare into the abyss. The abyss blinked first. 4 stars.
The conversations we had completely changed how I see my own potential.
Amor fati? More like amor Krzysztof. I now love my fate of paying for a life coach.
I made the leap of faith. Landed on my face. Got back up. 10/10 would existentially commit again.
HOW WE WORK
TOGETHER
Three ways to engage. Each one starts with a conversation.
01
1:1 PHILOSOPHICAL COACHING
Break through mental barriers using Hakomi, IFS, Zen, and Nietzschean philosophy. Not therapy — a rigorous partnership in becoming who you are.
02
PORTFOLIO & OPTIONS CONSULTING
Equity analysis, options strategy, and risk management. Beat the indexes with discipline, not luck.
03
SPEAKING & WORKSHOPS
Keynotes, corporate workshops, and group sessions on philosophy, character development, and the psychology of investing.
BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL
Free 15-minute call. No obligations. Let's see if we're a fit.
— or send a message —
LATEST FIRE PHILOSOPHY POSTS
Zen, Nietzsche & how to live
Free Guide5 PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES
5 PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES
THAT CHANGED MY TRADING
01Why Nietzsche's amor fati makes you a better risk manager
02The Zen principle that eliminates revenge trading
03Nietzsche's thought experiment for trade selection
04The paradox of making more by caring less
05How to hold both sides of every trade
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Reading List
BOOKS THAT SHAPED
MY THINKING
// HOVER TO INSPECT. CLICK TO DECRYPT.
THINKING, FAST AND SLOW
4,000 WEEKS
PHILOSOPHICAL MEDITATIONS ON ZEN BUDDHISM
THE SIX PERFECTIONS
MEDITATIONS
DEEP WORK
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MONEY
THE GAY SCIENCE
THUS SPOKE ZARATHUSTRA
BEING AND TIME
INFINITE JEST
GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
ULYSSES
WHEN WE CEASE TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD
THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV
MOBY-DICK
ZEN MIND, BEGINNER'S MIND
Featured
Reason to Believe
Bruce Springsteen's meditation on faith and perseverance.
Seen a man standin' over a dead dog
By the highway in a ditch
He's lookin' down kinda puzzled
Pokin' that dog with a stick
Got his car door flung open
He's standin' out on Highway 31
Like if he stood there long enough
That dog'd get up and run
Struck me kinda funny
Seemed kinda funny sir to me
Still at the end of every hard day
People find some reason to believe
About Krzysztof Piekarski
Krzysztof Piekarski is a philosopher, investor, and writer based in Austin, Texas. He holds a PhD in English Literature from the University of Texas at Austin, where he wrote his dissertation on Buddhist Philosophy in the Work of David Foster Wallace—exploring how Wallace's fiction embodies Buddhist principles of mindfulness, suffering, and the critique of self.
He is the founder of Fire Philosophy, a Substack publication exploring Nietzsche, Zen Buddhism, and the philosophy of living well, co-authored with Dale Wright (Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Occidental College).
In the world of finance, Krzysztof is co-host of Wall Street Wildlife, an investing podcast and YouTube channel where he and Luke "Badger" Hallard teach professional-level options trading and stock market investing strategies designed to help investors beat the indexes and build lasting wealth.
His approach integrates insights from Hakomi (somatic psychotherapy), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Zen meditation, and Nietzschean philosophy to help people break through mental barriers, cultivate character, and become who they truly are.
