The Daily Stoic

Steve Magness on Winning The Inside Game

Feb 8, 2025

Steve Magness, a world-renowned performance expert and author, shares insights on the mental aspects of high-level achievement. He emphasizes the power of intrinsic motivation over external validation for personal success. Magness discusses the importance of mental resilience, self-awareness, and the psychological impacts of performance expectations. He contrasts healthy sports cultures with toxic parenting in athletics, advocating for supportive environments that prioritize joy and personal growth. This enlightening conversation inspires a deeper understanding of the mental game in performance.

01:02:48

Episode guests

Steve Magness

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Steve Magness emphasizes that the mental aspect of performance, including intrinsic motivation, is crucial for achieving success in any field.

The difference between confidence and ego is essential for understanding how self-perception influences performance under pressure and competition.

Incorporating Stoic practices such as self-reflection and physical discipline promotes both mental resilience and peak performance in various endeavors.

Deep dives

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Intro

2min

Embracing Stoicism Through Daily Reflection and Movement

2min

Mastering the Inside Game: Physical and Mental Regulation

2min

Mastering the Mental Game for Success

2min

The Power of Fundamentals in High Performance

14min

The Power of Intrinsic Motivation in Personal Growth

4min

Building Resilience Through Hobbies

14min

Navigating Self-Evaluation Challenges

6min

Psychological Pressures in Performance and Self-Awareness

3min

10.

Self-Awareness vs. Self-Consciousness in Performance

16min

11.

The Risks of Toxic Parenting in Sports

5min

In his work as a performance expert, Steve Magness has discovered that to truly reach the highest level in any field, it’s the mental game that matters most. Steve joins Ryan today to discuss intrinsic motivation, the difference between confidence and ego, and the psychological impact of performance expectations.

Steve Magness is a world-renowned expert on performance and author of Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving, and Free Yourself Up to Perform. His writing has appeared in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Health, and a variety of other outlets. Steve’s expertise on elite sport and performance has been featured in The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and ESPN The Magazine.

Check out Steve’s new book Win The Inside Game and grab signed copies of Steve’s books, Do Hard Things, Passion Paradox, Peak Performance, and The Science of Running at The Painted Porch.

You can follow Steve on Instagram, X, and YouTube: @SteveMagness

Listen to Steve's first interview on The Daily Stoic Podcast: https://dailystoic.com/steve-magness/

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