What happens when athletes translate their competitive edge and discipline from sports into the business world? Today, we have an extraordinary guest—Jeff Byers. Jeff is a former NFL player turned entrepreneur, cofounder, and CEO of Momentous, a leading company in human performance nutrition. With a unique background in professional sports and business, Jeff is passionate about translating the discipline and resilience learned on the field into strategies for health, wellbeing, and high pe...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Today, we are stoked to share Volume 25 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything. Joining us, as always, is our co-host O’Neil Cespedes, and today’s AMA is a little bit different – instead of having O’Neil read your questions, we had you call in to ask questions yourselves. We loved this format, it was great to hear some of your voices, and we dove into some really fun concepts like: Combating burnout at the end of the year Building habits and the importance of morning routines How to build self-tru...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 9 min
What if the pursuit of happiness is making us miserable? On the podcast today to help us answer that question is Dr. Arthur Brooks. Arthur is a Harvard professor, social scientist, and bestselling author known for his work on well-being, leadership, and human flourishing. His journey is anything but traditional—starting out as a professional musician before transitioning to academia, where he’s become a leading voice in the study of happiness… But as you’ll hear in this episode, the path o...
Nov 13, 2024•2 hr 30 min
How do we navigate all the changes that come with radical growth – the fortunes, the fame, social challenges…all while staying true to ourselves? Today’s guest is Deryck Whibley, lead singer and guitarist for the iconic punk rock band Sum 41 . Over two decades, Sum 41 has sold over 15 million records, earned Grammy nominations, and won numerous awards, including a Juno for Group of the Year. Known for hits like "Fat Lip," "In Too Deep," and "Still Waiting," Deryck and his band have defined punk ...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 11 min
What makes rational people adopt irrational beliefs? And, what can we do to bridge the growing divide in society? Here to help us answer those questions is today’s guest, Dr. Dan Ariely. Dan is a renowned behavioral economist, Duke University professor, and author, known for his groundbreaking research on human decision-making, irrationality, and the psychology behind beliefs and behavior. I’ve admired Dan’s work for a long time – his insights into how stress, cognition, and social factors...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Wondering how to create time for your life priorities when it’s not part of your employer’s culture? Then this is the AMA for you. Back once again is my co-host O’Neil Cespedes, and in today’s conversation, we get into topics like: How to design your own life based on *your* priorities Bridging the gap between who we were in our younger years and who we’re becoming. The hidden dangers in giving – and asking for – advice. How to fully experience the range of your emotions, from joy to sadne...
Oct 28, 2024•57 min
Today’s episode is a special one. It wasn’t recorded in our studio, but live from Balboa Theater in San Diego for a Live Talks LA event, where I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with one of the most influential thinkers of our time: Malcolm Gladwell. This conversation was so much fun – we explored his writing process, the lessons he learned from his father about effort and resilience, and big questions about the future—like the real impact of AI and the time it takes to fully understan...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 16 min
What if your biggest risk in life is playing it safe? Today, I am stoked to welcome back to the podcast one of the most dynamic voices in the creative world, Chase Jarvis. Chase is an award-winning photographer, entrepreneur, and the founder of CreativeLive, a leading online learning platform that has supported millions of creators worldwide. As a thought leader in the creative industry, Chase is dedicated to helping people unlock their potential through creativity, risk-taking, and ...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min
How did studying military dolphins lead to a breakthrough in human health? Our guest today, Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, is a scientist, entrepreneur, and veterinarian with a remarkable story – one that begins with dolphins and leads to groundbreaking discoveries about human health. Her research with Navy dolphins led to the discovery of C15, an essential fatty acid with the potential to revolutionize how we think about healthy aging and longevity. I’ve been fascinated by the role of fatty acids i...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 25 min
How can something as simple as your breath unlock greater resilience, enhance performance, and transform how you navigate high-stress moments? Our guest today is Brian Mackenzie, a human performance expert and pioneer in the field of breathwork, endurance, and stress adaptation. And he’s back for the second time on the podcast. As the founder of Shift Adapt, Brian's innovative training methods blend breathing protocols, movement, and mindset strategies to optimize health, performance, and ...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Ever wonder how top leaders shape organizational culture or how to turn criticism into fuel for success? You're in for a treat. Back once again is my friend and co-host, O’Neil Cespedes – these AMAs are some of our favorite episodes. Your questions are always insightful, and allow us to dig deeper into the core principles we discuss here every week. In today’s conversation, O’Neil and I explore: How to navigate the tension between staying grounded and pushing your limits How leaders define and g...
