excellence, actually
Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, & Clay Skipper
"excellence, actually" is a podcast from The Growth Equation, hosted by Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, and Clay Skipper. Drawing on their years of working and corresponding with Olympians, coaches, executives, world-class physicians, and other elite-level achievers in their coaching practice and professional careers, they give you the mental and physical tools, practices, habits, and frameworks used by the best in the world in the pursuit of excellence. Each episode will give you concrete ideas and tips to use in your life immediately to help you become more meaningfully engaged in the pursuits that support your goals and your values. This is not the performative nonsense that is peddled online by grifters and influencers, but the evidence-based systems that work for the best in the world. This is excellence, actually. (This podcast used to appear under the name FAREWELL.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
105 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 52min
The Way of Excellence: Inside Brad's New Book
Brad Stulberg, a performance coach and author, dives into his new book, The Way of Excellence. He shares how the book’s inspiration stems from a life-changing trip to the Himalayas and explains that excellence isn’t perfection, but deeply caring about what matters. Insightful stories from athletes and creators illustrate the importance of rituals, gumption, and the fear of vulnerability. Brad emphasizes focusing on daily practices and trade-offs that lead to a fulfilling, excellent life, making this conversation a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone striving for greatness.
45 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 38min
Why Your Routine Might Be Working Against You
Explore how routines can empower peak performance or hinder it if rigidly followed. Learn why elite athletes prefer simple warmups over complex rituals. Discover the 'training wheels' concept to recognize mental states and alternatives when routines falter. Adapt routines to match task intensity and simplify decision-making to reduce overwhelm. Unpack the three-by-three practices for balance and flexibility. Finally, see routine breakdowns as opportunities for growth, not failures.
83 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 35min
New Year, Same BS: How to Build Habits That Actually Stick
Did you know 91% of New Year's resolutions fail? Learn how to make lasting habits by focusing on values-driven goals instead of just outcomes. Discover the power of starting small and designing your environment to support good habits. The conversation emphasizes enjoying the process and finding activities you love to ensure consistency. Procrastination? It's okay to manage it, not eliminate it! Small wins, enjoyable practices, and a supportive community are key to success in your journey of habit change.
251 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 44min
26 Lessons on Excellence to Jump Start 2026
Discover 26 powerful lessons designed to elevate your pursuit of excellence as 2026 approaches. Engage deeply with pursuits that align with your values and redefine your approach to discipline, treating the process of work as the true victory. Learn to embrace repetition and discomfort while finding joy in the journey, and prioritize intrinsic growth over external accolades. Explore the importance of curiosity, flexible routines, and wise modeling while focusing on building a career characterized by cumulative achievements.
47 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 1h 1min
Best Of: Courtney Dauwalter — Inside the (Joyful) Mind of an Elite Ultrarunner
Courtney Dauwalter, an elite ultrarunner famed for her record-setting wins, shares her unique insights into endurance and joy. She reveals her experience tackling three iconic 100-mile races in just ten weeks, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and a growth mindset. Courtney also discusses her innovative mental strategies, like the 'filing cabinet' method for problem-solving, her transformation of suffering into opportunity, and how she incorporates joy into her intense training, reminding us to embrace challenges with enthusiasm.
9 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 47min
How to Push Your Limits, with World-Champion Climber Sasha DiGiulian
Sasha DiGiulian, a world champion rock climber known for her incredible ascents including the first female free climb of 'Platinum' on El Capitan, shares her journey through adversity. She opens up about overcoming her fears, managing pain, and the surprising clarity climbing brings amidst chaos. Sasha also discusses enduring a storm while stuck in a portaledge for nine days, the mental tools she uses to cope, and her insights on embracing gratitude in challenging times. With a focus on sponsorship and paving the way for future climbers, her story inspires resilience and positivity.
77 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 45min
"It's Never All Bad:" How to Suffer (with Matt Fitzgerald)
In this engaging conversation, endurance athlete and author Matt Fitzgerald shares his journey of mastering the art of suffering. After a long hiatus from running, he faced his fears of pain and developed mental toughness. Matt discusses his mantra, 'it's never all bad,' and how he reframes negative emotions into opportunities. He also reflects on the lessons learned while training through long COVID and the importance of being never satisfied in pursuit of growth. Tune in for valuable insights on resilience and self-acceptance!
42 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 48min
The Talent Episode: Is Greatness Born or Built?
Dive into the riveting debate of whether greatness is born or built, highlighted through college basketball case studies. Discover how environment and grit shape talent, and learn about the crucial balance of nature and nurture. Explore common missteps in identifying talent early, and why late bloomers deserve recognition. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of fostering a growth mindset over innate ability and the value of supportive coaching. Finally, find practical advice for parents and athletes aiming to unlock their full potential.
47 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 40min
Q+A: On Bad Habits, Post-Race Fitness, and “Boring” Work
Listeners get insightful advice on managing intense work without falling into bad habits. The hosts dive into the balance between fleeting happiness from achievements and the search for lasting fulfillment. They tackle the challenge of finding meaning in tedious tasks and emphasize that every job has its boring moments. Differentiate between normal fatigue and chronic exhaustion in training is discussed, alongside strategies for post-race recovery. They encourage treating recovery as an experiment, blending data with personal experiences.
156 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 41min
The Mental Fitness Playbook: Resilience, Regulation, and Flexibility
Explore the vital components of mental fitness: resilience, emotional regulation, and psychological flexibility. Discover the myths surrounding mental toughness, like toxic positivity and learned helplessness. Learn how community can aid in disaster recovery and the importance of meaning in managing stress. Gain insights from meditation research and ultra-running metaphors that highlight coping mechanisms. Embrace emotions as valuable information and practice psychological flexibility by aligning actions with values, even in tough times.
