2x World Cup Winner and 3x Olympic Medalist Julie Foudy discusses the importance of finding joy, championing the future of women's sports, and unlocking the true power of being an extraordinary teammate and parent. “Success comes when you are a great teammate and work your ass off. People want to be around you and they know that you got their back. You're in the foxhole with them. That's the greatest place they could be, because you're going to take care of them and vice versa.” Julie Foudy's li...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Paul Annacone, legendary tennis coach to Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, offers his approach to collaborative coaching and a guide to playing, thinking, and being the best you can be. “How good are you on your average days? My mantra is: Every player has a handful of great matches during their career, and a handful of garbage. The rest is who you are. Show me who you are in the middle.” More on Paul: 20-time Grand Slam winner, Roger Federer and 14-time Grand Slam winner, Pete Sampras, have at le...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 19 min
This episode of Finding Mastery features the one and only, Apolo Ohno. A 2019 inductee into the Olympic Hall of Fame, Apolo still holds the title for most decorated American at the Winter Olympics with 8 medals as a short track speed skater. However, after hanging up his skates in 2010, Apolo found himself struggling with purpose, and confused about how he was going to navigate his transition from sport. His bestselling book, Hard Pivot: Embrace Change, Find Purpose, Show Up Fully, details this ...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 18 min
This week’s conversation is with Phil Kornachuk, a highly-trained military expert with 22 years of service in the U.S. Army Special Ops Command. After serving with both the 2nd Battalion Rangers and the Green Berets, being deployed 12 times, and receiving a Silver Star – the 3rd highest award for valor in combat – Phil decided to leave his military career behind and channel his experience into a new kind of mission: helping people and businesses forge high performance leadership skills.&nb...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 35 min
We're back! And on a Monday! Volume 7 of our Ask Me Anything series... let's do this. High performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais jumps into the Mastery Lab to answer YOUR questions about the art of listening, flow state, how (and when) to be vulnerable, navigating conflict in intimate relationships, the major problems with the self-help industry, and so much more. We’re stoked to announce that we’re going to be splitting the Ask Me Anything (AMA) series off from our regular Wednesday podc...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 10 min
What sets humans apart? Technology and healthcare futurist Jamie Metzl dives into the intersection of artificial intelligence and humanity, why learning and creativity are crucial, and what it really means to be optimistic. This week’s conversation is with leading geopolitical expert and technology futurist, Jamie Metzl, a returning guest to the podcast we’re so happy to welcome back. Jamie boasts degrees from Brown (undergrad), Harvard (law), and Oxford (Ph.D), but that may just be the le...
May 17, 2023•1 hr
Called the “Einsteins of Love,” Drs. John and Julie Gottman share their insights and strategies for building love and long-lasting relationships, offering a deep dive into the science of what makes relationships work - and thrive. John and Julie have been studying love for over five decades; they’ve compiled data on thousands of couples, all in service of one goal: to identify the building blocks of a good relationship. Their latest book, The Love Prescription , is a New York Times bestsell...
