Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Anders Ericsson is a Swedish psychologist and Conradi Eminent Scholar and Professor of Psychology at Florida State University who is internationally recognized as a researcher in the psychological nature of expertise and human performance. In This Episode: -His early yearning to understand how knowledge was generated -Seeking a deeper context for learning beyond retaining information -The key to m...

Kai Lenny is one of the world’s most complete watermen. Be it kiteboarding, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, big-wave surfing, or anything else in the water, Kai does it, and does it well. In This Episode: -His parents leading by example rather than telling him what to do -Learning to rise to the occasion from an early age -Not being afraid to stand out -Fighting perfectionism -The difference...

Ryan Holiday is a media strategist and prominent writer on strategy and business. After dropping out of college at nineteen to apprentice under Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, he went on to advise many bestselling authors and multiplatinum musicians. In This Episode: -The concept of parent-child fit and why it was missing for him -Finding the people who understood him in college -Le...

This conversation is with Dan Harris, who most of you know as a co-anchor of “Nightline” and the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” on ABC News -- or 20/20 -- or -- from his New York Times best selling book: 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress without Losing My Edge and Found Self-Help That Actually Works. Dan has faced the public tension, in a panic attack that ha...

Michael Gervais gives his initial thoughts from the last three weeks spent at the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. _________________ Subscribe  to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning:  https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery Get exclusive  discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to:  https:...

James Bond, co-founder of Undefeated, is one of the most recognized and well-curated sneaker boutiques in the world. In This Episode: -Growing up mixed race in a tough Philadelphia neighborhood -The impact his grandpa had on his sense of style -Abusing alcohol & drugs from the early age of 11 -Dealing with anger growing up -Wanting to be someone he wasn’t -Moving from Philadelphia to LA and hi...

Anthony Ervin is a U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, former world record holder in the 50 freestyle, and former World Champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle. In This Episode: -His relationships with others and the water -Family structure growing up and why he wanted to stand out as the middle child -Suffering from turrets and struggling to control his own body -Channeling his anxiety into swimming -What a...

Stephanie Labbe is the goalkeeper for the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team and is headed to Rio for the Olympics. In This Episode: -Picking between sports growing up -Why she supports children playing multiple sports -Striving to be a positive influence and avoiding being an “energy vampire” -What it feels like to be her best -Confronting her coach after being left off the national team -The...

David Yeung is a noted environmental advocate and founder of Green Monday, an innovative social venture that takes on on climate change, food insecurity, health issues and animal welfare with a diverse platform that shifts individuals, communities, and corporations towards sustainable, healthy, and mindful living. In This Episode: -Learning the cost of success from his father at an early age -Figu...

On May 27th, 2016, Colin broke two mountaineering world records; he claimed the speed records for both the Seven Summits (132 days) and the Explorers Grand Slam (139 days), climbing the tallest mountain on each continent and skiing the last degree of latitude to the North and South Poles. In This Episode: -Embracing growing up in a mixed family -Putting in just enough effort to get by in his early...

Jimmy Smith, Founder and CEO of Amusement Park Entertainment, is a creator, who has faced down adversity and celebrates both the humanness and spirituality of people. He has earned countless awards for his work as a Writer and Creative Director for Nike at Wieden + Kennedy, Executive Creative Director at BBDO and most recently, Gatorade’s Group Creative Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA. In This Episo...

Jimmy Smith, Founder and CEO of Amusement Park Entertainment, is a creator, who has faced down adversity and celebrates both the humanness and spirituality of people. He has earned countless awards for his work as a Writer and Creative Director for Nike at Wieden + Kennedy, Executive Creative Director at BBDO and most recently, Gatorade’s Group Creative Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day LA. In This Episo...

This conversation is with Nicole Davis. Nicole represented the United States at the 2008 Olympics and 2012 Olympics, helping USA to a silver medal both times. She was also part of the US team that won the 2014 World Championships. In This Episode: -Learning the hard way about the appropriate time to confront a coach -Focusing on what is controllable -Enduring a difficult family dynamic growing up...