Sep 30, 2024•53 min
Today, we’re venturing deep into the wild with someone whose life’s work challenges us to reconnect with the essence of nature and, in doing so, rediscover our own humanity. Our guest today is Craig Foster—a renowned filmmaker, photographer, and naturalist whose immersive experiences in the wild have captivated millions. Craig is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking documentary My Octopus Teacher , which not only won an Academy Award but also sparked a global conversation about our relation...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 25 min
Today, we’re diving deep with someone who redefines what it means to excel — the legend, Gabby Reece. Gabby was Nike’s first female spokesperson, she’s a successful entrepreneur with her husband Laird Hamilton, a best-selling author, and a former supermodel named one of the "Five Most Beautiful Women in the World" by Elle Magazine. As if that wasn’t enough, she also played professional beach volleyball for five seasons – two of which she was named the tour’s Top Offensive Player. Gabby has...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Kids who grow up playing American football dream of doing a few things: winning the Heisman Trophy; being a top NFL draft pick; winning a Super Bowl, and… in their wildest dreams… perhaps even winning a Super Bowl MVP. Our guest today is one of the rare few who made all of those dreams a reality – Desmond Howard. Desmond’s career is a highlight reel of jaw-dropping plays at the University of Michigan and in the NFL—a journey that’s left an indelible mark on the sport. And now, he is a prol...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min
There's an age-old question: Are humans fundamentally good or evil? Are we hardwired towards greed and cynicism... or towards compassion and goodness? Our guest today, Dr. Jamil Zaki, is a leading psychologist and empathy researcher who has dedicated his career to exploring this question. He believes that humans are fundamentally good – and he has the science to back it up. Jamil is at the forefront of research at Stanford's Social Neuroscience Lab, where he's exploring how we understand emotion...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 19 min
When was the last time you felt completely free? Not just “happy”.. but you felt a profound sense of clarity and calm from within? Dr. Emma Seppälä has spent over a decade proving that this state of inner freedom – which she refers to as “sovereignty” – is not only achievable but essential for our wellbeing. Emma is a psychologist, best-selling author, and leading researcher in the science of happiness and social connection. As the director of the Women's Leadership Program at the Yale School of...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 19 min
A few months back, we recorded our first ever AMA in front of a live audience in New York City. The energy in the room was incredible, and it brought a whole new level of depth and spontaneity to the conversation. Your favorite co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, and I dove headfirst into the questions that matter most to you. And this time, it wasn’t just us talking—our audience had a chance to steer the conversation in real time. We dug into some fascinating topics, including: The delicate balance...
Aug 26, 2024•2 hr 32 min
Why do some memories seem to stick with us forever while others just… fade away? The ideal person to help us wrestle with this question is Dr. Charan Ranganath, a renowned memory researcher with a unique approach to improving our memories. Instead of working to remember more , he suggests we should work to remember better. Charan has spent more than 25 years as a professor of psychology and neuroscience, unraveling the complexities of memory. He’s a pioneer in understanding how our brains allow ...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 27 min
"Love is not a feeling, it's an ability." - Sharon Salzberg Can we really change the world by changing how we relate to our own thoughts? Our guest this week, Sharon Salzberg, has spent five decades proving we can. Sharon is a pioneer in meditation and New York Times bestselling author who brought mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation into the mainstream in America nearly 50 years ago. Sharon’s work has guided millions toward deeper self-compassion and interconnectedness. She co-founded the...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 1 min
All good things must come to an end… In our closing episode of The Game Inside The Games , gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais reflect on the most inspiring moments of the series and The Games in Paris. They discuss pivotal stories from Paris – from Simone Biles and Suni Lee’s comeback to Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç’s casual precision, Noah Lyles’ photo finish, Katie Ledecky’s dominance, and how Stephen Nedoroscik captured the world’s attention...
