The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst How Erase The Fear That's Secretly Destroying Your Potential & Confidence | Dr. Michael Gervais
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Aug 18, 2025 
Dr. Michael Gervais, a high-performance sports psychologist, shares insights on overcoming the fear of people's opinions that can stunt confidence and potential. He discusses finding purpose in adversity and the importance of resilience and self-awareness. Gervais redefines failure and success, emphasizing personal growth over traditional metrics. He highlights the fragility of time, the power of presence, and the rising mental health challenges children face, advocating for mindfulness and support.
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FOPO Is The Hidden Potential Killer
- Fear of other people's opinions (FOPO) is a primal survival mechanism that now constricts potential more than physical threats.
- FOPO persists because rejection once meant near death, so our brains still hypervalue peer opinion.
Build Purpose Around Three Simple Legs
- Define purpose with three legs: it must matter to you, be bigger than you, and sit in your future.
- Treat purpose as flexible — set a purpose for now instead of one immutable calling.
Use The Three C's To Weather Adversity
- When adversity hits, apply the three C's: control what you can, see the situation as a challenge, and commit to the work.
- Prepare in calm waters by training psychological skills and strengthening connections.
