Do other people’s expectations make or break an athlete’s Olympic dream? On day 3 of The Game Inside The Games , Dr. Michael Gervais and Nastia Liukin sit down with one of the most decorated athletes in skiing history, Lindsey Vonn, to explore how expectations impact performance. Lindsey shares her journey as a world-class skier, discussing the mental and emotional challenges she faced throughout her career. She delves into how she used negativity and doubt from others as fuel for her succ...
Jul 28, 2024•19 min
Imagine if every email you sent – every phone call you took – was scrutinized, critiqued, and scored by the person who writes your paycheck. In day 2 of The Game Inside The Games , Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais explore the unique psychological challenges athletes face in judged sports like gymnastics. They discuss how the constant evaluation by judges – even during pre-competition training sessions – impacts athletes’ performances, mental states, and ultimately their ability to pod...
Jul 27, 2024•23 min
WELCOME TO... The Game Inside the Games, brought to you right from the heart of Paris. In the premiere episode of The Game Inside The Games , five-time Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais explore the psychological challenges athletes face at the start of the Olympics. If you had the biggest exam of your life tomorrow… would you go to a party the night before? Many viewers may not realize, but this is a critical decision many Olympians face w...
Jul 26, 2024•24 min
Our guest today is back for the third time – and with Ryan Holiday, each conversation seems to be better than the last. For those who aren’t familiar, Ryan is a bestselling author, host of the Daily Stoic podcast, and a thought leader who has become a leading advocate for modern Stoicism. For years now, Ryan has been on a journey to reveal how the teachings of ancient Stoic philosophers can integrate into our modern lives. We’re here today to discuss his latest book, "Right Thing, Right Now" – w...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Blackjack! Welcome to Volume 21 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything. We’re back once again with our entertaining and insightful co-host – O’Neil Cespedes – and in today’s conversation, we explore topics like: How to show our kids that we’re invested in their success without pressuring them The real meaning of “potential” and how to nurture it The dangers of cognitive bias Finding a healthy level of FOPO, and avoiding FOPO’s dark side How to move forward from trauma without looking b...
Jul 22, 2024•50 min
Today, we have a really special episode that takes us to the heart of high-stakes performance and leadership. Our Finding Mastery team recently had the incredible privilege of embarking on a unique mission: we flew to Japan and then took a cargo plane out to the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier currently patrolling the volatile waters of the South China Sea. Imagine being one of nearly 6,000 sailors and pilots on board, operating in an environment where tensions...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Today, we've got a really special conversation for you. Our guest today is a real trailblazer… A boundary breaker in the world of ballet… An incredibly special human… She went from living in motel rooms to performing on the world’s biggest stages… She is the legendary Misty Copeland. Misty’s journey from living in motel rooms to becoming the first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre is nothing short of inspiring. Misty started ballet at the late age of thirtee...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 8 min
If you’re familiar with professional hockey, you likely know the name Zdeno Chara (also known as, ‘Big Zee’). He’s the legendary 6-foot-9 defenseman, enforcer, and team captain of the Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins who was a dominant force in the NHL for an incredible 24-season career. He also represented his home country of Slovakia in numerous world championships and three Olympics. What you might not know is that humility, kindness, and leading by example are the cornerstones of his leader...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 18 min
What would we do without all of our modern conveniences? Things like instant access to food, water, clothing, information, and entertainment. Science, chemistry, and technology have made our lives bigger, better, faster and - well, more convenient . The question is… at what cost? Returning to the podcast this week is Darin Olien, health entrepreneur, activist, podcaster, co-host of the number one Netflix docuseries Down to Earth with Zac Efron , and author of bestsellers like SuperLife and...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 19 min
What defines a true champion? Is it winning? Or… is it a way of living? While winning games and striving to be the best are parts of it, there's so much more beneath the surface. It’s not just about the technical skills honed through relentless practice—rep after rep, day after day. Exceptional athletes are forged through a deeper, more holistic approach. In this episode of the Finding Mastery podcast, we dive into the essence of becoming your best self with Dr. Jerry Lynch – a renowned author, ...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Happy Monday! Today we’re excited to share Volume 20 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything. As always, we have so much fun during these AMAs – we love these conversations because we get to wrestle with the questions that matter most to you… and they inspire personal introspection in us as well. They’re incredible. We’re back with our co-host – O’Neil Cespedes – and in today’s we explore: The roses - and thorns - of vulnerability and openness How to use the power of your imagination Navigating cha...
