#970 - Dr Mike Israetel - Exercise Scientist’s Masterclass On Motivation, Habits & Discipline

631 snips

Jul 21, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Mike Israetel, an Exercise Science Professor and Renaissance Periodization co-founder, unpacks the neuroscience behind motivation, habits, and willpower. He explores how to set effective goals and the importance of balancing discipline with flexibility in fitness routines. Listeners gain insights on cultivating inspiration, embracing manageable habits, and recognizing the psychological effects of ambition. With humor and relatable anecdotes, Dr. Israetel offers valuable strategies to build resilience and enhance productivity in daily life.

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00:00 / 00:00

Two Categories of Tasks

Tasks split into two categories: ones you feel like doing and ones you don't.
Evaluate each task by its impact on your future self before deciding.

00:00 / 00:00

Inspiration as Starter Fuel

Use inspiration as a kickstart, not a sole driver.
Relying only on grit, discipline, or willpower first is a mistake.

00:00 / 00:00

Inspiration from Disabled Basketball Kids

Mike gained inspiration from watching disabled kids play basketball passionately.
That fueled his own motivation to stop procrastinating and get active immediately.

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Dr Mike Israetel is a Professor of Exercise and Sport Science at Lehman College and the Co-Founder of Renaissance Periodization.

How do you boost motivation and actually follow through on the things you know you should do, but don’t feel like doing? The answer isn’t more stimulants, thankfully, it’s something far more grounded in neuroscience and behaviour. Today, Dr Mike Israetel breaks down the science of willpower in a way that works for the average person and can even help make your daily life much more productive.

Expect to learn the science behind willpower, habits & motivation, the de facto two kinds of things you should be doing with your time, how to know when its time to do things you actually feel like doing versus making yourself do things you don’t feel like doing, how to integrate habits that improve your life and get rid of the ones that don’t serve you, how to improve your willpower, how to become more antifragile and build your resilience, and much more…

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