Michael Gervais holds a "State of Finding Mastery" to distill some insights from the podcast so far and explain what's he's excited for going forward. _________________ Subscribe  to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning:  https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery Get exclusive  discounts and support our a...

The conversations we have with ourselves either facilitate or slow down the pursuit to understand potential. It is not the external obstacles that determine one’s path, rather, the process of working with the challenges that accompany all of us who want to “go for it” in life. Nicholas McCarthy was born in 1989 without his right hand and only began to play the piano at the late age of 14. In This...

Alyssa lives fully – thinks deeply – and captures the point of view and insights from people who have chosen adventure as a way of living. She’s trusted by elite action and adventure sport athletes In This Episode: - What defines action sports athletes - Growing up wanting to be Terry Bradshaw - Moving from form to formless - Pitching the “Madden Curse” - How she finds threads to write about - How...

There are no short cuts on the path of mastery and those that carve a path - that has yet be carved - have much to teach us about pushing the accepted norms of what most people think is possible. Pat LaFontaine has done both. In This Episode: -4 ways you can change people -Working from inside-out -Awareness of your thoughts -Having a deep passion for what you do -Understanding the right time to ch...

There are no short cuts on the path of mastery and those that carve a path - that has yet be carved - have much to teach us about pushing the accepted norms of what most people think is possible. Pat LaFontaine has done both. In This Episode: -Growing up surrounded by a hard working family -Being the youngest on his youth hockey teams -What ignited his love for hockey -His role models growing up -...

Dr. Angela Duckworth studies grit and self-control, two attributes that are distinct from IQ and yet powerfully predict success and well-being. In This Episode: -The value of process vs. outcome -How she first came to value grit -Her definition of grit -Impact of self-control on grit -The differences between achievement and mastery -Sunk-cost fallacy -Setting a goal at the right level -Is passion...

When humility, passion, risk taking, mother nature and service collide: Ian Walsh. In This Episode: The purpose of surfing etiquette -Importance of persistence -The moment when everything clicked -Why being able to adapt is the key to surfing -How a vision became a reality -Overcoming a devastating knee injury in Patagonia -A surf trip to Fiji as a turning point in his life -Thriving in the state...

Coach Pete Carroll has a philosophy. It's clear to him. He's found it to be extremely powerful to help himself and others to become the very best version of themselves: Always Compete. He doesn’t talk about past success. He doesn't become consumed with what is yet to come. He lives engaged in maximizing wherever his feet are. In This Episode: -Why having a chip on his shoulder helped shape him -Th...

As a cultural scientist, passionate traveler and science journalist, Kayt Sukel has no problem tackling interesting (and often risky) subjects spanning love, sex, risk taking, neuroscience, travel and politics. In this episode: -Her fascination with the brain -Applying to college at any early age -Conditioned learning vs. guided discovery -Little movements forward to take you the distance -Working...

Fire in the eyes. What does that thought conjure up for you? Katie Holloway describes it as what she feels like when she's at her best. She outlines how she thinks and trains her mind to advance her abilities to become more resilient in the face of adversity. Katie is a competitor. In this episode: -Growing up with one leg in pain and externalizing her frustrations -Family involvement throughout c...

Congressman Tim Ryan knows how to laugh — and — how to serve. He’s designed his life efforts to help our country be better. I hope you’ll enjoy both in this podcast. In this episode: -Dealing with public skepticism of corruption in politics -How grit helped him win his first election -Defying the odds and taking chances -Inspiring others to work hard with him -Dealing with the heartbreak of a care...

Nate graduated high school unsure about his path in life. Looking for a challenge and to make a difference, he made his way to the Darfur region of Sudan to help in the refugee camps. The experience, coupled with his memories of 9/11, inspired him to enlist in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces candidate, and he became one of 11 from his class of 150 to graduate with a Green Beret. He has served in...