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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast "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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast “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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 