May 10, 2023•1 hr
This week’s conversation is with Steven Kotler, a best-selling author, journalist, and one of the world’s leading experts on flow and human performance. Steven has spent three decades teaching people how to achieve peak performance, and of late, putting his own advice into practice as documented in his newest book, Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad. In it, Steven challenges us to test our own limits as he himself sets out to become an expert skier at age 53. Using his understand...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 10 min
There is power in your pain, but how do you use it? Is narcissism required to be successful? Why is vulnerability seen as a weakness? This week, we’re really excited to share the sixth installment of our Ask Me Anything (AMA) series. It’s such a blast filming these and answering your questions. On AMA #6, we dive into some very real topics like the power of pain as it ignites both purpose and growth, if narcissism is necessary for success, how underdogs make for good company, and why a sim...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 12 min
Why is talking about money so taboo? How does money affect our relationships? What role does psychology play in personal finance? Can you master your money? Ramit Sethi, a personal finance expert and best-selling author, joins the podcast this week to share his insights on the psychology of money, what living your “rich life” means, and the importance of creating systems to achieve financial success. Ramit Sethi is an American entrepreneur and self-proclaimed financial adviser. The founder of Gr...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 26 min
George Mumford, a.k.a. The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer, digs into the dynamics of successful teams, the formula for unlocking your potential, and how dark moments can lead to our greatest revelations. George Mumford is a renowned author, coach, speaker, and elite performance expert. George is a legend amongst… well, more legends. Over his career, George’s clientele has consisted of world’s bests like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal, countless other NBA sta...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 11 min
While there are no secrets to living the Good Life, Dr. Robert Waldinger is one of the most - if not THE most - qualified individuals to speak on what living the Good Life really means and how we can all build more meaningful connections. This conversation is so meaningful. Pulling on 85 years of research, we dive deep into what truly makes us happy, fulfilled, and resilient in the face of life's challenges. From the power of relationships and the importance of purpose to the art of mindfulness ...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Broadcaster, journalist and endurance athlete Charlie Webster details her near death experience, her process of post-traumatic growth, and how it shaped her perspective on perseverance, mental health and the motivation to keep pushing forward. Charlie is incredible, and her body of work is… extensive, to say the least. She was the first woman to host a televised Boxing World Heavyweight Title Fight, has hosted or produced at least seven different podcasts, created a TV documentary for BBC, has r...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Violence and virtue. The Goodness Paradox. Why are humans capable of being the nicest, but also the nastiest, of all species? Join host Dr. Michael Gervais as he sits down with Richard Wrangham, biological anthropologist and author of "The Goodness Paradox," to discuss the intricate relationship between violence and virtues, and how understanding this connection can lead to a more compassionate and just society. Dr. Wrangham shares his research on the evolution of human behavior, challenging com...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Dr. Mike sits down with actor Michael Rosenbaum to answer YOUR questions on psychological safety, therapy, motivation, passion, and so much more. Welcome back to another Ask Me Anything on Finding Mastery… I keep saying it - but it’s an honor to answer the questions you’re all sending in. I’m really excited about this one. Michael Rosenbaum - a friend of Finding Mastery - has dropped in for today’s AMA. Michael is an actor, comedian, podcaster, and all-around incredible human. He’s famousl...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Former Navy SEAL Command Master Chief, Pete Naschak, details what it means to be a resilience shepherd, how high performing teams operate, and the importance of an adaptable mindset. More: Pete served for 21 years as a Navy SEAL, where he held various operational & leadership positions and participated in military contingency operations around the world. Now, Pete has taken what he learned as a leader of one of the most elite & high-performing military units, and founded Performanc...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Paralympic athlete and 17-time medalist Oksana Masters shares her extraordinary journey of perseverance and triumph - from a life-saving adoption to winning Paralympic gold - offering insight and inspiration for anyone seeking to overcome obstacles and discover their own superpowers. More: Oksana Masters is a 17x Paralympic Medalist. Oksana has competed in each of the last six Paralympic Games (both summer & winter), and has brought home medals in four different sports – rowing, cross-countr...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Baseball America’s MLB Coach of the Year, Donnie Ecker, shares his heart-forward approach to coaching and leadership. Donnie Ecker is a highly respected and accomplished Major League Baseball (MLB) coach who is entering his second season as bench coach and offensive coordinator for the Texas Rangers. Before his tenure with the Rangers, Donnie was recognized as Baseball America’s 2021 MLB Coach of the Year when he helped lead the San Francisco Giants to a franchise record 107 wins and 241 h...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 38 min
"I learned how to live, at a death camp." Dr. Edith Eger, a Holocaust survivor, clinical psychologist, and best-selling author shares the powerful lessons she learned from surviving Auschwitz and how she inspires individuals to live a life of fulfillment, happiness, and freedom. More on Dr. Eger: At the age of 16, Edie and her family were sent to Auschwitz – Edie’s parents were killed not long after arriving… but with bravery and incredible courage, Edie helped keep her and her sisters alive. Af...