Jun 17, 2024•59 min
What does it mean to have power, courage and integrity? We throw those words around a lot when talking about athletes or people we admire. Many times it’s justified – but how many truly possess these traits even when the chips are down? Today on the podcast is a human that embodies those three words fully. Her name is Kara Goucher. You might recognize her as an Olympic runner, the third place finisher in the Boston and New York Marathons, and ranked as one of the fastest female dista...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Movement—however you do it—is an essential part of being human. And I believe being able to move well, for as long as possible, is a staple of living “the good life.” That’s why I am excited to introduce a guest today who is committed to helping people do just that – Scott Perkins. Scott is the Founder & CEO of pliability – a company that is helping people move better ________ through their yin yoga inspired mobility training. However, Scott was not always known as the “fitness guy” – ...
Jun 05, 2024•53 min
We all know about FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out. We’re scrolling through our social media feeds, and there it is: post after post of a friend who’s somewhere exotic, having a great time, or at an exciting new job… and we’re not. We can’t help but compare our lives with people who seem to be doing so much more. The result can be an uptick in anxiousness, distress, grinding to “keep up” and sometimes FOMO can even stop us from taking action…that feeling of being overwhelmed. FOMO – the ac...
May 29, 2024•58 min
Can profitable businesses change the world for good? John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, has proven the answer is a resounding YES… for the last four decades . John grew a single ‘hippy grocery store’ in Austin, Texas, into a global chain with $22 billion in annual sales and 540 locations worldwide. And he did it all with an unwavering commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, showing us all what’s possible when entrepreneurs embrace positive values and transformative ...
May 22, 2024•58 min
In this 19th installment of our Ask Me Anything with high performance psychologist Dr, Michael Gervais, we explore topics like: - How to re-define failure - Why facing your deepest pains can be transformative - How to overcome defensiveness in order to establish meaningful connections - Why parents need to focus on more than their child's academic achievements And so much more… We love these conversations and it’s because we get to wrestle with the questions that matter most to you. They’re incr...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Imagine what it takes to land an $80 million fighter jet on a moving target — in the middle of the ocean — at night. The extreme precision, split-second timing, and unwavering focus required for such a feat are beyond the grasp of ordinary experience. Our guest today, Commander Kristen Findlay (née Hansen), knows precisely what it takes to land an F/A-18 Super Hornet on an aircraft carrier – in rough seas and in the dark, where every decision can have monumental consequences. Kristen is a distin...
May 15, 2024•2 hr 33 min
Does hypnosis really work? That word has become a bit taboo in scientific circles. It brings to mind magicians, black and white spinning spirals, and traveling sideshows and cheap tricks. “You are getting very sleepy” does not have a strong scientific foundation. Or… does it? In truth and practice, hypnosis can be so much more. That’s why I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Dr. David Spiegel, professor of Psychiatry at the Stanford School of Medicine and researcher in psycho-oncol...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Today we have a very special conversation. As we chart our path through life, there are those rare anchors that help to hold us steady and also point us to new horizons. In this special conversation, I have the privilege of introducing you to my mentor and someone who has been a guiding force in the lives of countless individuals across a spectrum of industries for over forty years. Gary DeBlasio has this incredible knack for unlocking potential in people. It’s incredible how he does it. A...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Formula One racing may seem like a 'sit-down' sport to some, but the reality is that race car drivers are anything but sedentary. World-class F1 auto racing pushes the limits of human endurance, focus, reaction time, and risk – requiring competitors to face incredibly intense physical and mental challenges. In the open cockpit of a Formula One car, drivers (or “pilots” as they are often known) must maintain razor-sharp concentration at speeds approaching 220 miles per hour and withstand G-forces...
