Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

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. Imagi...

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 Am...

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...

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 numbe...

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 pod...

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...

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 thir...

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 yi...

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 somet...

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 prac...

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 conve...

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 ro...

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. Davi...

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 DeB...

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) mus...

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 achieve...

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...

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 exp...

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 3r...

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 wi...

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...

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 mil...

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 o...

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 accomplishe...

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...