Aug 09, 2024•28 min
It’s moments before the biggest competition of your life… you’re rattled by something your coach just said… you have one minute alone to yourself before go time. You look in the mirror… What do you say to yourself to get in the zone – to ground yourself – before the race begins? On Day 13 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with Summer Sanders, a two-time gold medalist and renowned television commentator. They delve into the evolution of the Olympic...
Aug 07, 2024•28 min
Rowing is a sport that brings the mind into play like no other. When they are maxing out their physical capacity, completely mentally drained, and have little left in the tank – how do they summon the internal resources to push through? On Day 12 of The Game Inside the Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with rowing legends – and brothers – Martin and Valent Sinkovic, who recently won their third gold medal here in Paris. The Sinkovic brothers discuss their thrillin...
Aug 06, 2024•35 min
You work your whole life towards one goal… and you come up short by a fraction of a second. How do you bounce back from that? How do you move forward? On Day 11 of The Game Inside The Games , gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais explore the psychological and emotional complexities that athletes face when they fall just short of a gold medal or podium. They discuss the flood of emotions that can overwhelm an athlete in pivotal moments, the import...
Aug 05, 2024•28 min
In the high-pressure world of elite sport, the unwavering support of loved ones can be both a powerful boost and a perilous distraction. In this episode of The Game Inside The Games , Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais explore the significant impact that family and friends can have on an athlete’s performance at The Games. They discuss how the presence of loved ones, while a vital source of encouragement, can also become a significant distraction that impacts focus and performance. For athlet...
Aug 04, 2024•28 min
Rejection, resilience, and unexpected glory: a tale that proves it's never too late to rewrite your story. On Day 9 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with Alev Kelter, a remarkable athlete who not only just won the first medal in USA Women’s Rugby history, but has represented the U.S. in three different sports. Alev shares her journey from facing the heartbreak of being cut from the U.S. Ice Hockey team to discovering a new passion in rugby, competing i...
Aug 03, 2024•30 min
“It took me 16 years to heal from being an Olympian.” That is a remarkable statement. On day 8 of T he Game Inside The Games , Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with former Olympian swimmer Katie Hoff to explore the pivotal moments of her Olympian experience. Katie reflects on her journey from a young prodigy to a two-time Olympian, discussing the psychological challenges she faced, including the intense pressure to succeed and the impact of bullying. Katie shares her ex...
Aug 02, 2024•28 min
It’s time to meet the moment. In Part 2 of this riveting conversation on The Game Inside The Games , Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais continue their deep dive into the psychological intricacies of women's gymnastics. Building on their previous discussion about the preparation and lead up to the Women’s All Around Final, this episode focuses on the different components of this iconic event and the mental challenges unique to each apparatus. Nastia reveals the intense psychological and ...
Aug 01, 2024•30 min
For an Olympian gymnast, a lifetime of preparation leads to a single event – an event that totals just four exhilarating minutes of performance, expression, and competition… an event that will either make or break their wildest dreams. On Day 6 of The Game Inside The Games, gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais uncover the intense psychological landscape of one sport’s most iconic events – the Women's All-Around Final in gymnastics. They ex...
Jul 31, 2024•23 min
How do Olympians balance the tension between being roommates and supportive teammates one day - and fierce rivals the next? On day 5 of The Game Inside The Games , Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais break down the psychological conflict athletes face when striving for their individual success while also supporting the success of their team - and offer a way forward. Nastia recounts her own experience with teammate Shawn Johnson, revealing how their close bond was tested as they competed...
Jul 30, 2024•26 min
Are elite athletes a good population to teach us about mental health? Despite what coverage in the media might suggest… YES! Elite athletes have so much to teach us about how to work from the inside out. On Day 4 of The Game Inside The Games, five-time medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais explore the topic of mental health in the context of one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. They discuss the importance of mental skills training, the evolving...
Jul 29, 2024•25 min
