Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais
Dr. Michael Gervais
Dive into the minds of the world’s greatest athletes, leaders, thinkers, and doers with Dr. Michael Gervais—a high performance psychologist and world-renowned expert on the relationship between high performance and the mind. Dr. Gervais’s client roster includes Super Bowl winning NFL teams, Fortune 50 CEOs, Olympic medalists, internationally acclaimed artists, and more.On Finding Mastery, Dr. Gervais sits down with the best at what they do, like David Goggins, Brene Brown, Toto Wolff, soccer legend Abby Wambach, neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella — translating their life stories, mental skills, and personal practices into applicable tools you can use to unlock your potential.Walk with us to the edge of human possibility and learn what you are capable of. New episodes every Wednesday.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 31, 2025 • 1h
How to Build (and Repair) Love: The Gottmans on What Every Couple Should Know
In this enlightening conversation, John and Julie Gottman, pioneers in relationship research, share their insights from decades of studying love. They discuss how daily rituals can deepen intimacy and the importance of turning conflict into connection. The Gottmans highlight the Four Horsemen that predict relationship breakdowns and propose actionable steps to foster communication without defensiveness. They emphasize the power of small bids for connection and the role of quick repairs in maintaining a healthy partnership.
Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 2min
How to Get Unstuck in Life — Lessons on Love from Sharon Salzberg, Meditation Pioneer
Join Sharon Salzberg, a leading teacher of mindfulness and bestselling author, as she explores the transformative power of love and kindness. She emphasizes love as a trainable ability, reshaping our relationship with compassion. Discover why self-kindness outperforms harsh critique and how loving-kindness can enhance high-performance teams. Sharon also guides a practical loving-kindness meditation to help you foster connection and resilience. Her insights remind us of our capacity for growth and the importance of discerning fear with kindness.
28 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 2min
This Is Why You’re Tired, Stressed, and Not Healing | Biohacker, Dave Asprey
In a riveting conversation, biohacking pioneer Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof, shares his transformative journey from obesity to wellness. He discusses the power of listening to your biology instead of pushing through fatigue. Dave reveals how neurofeedback and meditation aided his recovery from personal collapse. He links mitochondrial health to emotional regulation and provides insights on the importance of darkness, sunlight, and personalized approaches to health. With a mix of science and self-awareness, he reshapes our understanding of vitality.
46 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 7min
What Microsoft’s Culture Shift Can Teach You in 2026 | Kathleen Hogan
In this engaging conversation, Kathleen Hogan, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Microsoft, discusses her transformative role in reshaping Microsoft's culture. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, curiosity, and purpose in leadership, drawing on her personal experiences, including overcoming cancer. Kathleen shares insights on fostering psychological safety in teams and the positive role of AI in enhancing human potential. Ultimately, she highlights that effective leadership is rooted in care, not just knowledge.
13 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 22min
The First Openly Gay NBA Player On the Power of Courage, Leadership, and Empathy | John Amaechi
In this conversation with John Amaechi, the first openly gay NBA player and an organizational psychologist, he shares insights on courage and leadership. John discusses the challenges of visibility, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and the cost of authenticity. He reflects on his journey, from grappling with his identity to the emotional labor of navigating stereotypes. With a focus on empathy and community, he redefines success as lifting others while staying true to one's principles.
28 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 7min
How To Live the Good Life - Lessons From The Longest Study On Happiness | Dr. Robert Waldinger
Dr. Robert Waldinger, a Harvard psychiatrist and director of a landmark happiness study, reveals that investing in relationships is crucial for health and wellbeing. He explains the concepts of hedonic and eudaimonic happiness, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections over mere pleasure. Waldinger discusses the dangers of loneliness, likening it to smoking, and introduces 'social fitness' as a way to maintain relationships. Leaders are urged to foster connection at work, highlighting that nurturing meaningful relationships leads to a more fulfilling life.
8 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 59min
Olympic Gold Medalist: Other People Were Killing My Confidence (And How I Got It Back) - Caroline Marks
Caroline Marks, the 2023 World Surf League Women's Champion and 2024 Olympic gold medalist, shares her journey of rebuilding confidence after setbacks. She discusses the importance of emotional awareness and how therapy and family support helped her recover from the heartbreak of the Tokyo Olympics. Caroline emphasizes the need for balance between ambition and inner peace, and the role of trust in relationships. She also offers advice on loneliness and body image struggles, highlighting the power of gratitude and presence in high-pressure situations.
4 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 12min
Beyond Lieutenant Dan: Gary Sinise on Love, Loss & Legacy
Gary Sinise, Emmy Award–winning actor known for his roles in Forrest Gump and Apollo 13, shares his journey from self-focused success to heartfelt service. He reflects on how a high school theater spark led to founding Steppenwolf, revealing how feelings of inadequacy drove his purposeful action. Sinise discusses the impact of portraying Lieutenant Dan, motivating his mission to support veterans, especially after 9/11. He opens up about his family's health challenges, embodying the roles of caregiver and 'battle buddy' while honoring his late son through music.
Nov 10, 2025 • 59min
Bonus Episode: Aaron Lazar & Dr. Michael Gervais on the Mastery of Self and the Journey to Reverse ALS | Impossible Dreams Podcast
In this heartfelt conversation, Aaron Lazar, a Broadway actor and ALS advocate, shares his inspiring journey of resilience and healing. He and Dr. Michael Gervais discuss the importance of mastering oneself over mere performance, emphasizing practices like gratitude and self-talk. Aaron reframes the concept of 'beating' ALS into one of healing, while exploring spiritual connections to health. They highlight the power of community and support in facing adversity, and Aaron’s innovative use of AI in researching ALS reversals compels listeners to dream impossibly.
17 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 51min
How a $120 Billion Company Thinks Like a Startup | Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services
In a fascinating discussion, Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services, shares insights from leading a $120 billion cloud powerhouse. He emphasizes the value of psychological agility over mere technological advancement. Garman introduces the 'one-way vs. two-way doors' decision model to expedite smart choices and champions the concept of a 'minimum lovable product.' He humorously critiques the notion of replacing junior employees with AI, advocates for long-term energy strategies, and highlights the importance of optimism in leadership. Dive into strategies that keep innovation vibrant!
