Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Conquer Fear, Find Fulfillment & Prepare for the Worst - Lessons from a Legendary Astronaut | Chris Hadfield

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Jan 3, 2024

Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield shares his experiences, including going blind during a spacewalk. He discusses his philosophy of preparing for the worst, using competence to conquer fear, and making daring dreams a reality. The episode explores the impact of science fiction on identity and aspirations, the awe-inspiring feeling of a spacewalk, and the importance of preparation, training, and problem-solving. Hadfield emphasizes the significance of recognizing the collective effort and being a good teammate.

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INSIGHT

Fear vs. Danger

Fear and danger are distinct concepts; anticipate failure for success.
Calmness amidst preparation allows appreciation of life's magnificence.

ADVICE

Finding Your Passion

Explore bookstores/libraries, identify sections you gravitate towards.
Pursue related activities, deepening knowledge and skills in areas of interest.

ANECDOTE

Spacewalk Blindness

Chris Hadfield experienced temporary blindness during a spacewalk due to contaminated tears.
He maintained calm by focusing on problem-solving and relying on training.

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Imagine this... you're a NASA Astronaut. You're on a spacewalk, floating in the vastness of outer space, and suddenly... you go blind.

What do you do?

You might recognize today’s guest, Chris Hadfield, from his viral video on the International Space Station, where he performed David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' – a performance that garnered over 35 million views worldwide.

But Chris is so much more than a musical talent in orbit. He's not only a retired NASA astronaut but also a skilled engineer, a former combat pilot, and a New York Times bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction works.

One of his standout books, 'An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth,' is a must-read for every high performer. In it, he shares an unconventional philosophy: 'Prepare for the worst—and enjoy every moment of it.' It's a mindset I find incredibly powerful, and I think you will, too.

In our conversation, we dive into Chris’s rich experiences, including a harrowing story where he was struck blind while clinging to an orbiting spacecraft. I think you’ll love his practical approach to maintaining calm in what must have been one of the most high-stakes situations imaginable.

We also explore how he uses competence as a tool to master fear, his strategies for problem-solving and teamwork, and his step-by-step approach to making even the most daring dreams a reality. His stories are a masterclass in thriving across diverse environments – in space, business, sports, and family life.

This episode is one I'm sure I'll revisit multiple times, and I'm pretty confident you'll feel the same.

I can’t wait to share with you Chris's insights, which offer a practical and inspiring roadmap to achieving peak performance, deep fulfillment, and a purpose-driven life.

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