How Leaders Lead with David Novak #250: Dr. Michael Gervais, Renowned high-performance psychologist and founder of Finding Mastery – Train your mind
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Jul 31, 2025 
Dr. Michael Gervais, a renowned high-performance psychologist and founder of Finding Mastery, unlocks the skills behind confidence and resilience. He emphasizes that these traits can be cultivated, sharing mental strategies used by elite athletes and top CEOs. Dive into his personal journey from a Virginia farm to psychological mastery and learn about the importance of purpose and identity. Discover how emotional regulation and optimism can enhance leadership, and gain practical exercises for boosting your own performance and team dynamics!
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Farm Childhood Shapes Mindset
- Michael Gervais grew up on a Spartan farm in Virginia with very hands-off parenting.
- Natural consequences and mother nature were his teachers, shaping his independent mindset.
Anxiety Fueled Early Fighting
- Michael faced frequent fights growing up due to anxiety he couldn't express otherwise.
- After his wife challenged his violent ways, he committed to working on his anxiety and emotional health.
Decouple Identity from Performance
- To manage anxiety, separate your identity from your performance; you are not defined by what you do.
- Shift from a performance-based identity to a purpose-based identity to unlock freedom and fulfillment.
