
excellence, actually
"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.
Latest episodes

Sep 20, 2023 • 44min
189 - Reflections on Launch Week
Steve Magness unpacks the initial reception of Brad Stulberg’s new book Master of Change and the guys discuss successes, failures, best seller lists, grinding a half marathon and more. You can find this episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcherGet your copy of Master of Change in all formats here: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Change-Everything-Changing-Including/dp/006325316X Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here). Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show! Find Brad and Steve on Twitter: @Bstulberg and @stevemagness Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 13, 2023 • 29min
188 - Competition and The “Win at All Costs” Mentality
Brad and Steve discuss the “Win at All Costs” Mentality, Capitalism, Competition, and the Gini Coefficient.You can find this episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcherGet your copy of Master of Change in all formats here: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Change-Everything-Changing-Including/dp/006325316X Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here). Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show! Find Brad and Steve on Twitter: @Bstulberg and @stevemagness Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 snips
Sep 5, 2023 • 1h 18min
187 - Master Of Change
In this episode, Brad, author of Master of Change, discusses his new book and its ties to Growth Equation principles. They delve into topics such as embracing change, developing a new model called allostasis, exploring identity and self-complexity, balancing multiple areas of focus, cyclical time and diversifying goals, the process of writing a book, and the power of routine and primary reporting.

10 snips
Aug 30, 2023 • 26min
186 - Four Types of Recovery
Steve Magness, an expert in recovery and performance, discusses the four types of recovery: soreness, flatness, fatigue, and lethargy. He shares specific tools and strategies for each type, including stress reduction techniques, practical tips for improving recovery, and approaches to address underlying causes of chronic fatigue.

5 snips
Aug 23, 2023 • 52min
185 - The Mental Health of Endurance Athletes
The hosts discuss mental health in endurance athletes, including eating disorders and exercise addiction. They share personal strategies for dealing with sleep issues and reflect on the meaning of running. The chapter explores the ethics of performance-enhancing drugs and the importance of referencing research. They also speculate on athletes' attitudes towards aging and make a playful bet.

7 snips
Aug 16, 2023 • 27min
184 - Hitting “The Plateau”
The podcast explores the concept of hitting plateaus in personal growth and provides strategies to overcome them. It emphasizes the importance of patience, perspective change, and seeking professional help if needed. Strategies for making progress include making small changes, taking breaks, and considering different approaches. The podcast also discusses hitting plateaus in different aspects of life and the need for finding balance. The hosts highlight the complexity of being stuck on a plateau, the hindrance of trying too hard, and offer reassurance that being stuck is temporary.

6 snips
Aug 9, 2023 • 24min
183 - How and Why We Choke
On today’s episode, Brad and Steve explore why and how we choke, personalizing failure, flow vs. clutch states, and turning down your alarm.You can find the episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcherCheck out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here.Pre-order the new book Master of Change. Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here).Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show!Find Brad and Steve on Twitter: @Bstulberg and @stevemagness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 2, 2023 • 59min
182 - A Master Interviewer on How to Ask Great Questions
Clay Skipper is a profile writer and interviewer; most recently for GQ. On today’s episode, he chats with Brad and Steve about his background, interview process, and all other things reading and writing related. Referenced in this episode; Clay’s profiles on Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins.You can find the episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcher Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here. Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here). Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show! Find Brad and Steve on Twitter: @Bstulberg and @stevemagness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 snips
Jul 26, 2023 • 26min
181 - How We Use Technology
Here’s how Brad and Steve are using technology. This episodes covers boundaries, social media, and the pros and cons of being Amish.You can find this episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcherCheck out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here.Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here).Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show!Find Brad and Steve on Twitter: @Bstulberg and @stevemagness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 snips
Jul 19, 2023 • 49min
180 - Taking It Easy
It’s hard to shut down when our rest and recovery becomes performative. Here’s how Brad and Steve are taking it easy. You can find this episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcherCheck out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here.Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here).Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show!Find Brad and Steve on Twitter: @Bstulberg and @stevemagness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.