Feb 15, 2023•52 min
This week, we’re really excited to share another installment of our Ask Me Anything series. In this episode, we cover confidence, anxiety, resilience, self-talk, the art of feedback, and much more. For this AMA, we brought in a friend of Finding Mastery’s to help facilitate the conversation — O'Neil Cespedes. O’Neil is an actor, an improv artist, a former member of the Groundlings Sunday Company, and he's got an epic new podcast called 3 Black Guys on a Couch . O'Neil brings a fresh perspective ...
Feb 08, 2023•55 min
This week’s conversation is with Dave Asprey , an entrepreneur & tech innovator, four-time New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcast host, and pioneer of the Biohacking movement. For those of you who have listened for a while, you know I’ve had issues with the term “hacking” – and at the same time, I’m fascinated by folks who create and disrupt. Having devoted decades of his life to elevating human performance and creating significant brands like Bulletproof and Upgrade ...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 23 min
This week, we’re doing something a little different – we are excited to re-release a fresh version of our 2019 conversation with the US World Cup and Olympic soccer legend, Abby Wambach. So – why are we re-releasing an episode? And why this conversation in particular? Because transitions are an increasingly prominent part of modern life. As the pace of change accelerates, so does our need to be able to eloquently adapt and adjust. And Abby has demonstrated mastery here. She is ...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, Father Greg Boyle, guides us through the Homeboy Way - a life full of love, clarity, and unshakable goodness. More on Father Greg: Father Greg Boyle is an American Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world. Each year over 10,000 former gang members and previously incarcerated people come through Homeboy Industries’ doors where they are given hope, training, ...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Paul Rabil is back! (on the podcast) In this week's conversation, legendary professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil opens about his mindset, his inner critic, starting the PLL, and what it takes to be the best in the world at your craft. More on Paul: Paul Rabil is a former professional lacrosse player and co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). You might remember Paul from his first appearance on Finding Mastery back in 2019 – that’s episode #167 if you want to check it out. For ...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 40 min
In this week's episode, author and journalist Anne Helen Petersen covers some of society’s most pressing workplace trends - like the burnout epidemic and the transition to hybrid work - and how we can all thrive in the modern workplace. This is a conversation for employers, employees, and managers alike on how we can optimize remote work – and re-examine what “work” means in the first place. More on Anne Helen: Anne Helen Petersen is a journalist, author, and cultural critic known for her writin...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 13 min
The Grandmaster of Memory, Nelson Dellis, details why memory is an important skill to hone in on, and how to do just that. More on Nelson: This week’s conversation is with Nelson Dellis, a competitive memory athlete who is widely recognized as one of the world's leading experts in the fields of memory and mental fitness. Nelson is a 5X USA Memory Champion, a Grand Master of Memory, and holds several world records for memorization – including memorizing the most decks of cards in 30 minutes (9.02...
Dec 28, 2022•1 hr 6 min
This week’s conversation is with Dr. Michael Rucker, an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, and charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mike for about two decades and I’m stoked to introduce him and his work to you. A former corporate executive, Michael found himself burnt out, unfulfilled in his career, and as he states “over-optimized in the pursuit of happiness”. So, he decided to make a change. He quit h...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Here's the final Ask Me Anything (AMA) of 2022 with Dr. Michael Gervais! A couple weeks back, we took questions from our community on how to best support your life ambitions, resolutions, habits, and goals as you move into 2023. Your questions rocked. Dr. Mike was excited to jump into the studio to film this and we hope this supports your new year. Stay tuned as we'll be back in 2023 with more high-performance and wellbeing content. Let us know—what questions would you like Dr. Mike to answer? L...
Dec 19, 2022•48 min
This week’s conversation is with Dr. Sheila Ohlsson Walker, a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University and a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Sheila’s work and research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, genetics, psychology and social science, with a focus on how we can create contexts in sport, school and nature settings that unlock the potential of our youth. A former profes...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 34 min
This week’s conversation is with Paul Assaiante, one of the most decorated coaches in college sports history. For those unfamiliar, Paul is a legend – he is a two-time Olympic coach of the year, the “winningest coach in college sports history”, an inductee of the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame, and has won 17 NCAA championship titles at Trinity College where he is still the head coach of the Men’s Squash team today. You might also recognize Paul’s name from his first appearance on Finding ...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min
