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
20 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 13min
The Narcissist Expert: How To Spot Them, Survive Them & Why They're Everywhere - Dr. Ramani
Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and leading expert on narcissism, discusses the intricate dynamics of this complex personality trait. She explains how narcissism exists on a spectrum, affecting high performers and relationships. The conversation covers recognizing gaslighting, understanding the interplay of empathy and narcissism, and navigating toxic dynamics. Dr. Ramani offers a five-step framework for managing these relationships and highlights the critical awareness needed to maintain personal well-being. Her insights are a guide for anyone dealing with challenging personalities.
Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 22min
Millions Watched Me Dance — No One Saw My Trauma I Derek Hough
Derek Hough, a four-time Emmy Award winner and six-time Dancing with the Stars champion, shares his journey of overcoming childhood trauma and defining success beyond perfectionism. He discusses how dance served as his emotional outlet during a health crisis and reflects on the shift from seeking external validation to finding internal alignment. Hough emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, empathy, and daily practices in navigating life’s pressures. His insights reveal how connection and collaboration within the creative community can lead to true fulfillment.
59 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 24min
Why Most Relationships Fail (And How to Break the Cycle) — Yung Pueblo
Yung Pueblo, a meditator, poet, and bestselling author, shares his transformative journey from adversity to healing through Vipassana meditation. He emphasizes the importance of emotional maturity in relationships, highlighting three key insights for loving better. The conversation delves into letting go of reactivity, embracing uncertainty, and cultivating compassion as foundational elements for deeper connections. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their emotional growth and the significance of mindfulness in nurturing relationships and personal well-being.
73 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 1h 16min
What AI Can't Replace: The Ancient Skills That Will Save Us | Soren Gordhamer
In this conversation, Soren Gordhamer, Founder of Wisdom 2.0 and author of 'The Essential', shares profound insights on navigating life in the age of AI. He discusses how early identity struggles can shape our current challenges and emphasizes that true fulfillment goes beyond mere achievement. Soren advocates for inner power and presence as essential tools against modern distractions. He explores the significance of vulnerability in relationships and the necessity of reconnecting with authenticity to thrive in a tech-driven world.
56 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ask Me Anything: Finding Purpose, Raising Resilient Kids & Navigating Workplace Politics | Vol. 27
Yogi Roth, an author, podcaster, and football analyst, joins the conversation to tackle pressing questions about authenticity and parenting. They discuss how to maintain integrity in tricky workplace politics and emphasize that a meaningful purpose can be as simple as being a great parent. Insights into empowering children through resilience, self-efficacy, and allowing them to face challenges are explored. Roth also highlights the value of connecting to something bigger than oneself to combat achievement addiction and foster true fulfillment.
42 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 39min
How Not to Die | How Alex Honnold Trains His Mind to Stay Calm 3,000 Feet Above Ground
In a captivating dialogue, legendary climber Alex Honnold shares insights into his mental strategies for staying calm while free soloing towering cliffs without ropes. He discusses how fear and risk are essential components of performance, shedding light on the lifesaving balance of ambition and caution, especially in parenting. Honnold also reflects on the transformative power of optimism, mental visualization techniques, and how personal experiences shape his approach to achieving greatness under pressure. His wisdom resonates well beyond the climbing world.
16 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 16min
The Mindset Shifts That Built a Billion Dollar Brand — TheRealReal's Julie Wainwright on Reinvention & Leadership
Julie Wainwright, a pioneering entrepreneur, transformed her career after facing public failure as the CEO of Pets.com. In her 50s, she built The RealReal into a billion-dollar luxury resale brand. She reveals how embracing failure fueled her resilience and innovation. Julie discusses the necessity of self-honesty in reinvention and how to navigate the challenges of leadership amid uncertainty. She also shares insights on building a strong company culture and the vital mindsets required for success in today’s rapidly changing world.
103 snips
Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 11min
From Jordan to Kobe: The Keys to a Championship Mindset with Mindfulness Coach George Mumford
George Mumford, known as “The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer,” has transformed the careers of basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. In this engaging discussion, George reveals how dark moments can spark profound transformation and the vital role of mindfulness in achieving peak performance. He emphasizes that true strength stems from self-awareness and service, while also sharing insights on turning challenges into opportunities for personal growth. George's wisdom will inspire anyone striving for excellence, whether in sports or everyday life.
12 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 1h 1min
How to Lead Through Crisis—Building Trust, Courage, and Culture at Alaska Airlines | Ben Minicucci
Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines, shares his values-first approach to leadership, highlighting the balance of care and accountability during crises. He discusses the importance of emotional transparency and meaningful relationships in fostering a positive culture. Minicucci emphasizes authenticity, encouraging vulnerability and open dialogue to enhance collaboration and navigates the complexities of safety versus profit in aviation. His insights on courageous leadership and cultural integration post-acquisition are particularly enlightening.
53 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 57min
Cognitive Psychologist: Break Free from a Victim Mindset | Scott Barry Kaufman
In this engaging discussion, Scott Barry Kaufman, a humanistic psychologist and bestselling author, explores the impact of a victim mindset on personal growth. He breaks down the difference between victimization and mindset, highlighting how subtle cognitive patterns can limit our potential. Scott emphasizes the power of self-awareness and personal responsibility in overcoming challenges and fostering resilience. Listeners are encouraged to shift their internal narratives toward empowerment and trust in themselves to navigate life’s hurdles.
