Brad Stulberg, known for mental health and sustainable excellence, discusses topics like redefining success, social support in sports, contrasting mindsets in athletes like Jordan and Duncan, and stress management for athletes with real-life examples and insights on achieving greatness.
Balanced coaching tailored to individual personalities optimizes performance outcomes.
Transition from fear-driven competition to curiosity-based motivation fosters sustainable success.
Social support from a competitive yet communal environment enhances athletic performance.
Embracing vulnerability, continuous learning, and growth mindset are crucial for athletic development.
Deep dives
Brad Stilberg's Diverse Coaching Practice and Multifaceted Career
Brad Stilberg's coaching practice encompasses entrepreneurs, physicians, executives, and athletes, providing a varied mix of pursuits. Additionally, he holds a faculty position at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, focusing on personal and professional flourishing rather than just the absence of disease.
Reflections on Past Athletic Experiences and Coaching Styles
Stilberg reflects on his past as a competitive athlete and the impact of both positive and negative coaching styles on his development. He acknowledges shortcomings stemming from competitive drive rooted in insecurity and contrasts effective coaching methods with those driven by fear and authoritarianism.
Navigating Insecurities and Shifting Motivations in Athletic Performance
Stilberg delves into the origins of his insecurities, stemming partially from childhood experiences, and how they influenced his drive for performance. He explores the transition from competing out of insecurity and fear to embracing competition from a place of love, curiosity, and openness, emphasizing the importance of shifting motivations.
Creating Supportive Environments for Optimal Performance and Competition
Stilberg emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals in athletic endeavors to harness social support for optimal performance. He highlights the power of a competitive yet communal environment, drawing parallels to endurance athletes' enhanced performance when competing against friends or training partners.
Balancing Win-Oriented Mindsets with Fulfillment and Personal Growth
Stilberg discusses the dichotomy between a win-at-all-costs mentality and a process-oriented, growth-focused approach to success. He advocates for achieving success without sacrificing fulfillment, emphasizing the journey, relationships forged, and personal growth as integral components of long-term sustainable peak performance.
Promoting Patience and Holistic Development in Achieving Athletic Success
Stilberg addresses the essence of patience in pursuing long-term athletic goals, cautioning against rushing timelines and overemphasizing immediate results. He draws attention to the benefits of a balanced approach that integrates personal and skill development over time, emphasizing the importance of playing the long game to sustain peak performance.
Identifying Individual Needs and Balancing Focus in Coaching Practices
Stilberg acknowledges the individual differences and temperaments in athletes, advocating for a balanced coaching approach that tailors strategies to suit each player's unique personality and needs. He emphasizes the importance of creating environments that align with players' characteristics to optimize performance outcomes.
Embracing Vulnerability, Acceptance, and Continuous Learning in Athletics
Stilberg delves into the principles of vulnerability, acceptance, and ongoing learning as cornerstones of athletic development and growth. Encouraging athletes to embrace vulnerability and seek continuous improvement, he underscores the significance of cultivating a mindset that nurtures personal advancement alongside athletic success.
I am excited to be joined by Brad Stulberg in this episode. Brad researches, writes, and coaches on mental health, well-being, and sustainable excellence.
Brad is the author of the best-selling books Master of Change and The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of the books Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox. These books explore the art, science, and practice of motivation, values-driven excellence, and maximising one’s potential - all the while realising a more fulfilling and sustainable kind of success. His latest book, Master of Change, became an instant national bestseller. All told, his books have sold more than 500,000 copies and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Brad is a regular contributor at The New York Times, and his work has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, and The Washington Post, among other publications.
He regularly speaks to large organisations on topics related to excellence, resilience, performance, and overall well-being.
Brad is co-creator of The Growth Equation, an online platform dedicated to defining and realizing a more fulfilling, genuine kind of excellence and sustainable success.
In his coaching practice, Brad works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being.
Brad is also on faculty at the University of Michigan’s graduate school of public health, where he focuses on health, human potential, and excellence.
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