Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews

Ep. #1171: Dr. David Yeager on Helping Youth Build Confidence & Succeed

Oct 16, 2024

In this conversation, Dr. David Yeager, a behavioral scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, delves into the motivations of young people. He emphasizes the crucial role of social status and respect in boosting confidence. Dr. Yeager shares fascinating insights from his book, highlighting effective strategies for engagement and support. The discussion covers how to balance high expectations with nurturing, the mindset shifts needed for parents and mentors, and rethinking stress to foster success in young adults.

55:24

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Episode guests

David Yeager

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Quick takeaways

Understanding the significance of social status and respect is essential in motivating young people to thrive academically and socially.

Adopting a mentor mindset, which combines high expectations with emotional support, fosters optimal growth and better performance outcomes in youth.

Reframing stress as a positive signal of readiness helps young individuals enhance their performance and resilience during challenging situations.

Deep dives

Adolescence as R&D for Life

Adolescence is likened to the research and development phase of life, where young individuals experiment through trial and error to discern societal values and garner acceptance. This process often involves navigating difficulties, which should not be misconstrued as a sign of failure; rather, it can indicate that a crucial part of personal development is taking place. For example, a student grappling with a challenging subject may be seen as progressing through this R&D process, akin to Thomas Edison's numerous attempts before inventing the light bulb. Recognizing this perspective fosters resilience and encourages young people to embrace struggles as opportunities for growth.

Intro

2min

Debunking Fitness Myths and Promoting a Practical Approach

4min

Youth Motivation and Psychological Dynamics

12min

Mindsets That Shape Youth Guidance

6min

Navigating Fat Loss and Mentorship

5min

Mentorship and Skill Development in Basketball

23min

The Power of Daily Choices in Health and Fitness

3min

What motivates young people? How can we help young adults boost their confidence and self-esteem?

In this interview, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. David Yeager, a leading behavioral scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, who specializes in youth motivation. He shares insights on the psychological traits of young people, how motivation evolves with age, and practical strategies to help them thrive.

Dr. Yeager also discusses his recently released book, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, which provides ground breaking insights into effectively engaging and supporting young adults.

In this interview, you’ll learn . . .

The importance of social status and respect in youth motivation

Balancing high standards with strong support for optimal growth

Reframing stress for better performance and success

Essential mindsets for parents, mentors, and educators to support young people

And more . . .

So, if you're interested in practical strategies for engaging and motivating young minds, click play and join the conversation.

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Timestamps:

(06:22) Kid's psychological peculiarities

(09:38) Importance of status

(13:42) Early social experiences