May 01, 2024•2 hr 43 min
Think back to the most pivotal moments of your life… What parts of you did you bring forward? Which parts did you hold back? How did these experiences shape your way of being? These questions lie at the heart of our conversation today with Nastia Liukin, a gold medal gymnast whose name is etched in history for winning the All-Around title at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Beyond her monumental achievements – including tying the record for the most gymnastics medals won by an American in a single Oly...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min
How good are you at really communicating? In a world drowning in words, how do you make your words matter? I'm not talking about small talk or working a room or the gift of gab. I'm talking about the kind of communication that works on a deeper level – a level where we truly connect, challenge, grow with, and inspire each other. Back on the podcast this week is Charles Duhigg, who's spent a career in journalism diving into what makes humans do what they do – and today, he’s here to talk about wh...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Explore powerful strategies to conquer public speaking anxiety with Dr. Michael Gervais and O'Neil Cespedes in this insightful AMA episode, delving into personal growth, purpose-based identity, and the untapped potential of the human mind. We also explore topics like: Practical insights for managing anxiety and nerves How to be your own tuning fork of excellence Creating space in your life for experimentation and exploration Putting yourself in positions of power in your own life How to sh...
Apr 15, 2024•50 min
With every season of sport, we witness various feats of greatness -- and getting to witness a true dynasty (and what it takes to get there) can be once in a generation. That’s why I am super excited to share a fresh version of our previous conversation with the 2024 National Championship winning basketball coach, Dawn Staley. As you might know, this past Sunday, Dawn led South Carolina to their 3rd national championship in the past 7 years to top off a perfect, undefeated season. Dawn also right...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 16 min
What is the primary driver of effective and impactful leadership? Is it from science—or the soul? Is it a more practical, results-driven organizational practice? Or is it an inner, meditative sense of self? This week’s Finding Mastery guest, Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, has spent his career exploring these questions… and his answer is, well, both. Hitendra fuses the mystical history of his Indian roots with the more results-oriented needs of Western business -- bridging the gap between spirituality and ...
Apr 03, 2024•2 hr 37 min
Human exploration of space is driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to understand our place in the universe. The individuals - and teams - on the forefront of this exploration are modern-day pioneers, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and capability. I’m excited to share the final installment of our 3-part series following one of these individuals, NASA Astronaut Dr. Woody Hoburg, on his journey into outer space. In Part 1, we learned about Woody’s rigorous mental and physical preparat...
Mar 27, 2024•2 hr 48 min
Imagine a world where you wake up inspired, feel safe throughout the day, and go to bed at night feeling fulfilled by the work you do. Sounds like utopia, right? Well, Simon Sinek has not only imagined such a world, but he's also dedicated his life to making it a reality. Known for his viral TED Talk on finding your WHY, and his groundbreaking insights on leadership, Simon's ideas have reached millions. As a best-selling author and founder of The Optimism Company, he's on a mission to help us al...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 25 min
We're thrilled to bring you the 17th volume of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) series. This edition dives deep into the essence of motivation, leadership, and the art of creating a positive work environment, all while emphasizing the crucial importance of self-understanding and authenticity. Joining us - as always - is our insightful co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, ready to unravel another set of thought-provoking topics and questions… In today's conversation, we explore: The inner worki...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 4 min
How do you navigate the uncertain terrain of your life? Does uncertainty fuel your drive, or does it bring anxiety that hinders your progress? Our guest today, Amelia Boone, is not only a four-time obstacle race world champion with three World’s Toughest Mudder wins and dubbed “The Queen of Pain” – she also excels as a full-time attorney for a multinational corporation. And, she’s accomplished all this while grappling with not one, but two, lifelong mental health diagnoses -- OCD and an ea...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min
We all have many great conversations in life – conversations where we learn, explore, express, question – but there are some conversations that stand out among the rest. Conversations so rich with insights and revelation, that they fundamentally change you. They inspire you to be better. My conversation with Seth Godin was just that. In this episode, we're diving deep with Seth, the mind behind 21 best-selling books including The Dip , This Is Marketing , and Purple Cow . His latest, The Song of...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 19 min
