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
34 snips
Jan 8, 2024 • 20min
002 - The Coach Up: How to Set Better Goals
Behavioral scientists Brad, Steve, and Katy Milkman discuss goal-setting in the new year. They cover open vs. specific goals, big vs. small goals, the what the hell effect, mindset shifts, and metaphors for goal setting. They also explore the impact of confidence, unrealistic expectations, and the benefits of setting ambitious goals with a little bit of slack. A mini masterclass on goal setting is included.
32 snips
Jan 4, 2024 • 1h 2min
001 - Inside the (Joyful) Mind of Elite Ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter
Elite ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter talks about her unprecedented accomplishment of winning three iconic 100-mile races within 10 weeks, while maintaining a rare mixture of joy and intensity. She shares her mindset towards embracing the 'pain cave' and her unique visualizations and mantras. Courtney also discusses the power of belief, taking risks, refreshing rituals, and maintaining a healthy relationship with running.
Jan 2, 2024 • 4min
Welcome to FAREWELL, Premiering January 4th (Trailer)
FAREWELL is a podcast about performance, delivering insights, habits, and practices to help you fare well. It features interviews with high-level performers and explores the power of the human mind.
4 snips
Dec 27, 2023 • 48min
203 - Is Motivational Speaking a Scam?
Steve, Brad, and Clay discuss the impact and limitations of motivational speaking, the importance of daily practices for lasting change, and the role of community in motivation. They explore different approaches to change and reflect on purposeful hard work. The speakers emphasize the significance of diversifying tools and not relying solely on motivation.
Dec 20, 2023 • 53min
202 - End of Year Roundtable: Habits We Started, Goals We Have, Trends We're Buying/Selling
The hosts discuss habits they started in 2023 and share their physical goals for 2024. They explore the benefits of disconnecting from digital devices and the importance of sprinting in fitness. The analogy of weightlifting and reading publications is discussed, along with the brain's ability to make predictions and the importance of context in understanding emotions.
39 snips
Dec 13, 2023 • 50min
201 - This Book Changed How We Think About Performance and Anxiety
Mark Epstein, author of 'Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart', joins the hosts to discuss his book's impact on mental well-being and peak performance. They explore topics like creating space between thoughts and reactions, letting go of the self, embracing uncertainty and anxiety, and learning to be with discomfort.
Dec 6, 2023 • 35min
200 - Strategies to Maximize Your End-of-Year Health
Clay and Steve discuss strategies for maximizing health during the holiday season, including the importance of consistency in training and gradually building momentum. They also address staying active and motivated during the pandemic and provide advice on building a new exercise regimen.
4 snips
Nov 29, 2023 • 1h 12min
199 - The Arrival Fallacy: Why Chasing (and Achieving) Success Doesn't Always Lead to Happiness
The podcast discusses the concept of the Arrival Fallacy and the pursuit of goals not leading to lasting happiness. It explores the challenges athletes face in transitioning or retiring. The importance of taking breaks, maintaining balance, and finding meaning in pursuits is emphasized. The significance of loving the process and seeking internal validation is discussed. The importance of striving for greatness and building relationships is highlighted.
Nov 22, 2023 • 57min
198 - How to Strike the Balance Between Self-Compassion and Self-Discipline
The podcast discusses the importance of balancing self-compassion and self-discipline. They share stories from a running club, talk about the dangers of a running and drinking event, and explore strategies for finding the right balance. They also discuss challenges, including drinking responsibly and setting goals.
Nov 15, 2023 • 58min
197 - Why we're on the Internet (but not of the Internet)
Where do you get your news? Today, the guys chat about World Alienation, The Algorithm, Active vs. Passive experiences, and retaining your Humanity within the Attention Economy.“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Viktor E. Frankl / Rollo May-You can find this episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcher Get Master of Change, Do Hard Things, and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Master of Change here Hard Things here and Groundedness here). Please write a review on Apple Podcasts and help new listeners discover the show! Find Brad, Steve, and Clay on Twitter: @Bstulberg, @stevemagness, and @clayskipper Check out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
